Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-11-20

dered the hour late before it possible to
move with the attacking squadron In ouy
anxiety to get the outline of the forts before
dark we stood in too near this Shoal and the
ship grounded. BY the time she was gotten
off it was too late in my iudgmentto to proceed,
and | made signal for the squadron to an
chor ont of gunshut from the enemy.
To day the wind blows gale from the
southwark and eastward, and the attack is
unavoidably postponed.
| have the honor to be sir,
Respectfully your Ubedient sarvant,
S. +. DuPoNT,
Flag Officer CONG. S Atlantic Squadron.
Commodore Dupont's Second DespotcA.
BLoCKADiNG FLEET, FLAG SHIP WABASH,
or Hilton Head Port Roydt Hdr6or,
November s, 1861.
Hon. Gideon Helles, Secretary Of tie Nary,
Washington:
SRI have the honor to infrom you that
Yesterday attacked the enemy's batteries IN
Bay Point and Hilton Head d-Forts Beaure-
gard and Walker-and succeeded in silencing
them after an engagement Of four hours du-
ration, and driving away the squadron OF
rebel steamers under Commodore Tatnall.
The reconnaissance of yesterday made 10
acquainted with the superiority Of Fort Wal
engaging it at a distance OF first eight hun
dred yards, and afterwards six. But the plan OF
attack brought the squadron sufficiently near
Fort Bcauregard to receive It's fire. and the
ships were frequently lighting the batteries
on both sides at the same time
The action was begun on my part at tweh-
| ty-six minutes past nine, and at half past two
! the american ensign acas hoiSicd on the fog
staff Of Fort Wqiter. and this morning at
sunrise on that of Fort Beauregard.
! The defeat of the enemy terminated in their
utter rout and confusion ; their quarters and
encampments were abandoned without any
attempt to carry away either public or private
property. .
The ground over which they fed was strewn
with tie arms of private soldiers, and officers
retired in too much haste to submit to the
encumbrance Of their swords
Landing my marines and company of
seamen, | took possession of the deserted
ground and held the fort at Hilton Head til
the arrival of Gen. Sherman, to whom had
the honor to transfer its occupation.
We captured forty three pieces CT cannon;
most Of them are of the heaviest cahbre and
of most improved description The bearer
of these dispatches will have the honor to
carry with him .he captured flags and two
small brass field pieces lately belonging to the
as suitable trophies of the success of the day u.
enclose herewith copy of the general or
der which is to be read in the feet to morroW
morning at npStec.
A detailed account of the battle will be
submitted hereafter.
| have the honor, to be very respectfully,
Your most obedent servant,
Signed s. f. DUPoST,
Flag Officer Commanding
South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
p. S.-The bearer of dispatches will also
carry with him the first American ensign
raised upon the soil of South Carolina since
the rebellion broke out s. T. D.
General Order, No 2.
FLAG SHIP WABASH, HILTON HEAD,
Port Royal, November 9Th, 1861.
1t is the grateful duty Of the Commander
in-Chief to make public acknowledgment OF
his entire commentator of the GOODNESS, dis
cipline, skill and gallantry displayed by the
officers and men under his command mt the
capture Of the batteries on Hilton Head and
Bay Point after an action of five hours dura-
tiQn.
The Fag officer fully sympathizes with the
officers and men Of his squadron in the salts
faction they must feel at seeing the ensign oi
the Union flying once more In the State o.
South Carolina, which has been the chief pro
moter of the wicked and unprovoked rebel
lion they have been called upon to suppress
Signed 5. +. DUPONT,
Q Flag Officer Commanding
! South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
I Third De$pdtch.
e KILLED AND WOUNDED.
FLAG SHIP WABASH, OFF HILTON HEAD, |
Port Royal Harbor, Nov. 9Th, 1861.
! I'm ,of he .