Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-11-21
from flag officer Dupont, to the assistant secre-
tary of the navy.

/ ing events of our passage, my faith never gave
way, but at some moments everything sremet
appalling. On the other hand permit no elo
tion at our success yet cannot refrain from
telling you that it has been more complete and
/ brilliant than ever could have believed possi
bic. have been too fatIgued to send an off.
cial account of the battle. Ny report is Gul
| up to the eve of it, ard | think will interest
| you, but | had to content myself with a sue.
cinct account, which will forward in time for
the secretarys report.
Il kept under way, and made three turns
| Though passed five times between the forts
had Hawking division OF five ships to watch.
| Old Tatnall had eight small and swift steamers.
ready TO pounce on any of ours should they be
disabled. could get none of my big fripates
up. thought the Sabine would have rot eleor
up to the st. Lawrence. | sent no word, how
ever, and the Savannah was blown off, do
not regret it now, except on their account.
believe my plan was clever | stood against
the side, and had the management the better
in consequence. The rebels confidence was ex-
treme that they could drive us away. They
fought brayely, and their rifle guns were weil
served An eighty pound rifle ball went
through the Wabash's mainmast in the very
centre, making an awful hole. They aimed nj
our bridge, where they knew they could make
hole if they were lucky. A shot in the CEN
tire let water into the after magazine, but [
saved one hundred lives by keeping under way
and bearing in close. We found their sirhts
graduated at 600 yards. When the rebels once
broke, the stampede was intense, and not a
gun was spiked. In truth | never conceived
of such fire as that of the Wabash on her
second turn, and am told that its effect upon
the spectators outside of her was exciting.
Il learn that when they saw our flag flying
on shore, the troops were poweress to cheer,
but wept. Gen. Sherman was deeply affected,
and the soldiers are loud and unstinting in their
expressions of admiration and gratitude. did
not allow the victory to check our ardor, but
despatched some vessels under Capt GILES ov-
er the other side. To-day sent an expedition
to Beaufort to save the light vessels, but they
were fired instantly after the surrender. have
already boat at Sewell's creek, and commu-
nication between Savannah and Charleston is
cut off.
Beaufort is deserted. The negroes are wild
with joy. They have been shot down, they say
like dogs, because they would not 90 off with
their masters. The defensive works are most
scientifically constructed, and there is nothing
like Fort Walker on the Potomac
The official reports Of Com. Dupont and Gen.
Sherman add little to the foregoing accounts.
The commentator bestowed upon the men by
the Commodore, appears in the following order
issued at the close of the action -
GENERAL ORDER No. Flag ship Wa
bash, Hilton's Head, Port Royal Bay, Novem-
Der 8, 1S6l.-lt is the grateful duty of the COM
mander in chet, o make public acknowledge
ment of his entire commendation of the cool
ness, discipline, skill and gallantry displayed
by the officers and men under his command in
bp Of ba boft ot
and Bay Point, after an action of four hours
duration. The flag officer fully sympathizes
with the officers and men of his squadron in
seeing the ensign of the United States flying
once more in the state of South Carolina, which
has been the chief promoter Of the wicked and
unprovoked rebellion which they have been
called upon to suppress.
(Signed0 S. F. DUPONT, Flag Officer, &c.
FEDERAL KILLED AND WOUNDED.
The following casualties occurred, according
to Com Dupon'ts report, during the engage
ment which resulted III the capture of the bat
teries at Hilton Head and Bay Point.
Wabash-Killed one, Thomas Jackson, cox
swain, captain OF gun. Slightly wounded,
two, Alfred llornsby, seaman, and William
Wall, seaman.
Susquehanna-Kille two, John p Clark,
orderly sergeant, and William Price, second
coalheaver. Wounded seriously, one, Samuel
l.. Smart, first class boy. Wounded slightly,
two, Patrick Dwyer and Samuel Holbrook, sec
pnd grade.
Pawnee-Killed, two, John Kelly orderly
sergeant, and Wm. II. Fitzhugh, first class boy
Wounded slightly. three, Alfred Washburne,
masters mate, Jacob House and Patrick Qun,
ordinary seamen.
Mohican-Killed, one, John A. Whittemore,
third assistant engineer. Wounded seriously
three, w. Thompson, Isaac Seburn, acting mas
ter, and Sherman Baseom, ordinary seaman.-
Wounded slightly, four Waylalnl Cuthbert, Sd
assistant engineer, John o. Whitman, masters
mate, John w. Townsend aud Charles Brown,
ordinary seamen.
Bienyille- Killed two Patrick McGuigan
and Alexander Chambers. Wounded slightly
three, Peter Murphy, Alex. Fiery, and William
Gilchrst
Semnoe-A few slightly wounded, the num-
Der not reported.
Total killed, 81 wounded severely 6 woun-
ded slightly II. Killed and wounded 81.
Gen. Sherman's Proclamation.
After landing and taking possession Of the
forts on Friday Gen Sherman issued the fol-
lowing proclamation -
"Io the people Of South Caolina-In obe-
dience to the orders of the President of these
United States of America, | have landed on
your shores with small force of National troops
The dictates of duty which under the consii-
tuition | owe to eat sovereign State and to
a proud and hospitable people, among whom
have passed some Of the pleasantest days of my
life, prompt me to proclaim that we have come
among you with no feelings of personal imos-
ity, no desire to harm your citizens, destroy
your property, or interfere with any of your
lawful rights, or your local social institutions,
beyond what the causes herein briefly alluded
to may render unavoidable. Citizens of South
Carolina, the civilized world stands appalled, at
the course you are pursuing appalled, at the
crime you are committing against your own
mother, the best, the most enlightened, and
heretofore the most prosperous of nations.-
You are in a state Of active rebellion against
the laws of your country. You have lawlessly
seized upon the forts, nrsenals and other prop
erty belonging to our common country, and
within your borders. With this property yon
are in arms, and waging Il ruthless war against
your constitutional government, and thus are
threatening the existence of government
which YOU are bound by the terms of the sol
emn compact to live under and faithfully sup
port. In doing this you are not only under
mining and preparing the way for totally de-
stroying your own political and social existence,
but you are threatening the civilized world
with the odious sentiment that self-goyernment
is impossible with civilized man. Fellow citi-