The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-19
THE BATTLE OF PORT ROYAL.
From the Charleston Mercury.

one of the best fought, and best conducted bat
ties, which have signalized the war in which we
are engaged.
The two islands of Hilton Head and Bay Point,
with their extreme limits constitute the two points
which guard the entrance to Port Royal Sound,
about three miles in width. On these two points,
two forts were erected-Fort Walker on Hilton
Head and Fort BcauregarG on Bay Point. The
time we possessed, enabled us to make them only
earthworks, without any protection from shells or
bombs
The island Of Hilton head was commanded by
Gen. Drayton. The officers Immediately super
intending the artillery and conducting the fire of
Fort Walker, Col Wagner, Maj Arthur
Huger aud Capt Yates, of the regular service,
especially detailed by Gen. Ripley to aid in d.
recting the artillery. Col. Dunovant commanded
at Fort Beauregard, but he generously allowed
Capt Elliott of the Beaufort Artillery, to direct
and conduct the batteries of the Fort
The day beautiful-calm and clear, with
scarcely cloud in the heavens-iust such day
our invaders would have ordained, if they could,
to carry on their operations.
In such sketch of the battle as, amid the ex-
element and thousands of rumors we are enabled
to present to our readers, a brief review of the
earlier events Of this memorable week will not be
uninteresting.
The great fleet of the enemy passed our
bar on Sunday, the 3rd inst , and on the following
day was anchored off Port Royal entrance About
4 clock on Monday afternoon, Commodore Tat
NALL with his ''mosquto fleet" ran out from the
Harbor and made the first hostile demonstration.
The immense armada of the invaders number
ing at that time, thirty-six vessels, was drawn ap
in line of battle; and our little fotia steamed
brlskly up to within a mile of them, and opened
Its hte, the scene was an inspiratng one. but al
most udlcrlous in the disparity of the size of the
nnnO InCyH he
most immediately After an exchange of some
twenty shots, Commodore Tatnall retired, and was
not pursued.
About seven O'Clock on Tuesday morning, sew
eral OF the largest Yankee war steamers having
come within range, the batteries of Fort Walker
and Beauregard were opened and the steamers
threw number Of shells in and over our works.
no damage upon Fort Walker, and but
slightly wounding two of the garrison of Fort
Beauresard. This engagement lasted with short
for nearly two hours, when the enemy
drew off. The steamers made similar but short
er reconnaissance, on Wednesday evening, but
without any important results, On the next day
the weather was rough, and the feet lay at anchor
veor SIX miles from shore. During the day, |
several Struggling transports came up, swelling |
The number OF vessels to forty-one. All Tuesday |
night, and all day Wednesday, and Wednesday |
night, our men stood to their guns, momcntarily |
sxPectIng attack, and obtaining only such scanty
-est aud refrcshment chance afforded
Thursday dawned gloriously upon our wearied
1ut undaunted gunEers, and all felt that the day
If trial had at last arrived Scarcely had break
asst been despatched, when the hostile fleet was
observed in commotion. The great war steamers
ormed rapidly IN single file: and within supporting
distance OF each other, the frgate Minnesota, the
lay ship Of Commodore Dupont, in the van As
he long lneof formidable looking vessels, thirteen
n number, some Of them powerful propellers, with
few sailing men of-war in tow, swept rapidly
nd majestically in, with ports open and bristng
With guns Of the heaviest calib re, the sight was
;rand and imposing. This was at half.pas. eight
clock Until the Minnesota same within the
ange OF and directly opposite to our batteries on
Hilton Head, all was still. Suddenly, the fifteen
eavy guns of Fort Walker, which had been aimed
lrectly at the huge trigste, belched forth their
lmultaneous fire and the action was begun. {
Almost Immediately afterwards, the batteries of {
Tort Beauregard, the other side of the entrance
lso opened their fire. The enemy, at first, did t
OF reply. But as the second steamer came op-
oslte to Fort Walker, the bulls of the first three
'ere suddenly wrapped with smoke, and the shot !
nd she'll of three tremendous broadsides, making, ,
4 all, seventy-fve guns, came clashing against ;
ur works From this moment, the bombardment !
as terrific and ncessant. One by one the pro- +
ellers bore down upon forts, delivered their !
re as they passed, until nine bad gained the in :
erlor Of the Harbor, beyond the range of our r
uns. The Minnesota, still followed by the others,
hen turned round and steamed slowly out, giving :
broadslde to Fort Beauregard as she repassed ;
hus the battle was continued, tie enemy's YES :
lis sailing in eleptcal curve, pouring one r
roadside into Bay Point, and then sweeping =
round to deliver the other against Hilton Head ,
his furious fire from some four hundred guns. =
ANY OF them Of the 1l-inch Dahlgren pattern,
nd some even of the 13-nch bore, (for sabot q
that diameter found in Fort Beauregard,l -.
as maintained necessarily, and the roar Of the can
1nade seemed most continuous Meanwhile our
arrisons made gallant defence. They kept up =
vigorous and we'll directed FIRE against their as
lsnts, and notwithstanding that their best gun .
as dismounted at the beginning of the action, \
icy succeeded in setting fire to several of the n
hls, Whenever this happened, however, the !;
lemy would haul off and e1tinguish the flames.
he effect of our guns was, in many instan.
s, plainly visible from the forts Although o
lie sides of the Minnesota arc of massive strength Y
veral of her ports were knocked into one Nor |;
as she the oniy vessel upon which this evidence Fl
the power of our fire could be SEEN Many of s,
lie other steam ers were likewise badly huled c
After some time spent in calling round and de- c
Vering their broadsides in rotation, in the man. t.
II We have described, the enemy's steamers i
opted another and more successful plan of at d.
ok. One of them took position inside the p
rbor so enhlade the batteries of Fort Walker oil
lic several opened a Simultaneous enflading FIRE.
% of the largest steamers maintained the FIRE