Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-14


distinctly heard from our battery and the balconies
of the stores on the Bluff, which were occupied by
anxious and excited crowds during the forenoon.
About noon, the wind having changed, the firing
could not be heard. and all awaited with painful
interest the arrival of intelligence from the scene
of action.
A little before two o'clock the steamer St. Marys
arrived here from Hilton Head, and was met at her
wharf by crowd of eager inquirers From
passenger on the st. Marys we received the follow
ng statement.
The Yankee feet attempted to pass the batteries
at Port Royal at 81 o'clock in the morning, Seven
of the largest steamers succeeded in the attempt in
few minutes, and we're lying out Of range in the
bay, not engaged The firing was continuous and
heavy from the batteries From the position Of the
st. Aarys 1t was impossible for those on board to
see if any of the fleet returned the fire of the bat
teries, as they attempted TO pass 1t is the opinion
of officers Of the steamer that they did not fire
gun. A steamer from her position apparently the |
first which had run the gauntlet chased and fired a
shot at the g. s. steamer Savannah which ran into
Scull Greek. The st. Marys left for Savannah, I'M
der ORDERS at 10 O'Clock, and it was impossible to
leRFA of casualties
Col. Stiles Regiment arrived at the Hilton Head
Wharf, five miles distant from the battery, just as
the firing Commenced, and left for the scene Of &C
ion at the double quick.
steamer OF extraordinary speed appeared to be
trying to intercept the Savannah but must have run
aground as she was making short cut over shoal
place and did not appear around the point to which
she was making.
The ST. johns is still near Hilton H ad, awaiting
riders,
FOrlyone vessels were in sight at eight O'Clock in
the morning. seventeen of which were transports
the balance ga all steamers.
Col DeSaussure's regiment, numbering eight or
nine hundred men, arrived yesterday afternoon
from Somerville, s. @.
The St Marys passed the Gen. Clinch about 81
o'clock, having on board Gen. Ripley and staff on
their way TO Port Royal
r- Latest News.
By tie arrival of the steamers Emma and Savan-
nah yesterday afternoon and last night, we have
later intelligence from Port Royal. The Savannah
left Scu1 Greek between two aud three O'Clock yes.
terday afternoon, after having participated in the
engagement She received two shots one forward
and the other in her wheel but neither caused her
any serious injury. A inch shell which en-
tered her wheel>house did not explode, and is now
on board.
Commodore Tatnall landed his marines and am
munlton at one of the batteries, and sent the Sd
Yannah UP to the city for repairs.
The batteries at Port Royal were served in fine
style, and Is thought did considerable execution.
One large Federal steamer had her masts shot away
but go dense was the smoke which enveloped the
fleet that the extent Of the injury sustained by the
vessels could not be ascertained.
AT one time large Federal steamer gave chase
TO the EGUdHndh, and when within three quarters
OF mile fired broadside at her. The shot passed
over her, and the Savannah returned the fire she
withdrew.
Troops from South Carolina, North Carolina and
Georgia are fastening to the Of conflict, and
II the Federal troops should succeed in landing at
any point, they viii meet with warm reception.
Up to noon yesterday, well as we can learn,
nobody was hurt our side.
On Tuesday and Wednesday nights the Federal
boats were discovered sounding when the Con-
tederate steamers drove them off
The engagement will, no doubt be resumed this
Still Later.
From the Savannah News, November o.
About half past l O'Clock yesterday morning, we
received the dispatch published in our morning
edition, announcing the evacuation of Fort Walker
by our troops and their retreat towards Bluffton.
This astounding news was only the precursor of
the more disastrous accounts which reached the
city this morning by the boats from the scene of
action, which arrived here early this morning.
y IN the confusion OF statements of persons engaged
Ia the action it is impossible in the time allowed us
TO obtain very connected or crcumstantisl account
OF the fight. From various sources we have gath>
cred the following:
As stated in our paper Yesterday the firing be-
tween Fort Walker and the feet commenced about
nine o'clock the feet giving the most of their atten
ton TO Fort Walker. Before ten o'clock seven of
the largest steamers of the feet hsd passed the bat
teries, and WREN the St. Msrys left from whose
passengers we obtained cur of the first part
OF the action, most terrific cannonading was going
on.
The fight Continued until the departure Of the
K,
left, at o'clock, the firing undated except at
the Bay Point battery which had been si'enced be-
tween eleven and twelve o'clock. At this time
tremendous csnnonading was kept up by the fleet.
consisting OF some thirty odd steamers and gun
boats, which was returned by Fort Walker the
battery on Hilton Head.
The Fort Walksr armament consisted Of SIXTEEN
guns, nine Of which bore upon the shipping the
balance being in position the land side. Five
Blk of these guns, among them the "a pound rifle
inch had pabl
during the forenoon. Thus disabled and their ans
munition exhaus ed, the garrison evacuated Fort
Walker between three and four O'Clock, retiring in
the direction of BluIon leaving the guns in posi-
ton and unspiked, having spikes for that pur-
pose.
In the course of the morning and previous night
considerable renfoTcements of infantry and It'll
lery from Georgia and Carolina had arrived at Hill
ton Head, and were stationed in or in the vicinity
of the batteries, but we are unable at present to
ascertain the number of troops engaged in the bat
be:
capt Jacob Reeds artillery corps of the First
Georgia Regiment of Regulars arrived at The scene
of acton on Wednesday night and on yesterday
bore gallant part in the fight. Four or five of his
men killed early in the action The corps lost
two Of their guns and several horses.
Col Randolph Spaulding Georgia Volunteer reg
iment, commanded by Capt. Berry were also in the
engagement. They were marched to the beach
where they received a CALLING fire of round shot
and shell from the feet, which, however, they were
unable TO return Win IDelr muSKets. vi the Floyd
county Berry Infantry, James 5. Ayres, and Second
Surgeon VIM. Il Parkinson, received slight wounds.
Col VIM. H. Styles Volunteer Georgia Regiment
reached the scene Of action at O'Clock, having
marched from Skidway, fifteen and half miles dis
taRt, at the dOube-quick. But they also unable
10 fire on the feet which was out of the range of
their guns. The Regiment had several killed and
wounded by shells from the fleet. Our informant
states that Col Styles had two horses shot under
him, and in the fall of one of them received slight
injury in the shoulder The Colonel and his Regi-
ment was at one time exposed to terrific Smelling
from the ships and 1t Ia only surprising that more OF
them were not killed and wounded
Col Randolph Spaulding, not being in command
of his regiment joined corps belonging to another
regiment and engaged in the fight, far as it was
possible for the i1fantry to participate in it, with
his musket on his shoulder.
Between II and II O'Clock, twelve vessels en-
gagged the forts, five Of them first class steam
E--car ataa