Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-25
NUMBER 126.
VISIT TO BrAUYoRr-Tur S.osors prlLIorso

On Saturday last in pursuance Of the orders Of
Flag-0fcer Dupont, the gubboats Sereca Lieutenant
Gem nsndng David Ammen ;Pembina, Lieutenant Gem
msuding John Bankhead; and the Curlew, Lieutenant
Whortmough, proceeded up the Beaufort River 10
noitre tske possession of the ghboats which had
been removed there early in the The boats pro-
ceeded rapidly up the stream cleared for action, and
ready for any emergency but the banks OF tie river
found deserted, save by groups Of negroes who
were observed to upon the novel sight OF three war
vessels bearing the Stars and Stripes on South Carolina
waters With curiosity il not With lively fear. No whites
could be seen and defences Of ary kind cosd be de-
sered besides battery Beaufort where the guns
had been taken out aud transferred 10 Bay Point
On arriving at point about a hall q mile distant
from Beaufort, quite a number of persons were OBJ
served to leave the village and hastily TO take to the
woods. Soon thereafter, on approaching the village
little nearer Captain Ammen Of the Seneca, sent Lieu
terant Sprosom In boat to the shore, with flag OF
truce TO communicate with the people and 10 assure them
of perfect safety to their persons and property ard in
vtng them 10 return TO their homes On landing, Lieu
tenant Sproisom met by number of negroes, who
seemed greatly rejoced TO see him. and who cheered
Justify for the Stars aud Stripes. They informed Lieu
tenant Sprotsom that there but whites left in
the village and took him to one who met the Leuten
ant at the door OF bis store waving flag Of truce, ard
exhibiting in his every indication Of deep fear.
This man, Northerrer By BIRTH reported that the
groes peecly Wild and plunderng stores and
dwellings wan'only destroying property Of every kind
and carrying of everything Of portable character that
they could lay their hands upon.
The negroes reported that the rebel force which lately
occupied the forthcstiors on st. Philips Island had,
with the Beaufort Artillery, retired in hasty manner 10
Port Royal ferry, about ten miles Distant where there
force Of about one thousand men.
On these facts being known to Captain Ammen he
returned to her and reported them TO Commodore Du
pont who immediately ordered the Unadia Captain Col
lins the senior oicr Of the gunboats 10 proceed 10
Beaufort and suppress any that the negroes
might commit in their fjsts retsste against their
masters and TO take particular pains 10 the white
inhabitants that bad intention 10 disturb them in
their rights in the Enjoyment of private property aud
10 the spirit Of these nstuctons and in accordance with
these principles to every effort TO store confidence,
to bring the people back TO their homes, when order
should be re.establshed and personal safety and the
rights Of private property secured to all We have lot
beard from the Unadia yet but there will be
exceses committed II Commodore Dupont and the forces
under his control prevent IT, and am eu.e that Gen.
era Sherman is controlled by the Of duty.
THg coSrRABASDs.
While the Seneca returning boat load OF negroes
came aboard the vessel and they distinctly inform
ed Captain Ammen that We had not come for the pur
pose Of taking them away from their masters nor Of
obging them continue In q state OF slavery, and thst
they might 60 to Beaufort or TO Hilton Head as they
pleased T1ey left saying that they would return to
Beaufort and make arrangements TO remove and they
thought that all the slaves would down to Hilton
Had Some Of them have already arrived, and others
will pour in here until shall be overrua by them
Nesly two hundred contrlbands have already arrived
within our lines and the accessions increase daily.
LIGsTBoATs DESTROYED.
l. was a.cerained that both of the ghtboas for which
the gunboats burned by the rebels mme-
ately after they had received intelligence Of the cap
ure Of Fort Walker and Battery Beauregsrd, on Bay
Point So one of the Objects of the expedition not
accomplished.
THE FLEKr REPAIRING.
The squadron will not long remain idle, but the brill.
liant succ already gained will be followed up, and eve
~ advantage gained before the tremendous moral effects
Of the late victory die out The repairs TO the feet made
necessary by the injuries received n the late contest
being made rapidly as possible. The wound in.
hicted in the man-mast Of the Wabash will be finished
and properly secured and shot holes in the various
sells comprising the squadron engaged in the action are
all being repaired as fast as possible ln few days the
deet will be ready to engage another battery or series
OF batteries.
TIE sUsQUEHAsNA AND vASDALIA.
The Susqu.hanna rgate sailed yesterday for Charet
ton where she goes bockadng service until the tim
comes for a new exhibition Of her powers. The bark
Gem Of the Seas has sailed for North Edlso where che
will enforce the blockade The Vsndalia (oopofwar,)
Commander Haggerty, leaves tomorrow for New York
for repairs.
THE TROOPS, STORES, ETC.
On Hilton Head island matters are progressing slow
IT, The troops all ashore, but they do not seem to
fall into the traces well they might. Until dis
cipline, and rigid discipline is enforced We might as
/
the present force. But must make allowance for the
tu mol aud trouble that mark the landing Of forces AZ
ter two veets' life shpboard Alter little they will
again conform themselves TO the necessities OF the occs-
sion, and become good and efficient soldiers The Slight
excesses committed by the soldiers on the island vhen
when they first landed have very properly been checked
The Conmissary ind Qlartermaster OF the division.
are having largo and commodous storehouses erected
on Hilton Head, to preserve the immense quantity oil
provisous ready be landed from the transports here
deck is to be built alongside Of which vessels Of light
drsusht msy be brought As IL "a now, everything Is
conveyed In small boats to point near the beach, and
then carried some distance through the water by rand
70 safer Iice, whence Il drawn in wagons 10 s des-
tination.
SHOTS rIcHAxGKD.
We have had one or two interviews with the rebels
within day or two past, n which there have been
ew shots exchanged but with particular results
either side The enemy are within five ten miles Of
~, in small deiachments They are doubtless receiving
renorcements daily and they may in short time COM
b,ne ard present formidable frors We have no rea-
on TO fear that we shall be driven Of the position
we have acquired but there does not appear to be that
active preparation for what must surely come tina. tie
importance Of the position would call for.
rHr wFArHrR AND cLIEArE.
The weather bas been delightful since our arrival here.
TIE climate IL delicious, and all the spendors OF ihs
indian summer add beauty TO sky, sea and the gre,
shores of the bay Magnificent orange groves are forrd
within short distance OF our camp, and the ru which
quite abundant /, OF an excellent qualty There are
thousands OF bushels of sweet potatoes within our lines,
| upoo which our men are feastng. Cotton and sugar
cane fields the former white with bursting balls and The
latter pe and golden maise to be found on the
Island. Indeed, every thing-about US seems To be -
pleasant as one could desire. There could be no more
desir.b bic spo. for winter quarters for troops-
SENATOR JAMES PHELAN w MISSISSIPPI
The ne~ Confederate Senator from Mississippi is ent.
tel we think, 10 something warmer from the press Gf
Alabama than the mere formal announcement Of bis
lection. He Il a native Aabaman and, besiees, he q
me of,a having served bs trade a printer In the
Ds,noerat Office at Huntsville where he born and af-
erward conducted the Fog ofhs Union, ct Tukalooss,