The New York herald., 1861-12-17
OUR BEAUFORT CORRESPONDENTS.

BEAUFORT, D. u, DOC. Z 1861
Occupation Of Beoufor Ly Union 2toops-Dcals Of the
Landinc-yhirmish ,ctth Rebel Cdralry-Sceae in Benu
for-rnsrcics 10 soldiers Relative 10 Pirae Proper
ty-A Bouqc in the Streets gf Beaufor-Descrip,ioa Of
Me Viltdge, dc.
Tho Hrst regular landing Of troops hore IN force
took place las, night about nine O'clock when formal pos
session taken Of the town. Tho troops detailed for
the expedition consisted Of three regiments viz-Fr
tieh regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Roundhead
Pennsylvania regiment and Eighth Michigan. Tho
advance was formed by the Fiftieth regiment, com
mandcd by Col B. @. Chrsts, who up in tho steamer
Ben Deford. gunboat led the way, to point out the
channel, which s winding and intricate Immediately
upon landing picket guard, composed Of ton
ectsd from each company. thrown out beyond the
outskirts Of the town slight brush took plsce between
them and squad Of roboi cavalry Ono Of our mon was
shot by pistol bali tn the mock, and was seriously
wounded On the other sde two of the rebels sup
poaed have fallen, two horses with empty saddles
afterwards found Tho force Of the rebels was pro
badly SMALL but owing to the darkness and the timber
around their number could not DO well estimated
won't ashore at the nrst opportunity and started OF
with comrade to take quie, stroll by ourselves Never
have experienced such impressive sconc Por.co'
pillar and colonade Of stately mansions rose before ie
thrown out in strange, mystical relief by the
light Of the young moon But no lights wi,ui,
no football heard no hum Of voices that told OF happy %
cupsnts-a spell had faen--al siil as the grave
silent as the catacombs. We turned corner and sud
denly the stiffness broken by the harsh yoice Of com
mand q Attention. battalion, ioadl' and directly the
sharp ratng Of muskets from the long line Of troops
drawn up in battle array aescd but too we'll the cause
| Of tho sad fate or " Tho Deserted village
Before landing General sherman had given strict ana
pcrompoy orders to the troops that no house should be
bu nnAp
priatcd without special permission undcr severe penalty
Tho troops in consequence had 10 bvouac for the rest
! the night on the soft white sand.
Daylight discovered strange sights; muslets were
stacked in the middle Of the srects camp fires burning
and squads Of soldiers bearing evident marks Of the M
,igue Of night duty, were cooking their rations Tho
debris OF plundered articles scattered about and
/ open doors and windows marked whore the negroes
in their unrcstrained saturnala had riocd aud raged
But comparatively few OF the "contrabands were seen
in and abon tho town. the of them having gone on
with their masters TO the plantatons Those remaining
garruous enough In their accounts Of tho flight Of
"maSsa and missis."
Beaufort is we'll known Of the old arstocratic
towns OF colonial datc and importance. its Inhabitants
were generally people wealth refined hosptabe and
courteous who passed alternately the here and
the winters on their plantations Trade and commerce
were pretty much ignored and few marks exist Of
its having been commercial place. few stores and
warehouses are seen and two small docks probably az
forded ample room for the steamboats, that brought Tie
| planters their stores from Charleston or Savannah
Noyertleless il presents very IsetY view FROM the
river ID its comfortable, substantial looking mansicns
huu Wlu0 phZZas Nesting amid
groves OF live oak, with the peculiar long, waving noes
give dolce for nWe appearance suggestive Of quie,
happiness and repose.
The most stylish houses built on the river front
With prettiy laid out gardens adorned with shrubbery
and beautiful flowers blooming oven at this season Of
the year Roses are in prouson Of overy Variety Of
both red and white. One largo, venerable looking
house, with its antique hipped roof, semi.
circular wings, having the appearance OF towers
winding steps, solid door and brass knocker, seemed
memeno and exponent Of former pamy days. 1t is still
in good preservation and the well furnished parlors with
piano. music, ottomans, &C., indicated the style Of its
former occupants as we'll a. proving the haste OF their
flight The negroes had spared from piiage apparently
and probably from glut Of plnnder
VISITED some Of tho churches--thc principal Of which
IL the Episcopala plain edice Of brick pastered TO re-
senblo stone, having square tower front with dial
plates for clock The interior in good order books
cushions and fans we're left in tho pcs showing that the
piiager. whoever he might bc had thus FAR respected
the Divine injunction placed in tho semcircular recess
The pastor was the Rev. Dr. Walker, Judged from
notice picked up in tho chancef The arsenal building
about 100 feet long and nifty wide plain structure Of
brick, with dentated batlements. high outer wall ia
built 10 the Same style. The yard was filed with rubbish,
and long thirtytw0 with tho trnnons knocked on bore
evident marks OF tho destructive visit Of Captain Am
mons men, Of the gunboat Scncca, on the 14th ut.