, 1861-11-09
Besufe1t and Port Royal.

Assuming that Sheruan's expedition Is to
strike its frst blow at Port Royal, on the
South Carolina coast, it will be interesting to
know sometbing.of region that will thus be-
ccme suddenly famous in the eyes Of the
~crld. Port Royal entrance is the finest har-
ber Of South Caroline, ard one Of the noblest
i1lsnd waters of the whole South. It Is rs
miles from Charleston, and fifteen miles from
the entrance to SAVANNAH. For depth Of |
water and safety Of anchorage it is even un-
surpassed south Of Hampton Roads. Tbs na- |
7iss Ct tie world might be here accommo oda-
ted with perfect ease Port Royal was, Indeed,
tha original point Of settlement, Of South
Carolins, in 1870; and 1t became subordinate
to CEarleston and Savannah only because Of
its position at the eontbern extremity Of the
Slate, too fat from the centre Of trade for
South Carolina, and too near the only good
Labor Of Georgia. Sixteen miles from the
sea is the town Of Beaufort, the water ap-
proacn Of which does not admit vessels over
eleven feet draught, Beaufort is buiit on the
west bank Of the Port Royal River, a narrow
l14nch cfthe ocean, fifty miles northeast Of
Savannah and 1ffty-Gye southwest Of Charles.
tor. The town is cid, with less than thou
Eard inhabitants, and Of FIR lesa importance
in trade now than its namc5ake Of North Car
Gina There is no strong petition near the
town capable Of rebel occupation or defence
4 few miles back Of Beaufort ia the railroad
connecting Charleeton and Savannah, itself
approacLable by Port Royal Inlet and st.
Helena Sound. The whole Of this region
should be studied en- The map, as it has quite
an amphibious character. The mouths OF the
rivers and the 1nle:s OF the ocean i1closes
number Of islan6s Of considerable size, among
which may be mentioned Hilton Head, St.
Hs!e1a ard Port Royal.
The possession Of the iine ha1b0r Of Beau
1ert or Port Royal thus gives command o.
one Of the most important, aad fox the de-
signs Of the army Of the Union has in view in
EakiDg + Judgement on the Southern coast
most advantageous bases Of operation in en-
tire reheldon. Beaufort District has an area
cf !, $40 equare miles The surface is low aud
level, and the soil sandy and alluvial, produ-
cirg cotton, rice, etc, in great abundance
Our troops will thus find themselves lodged
! in the richest district {South Carclfna tenn
1or county in the State-yieldIng some fifty
million pounds Of rice annually, and thirteen
thousand bales Of the finest quality Of cotton,
the famous long staple Sea Island, the very
kind Europe most wants. Here are over eiz
million do1lars worth Of crops, subject At
once to con6scation, If their proprietors per
s:at in their disloyalty. It is also one of the
most thickly settled districts Of the State, ths
!: population in 1850 being 38 ,805. OF these nc
lces than 81, go are negro slaves-a prepers,
representing twenty million dollars. Il. .is on
this spot that the shaded maps Of negro dis
,, t1ibution show the nightliest shade. "
shaH thass literally carry the ,ozr into africa
The place is admirably suited for vast cam
: OF instruction, and with proper defences 4
, will not be found difficult to hold this Who'll
t district sgainst any force the rebels can brin
a against us. What a splendid nucleus Q
l. oyalty in the very heart Of the birthplace q
J. secession!