The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-12-31
Later from Port ROYAL.

IIILTON TIEAUl D Jr {
Tuesday, Dec. 2ith, 1861. !

llILToN HEAD, y. C., I
Tuesday, Dec. 2ith, 1861.
Since my last, of the 2Oth inst, there has but
little transpircd here of special interest. We
have now almost daily communication with
Beaufort, and reports reach US Of slx rebel pris
oncrs taken by our pickots there. Apparently
rcb,l yalor is taking heart, and they are eau
tiously creeping back to the dread locality, and
preparing to mako some show OF stand on tho
mainland. The village Of Button Is teportad to
be occupied by our troops.
On the 18th inst, tho steamer Mayhower,
Cant. Phillips, ascending Beaufort river la order
to reconnoitie around the island and ascertain
the depth Of water in the river, discovered
rebel battery on the mainland, which opened
fire upon the steamer al but a few rods distance.
The Maylower returned a brisk fire with
small FOUNDER with which she is armed, while
a detail Of 30 Of the 9th Michigan regiment kept
up hot fire OF mus ketIy, the steamer at the same
lime retiring as fast az possible from sucn
closc quarters. Bat few shots we're eNch ing-
ed, and the MsytOwer after grounding once,
managed TO beat a retreat, receiving Ona shot
through her bow which did no serious damage.
No ono was injured on our side, whether tho
rcucls uttered az all is unknown, but while tho
,',amtr retrcatod in our direction they retreat
,u IN another. The battery was masked and
wcr running near the shore WAS upon ~ boz
fate Icing aware of its existence. Tho object
,' tho Reconnaissance was accomplished, and
,apt Phillips reports only nine feet OF water
q, IA gh tide in some parts Of the riNeri also
| .h,t Tho rebels were ObstructinR tho river with
T.. VS. loaded with stones aud live oak l0Ss.
On the 10 inst, the gunboats Pdwnee,
Pcnbina and Vixen, left here TO reconnoltro
North EndslO aud O.e river, and returned to
| Port ROYAL on tho 22d inst. They a'cendod the
| Stone river TO within eleven miles OF Chlrle,'
ton. They mot with no resistance, the rebels
| 1ying on all sides at their approach, deserting
| their homes and leaving everything. Tne OBJ
| iect Of the movement YVES fully accomplished.
The health of the troops here is improving:
| The weather is becoming a little cooler, and
the air more bracing, disPelling levers aud cpl
| denies. .
Winter is gently giving us few hints q
his claims TO the month OF December, not with
| the rude and bOistorous blasts with which our
northern winter herhlds his approach, but with
| pleasant cool autumn days he reminds one thai
| thicker clothes and an Syorcol. would be COM
| Portable.
The new dock is being constructed here a.
raDidly as possible under the super' sion OF Col
| Scrr,Il, Of the Engineers. In the meantime
the large fleet Of transports discharge theii
cugOes very slowly by means OF hghters. Many
| of Them have been for long tnno, and stu
arc wing idle, awaiting means OF landing thei
| cltgOes and tho erection oi thsds To store lheh
tho which two hundred mechanics and lab 1rer
are erecting AZ rapidly AS possible. Why thu
| Goyemmont should send such fleet OF vessels
with cargoes that are Of no immediate use an'
,nnot 6e landed, merely to pay su extrsva
CANT storage upon ths goods, in vessels costinl
II, 600, some Of them ~, 600 per day to charter
Is a question inyol wing too much speculatlo
for your corespondent 10 enter upon.
On the 22d inst, our pickets at Buckinghar
, ferry were fired "a on by the rebels, but no on
Was injured. With this exception eyerythin
| has been quiet about Hilton Head.
, 1t Ia becoming serious question what Is
' ho done with the negroes here they chow
. | desire to 20 TO work, nor has Gen Shei man an
authority 10 make them work, unless they "
: luntariiy offer their services. They have CO
q | tainiy been very busy in diRging the potato
I. and eAAbeTing all kinds Of food, hiding Il I
% their own snpport, and a long a. this lasts tn
Will not Notk, but as soon n II 10 consum