Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-11-22
Our Late Naval Expedition.

important and encouraging reports we
have from our fleet and army on the coast
of South Carolina. The preparation and
sailing of this expedition excited the deep
est interest throughout the country. Upon
success or failure of this armament, the
fortunes of the war for long time were
universally acknowledged to depend. A
great feet had been fitted out at great
expense, and large army embarked on
board of it, and were committed not only
to the chances of the battle but to the
hazards of the storm of the sea. After
some days of deep anxiety the country is
cheercd with the news of the complete
success of the expedition.
On the 9TH Of this month the feet CON-
menccd a cannonade on the forts ON the
island of Port Royal, in South Carolina,
and after an action of only about four
hours, large force of rebels, amounting
to three or four thousand. were precipitate-
ly driven from their strong Notifications,
with comparatively little loss on our side.
This was blow struck in the right place,
and at the rig ht time. On the tn of
November. 1860, as soon as the telegraph
had flashed over the country the news
of Lincoln's election, the rebels of
Charlcstown, S. c., in their madness and
fury tore down the flag of our country
and commenced war which we have rea-
son to fear will be of the most Importance
and disastrous to human progress and
happiness known in the annals Of the
world
On the 9TH of November 1861, that
flag is reinstated in one of their most i'm
por.ant towns, supported by a feet of for
ty or fifty SAIL and an army Of twelve or
fifteen thousand men. The State which
had been the first to incite and commence
this mighty evil, had vainly hoped that
the desolations of war had been removed
far from her borders, and if the war could
not be waged in the hated states which
held to the doctrines of universal liberty
and equal rights, that at least it would be
carried on in the remote and border states
of their rebellious confederacy. But the
sword which she has so recklessly drawn,
is now aimed at her own vitals. The poi
soned cup which she had prepared for
others is now presented to her own lips.
The Importance of this conquest can
now hardly be estimated. Port Royal is
one of the most important points on the
southern coast 1t is situated in one of
the richest cotton and rice districts of the
South, where their "patriarchal institu-
ton " has long fourished, and the slave
population out numbers the free in the
proportion of five or six to one. All the
indications of this expedition are as ia
vorable at present as could be desired.
A post is obtained where our northern
troops can carry on winter campaign
with far less exposure of their health than
on either bank of the Potomac or the Ohio.
Forti6cations which the rebels with much
skill and labor have erected, are now in
our hands and will afford sure protec-
ton to our troops. A way is opened for
the supply of cotton, which it was sup
posed the world so much needed, that the
South, through the agency of King Cot
ton" could secure their independence and
give law, not only to us but to the world.
The cotton crop of that section will now
be brought forward and sold at Port Roy
al, or our navy and army will help them
selves to it without the formality of pur-
chase. The effects of the institution of
|
slavery, as shown by this invasion thus
far, appear to be such as the most sau-
guine abolitionist could hope for or pre-
dict. The entire white population of the
island appear to have all fed to Charles
ton. In the town of Beaufort, hut one
white man was found, and he was too
drunk to escape with the rest. The ne
gro slaves, unmindful of the obligations
TO their masters, according to the latest
advices, appear to be rejoicing in the hope
of liberty welcoming the invaders, and
worse still, are plundering the deserted
houses of their masters to whom they
have been represented to be 50 loving and