The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-11-20
The Battle of Port Royal.

best conducted battles, which have sig
nalized the war in which we are en-
gagged.
If Gen. Ripley bad been appointed a
! General in command two months sooner,
every thing would have been in better
state Of preparation. But these two pre-
vious months were wasted in doing moth
ing for our defence. Within the time
left to him, Gen. Ripley did all that uu-
firing energy and skill Gould accomplish,
to put our coast in the state Of partial
preparation our enemies will encounter.
The two islands OF Hilton Head and
2ay Point, with their extreme limits,
constitute the two points which guard
the entrance to Port Royal Sound, abou,
three miles in width. On these two
points, two Forts were erected-Fort
Walker on Hilton Head-and Fort Beau
regard on Bay Point. The time we pos
sessed, enabled us TO make them only
earthworks, without any protection from
shells or bombs.
The Island of Hilton Head WAS com
manded by Gen. Drayton. The officers
Immediately experimenting the artillery
and conducting the fire of Fort Walker,
were Col. Wagener, Major Arthur Hu-
ger and Capt. Yates, Of the regular ser,
vice, especially detailed by Gen. PipIey
to aid in directing the ar,ilIey. Col.
Dunovant commanded at Fort Beaure
gard, but he generously allowed Capt
Elliott, Of the Beaufor, Artillery, to d
rect and conduct the batteries Of the
Fort
The dav was beauliful-calm and
clear, with scarcely cloud in the heav
ens-just snch dsr as our invaders
would have ordained. If they could, to
carry on their operations.
In such sketch Of the battle as, amid
the excitement and thousands Of base.
less rumors, we are enabled 10 present to
our readers a brief review Of the earlier
events Ct this memorable week will not
he uninteresting.
PRELIMINARY OPERATIONS OF THE ENEMY.
The great feet Of the enemy passed
our Bar on Sunday, the 81 inst, and on
the following dav was anchored of Port
Royal entrance. About 4 o'clock on
Monday afternoon, Com. Ta,nall, with
his "mosqui,o fleet" ran out from the
harbor and made the frs, hostile demon.
stration. The immense armada Of the
invaders, numbering, at that time, thirty
six vessels, was drawn ~ in line OF bat.
tie ; and as our little flotlla steamed
brskiy up to within q mile OF them.
and opened ito fire, the scene was an in.
spiriting one, but almost ludcrous, in the
disparity Of the size Of the opposing
fleets. The enemy replied to our fire all
most Immediately. After an exchange
OF some twenty shots, Commodore Tat
nall retired, and was not pursued.
About seven o'clock on Tuesday morn.
ing, several OF the largest Yankee war
steamers having come within range, the
batteries Of Fort Walker and Beaure-
gard were opened, and the steamers
threw number Of shells in and over
our works, inhicting no damage upon
For: Walker, and but slightly wouuding
two Of the garrison Of Fort Beauregard.
This engagement lasted, with short inter
walls, for nearly two hours, when the enc.
my drew of. The steamers made sim
liar, but shorter reconooisance, on Wed.
nesday evening, but without any impor.
tsnt results. On the next day (Wednes.
day., the weather was rough, and the
fleet lay at anchor FIVE or six miles from
shore. During the day, several s,rag.
Cling transports came up, swelling the
number Of vessels to forty one. All Tues
day night, and all day Wednesday, and
Wednesday night, our men stood to their
guns, momentarily expecting an attack,
and obtaining only such scsnty rest and
refreshments as chance afforded.
THE DAY OF THE BATTLE.
Thursday dawned g.orionsly upon our
wearled but uuaaunied gunners, and all
fe! that the day Of trial had at last ar
rived. Scarcely had bre kfast been des
patched, when the hostile feet was OBJ
served in commotion Tie grea. war
steamers formed rapidly 10 single Gle,
and within supporting distance Of each
other, the frigats Minnesota. the flag ship
ol Com. Dupont, in the van. As the
long line Of formidable looking vess.s,
thirteen in number, most Of them power.
ful propelIers, with few sailing men Of.
war iD tow. swept rapidly and majestic.
ally in. with ports open and brsllinQ
with guns Of tho heaviest calibre. The