Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-01-10
THE BATTLE AT PORT ROYAL.
Particulars of the Engagement.
THE REBELS DRIVEN BACK WITH Lo
A. d. lNSLEE's
Book and Stationery store,
603 Market Street.
vii minGton, Del.


THE REBELS DRIVEN BACK WITH LOSS.
Correspondence Of the New York Times ].
HILToN HEAD, S. c., Friday, Jan. 3, 1862
The tediOuBness of affairs ut this point has
been agreeably relieved within n few days, by
an attack upon the rebels at Port Royal Ferry,
which has resulted in disodging them from their
position, capturing one Of their guns, and killing
a large number VI their men. As fur as the plan
of attack is concerned the affair has been n
success bnt ms the enemy scarce made q show
of resistance have no brilliant engagement to
record
had known for some time that Gen. Sevens
was averse to leaving the rebels unmolested in
front of his lines, but, for some reason other,
Gen. Sherman would not consent to driving them
away. Recently, however, information was
brought by our scouts, who had crossed over to
the mainland. that the enemy was gradually
strengthening himself in front Of ns, and that
his force numbered at lensl three thousand men,
Ia addition to the fortifcaion at Port Royal
Ferry, mounting five guns o description Of which
! have already sent you another enrthwOrk Ind
been commenced at n lace about two miles to
the left, also IN plain sight Of our outpOsts
making our troops restiVe at the restraint which
hindered them from furnishing the impudence Of
the foe.
Under these circumstances, Gen. Sherman was
pose of occupying the enemy's works. but to
destroy them, capturing their guns and making
US many prisoners us possible. In accordance
! with these views, Gen. Stevens to whom the
1 plan Of assault was cOnhded, fixed upon New
Years's Duy for his operations merely thut the
troops might pny short visit and give the
CarOinians an opportunity to welcome them to
the "hospitable graves" which have been so
frequently promised.
lad ts a
and, with this object in view, the arrangements
fos the attack was arranged with much secrecy
boats, upon which portion of the troops
was to cruSs the Coosnw river deep but narrow
stream, separating Port Royal Island from the
mainland, had been collected quietly for several
days before, aud concealed in the creeks conti-
euous to the points whore they would he needed
The main body OF onr army was 10 land about
pix miles from the ferry to the right, and march
upon the fort, for the purpose Of attacking it ia
flank and rear another force was to cross from
Seahrook's plantation, nearly opposite the other
earthwOrks, two miles to the left, with the object
Of causing diversion to distract the enriny's
attention and a third body of men was couceal.
ed in the woods along the road, Just beyond the
causeway, directly in front of the ferry, in order
to cross when theii services should be required.
This movement OF troops was to be made under
cover of the fire of the gunboats SeHdca. Ottapg.
Fembiaa, and n. b. Hdie Such was lbe gene,
raj plan of attack of which shall present the
details, as they came under my personal obser-
vation.
FIRST learned of what was to take place on
Tuesday, the 3lst, by seeing the Forty-seventh
and Forty-eghth New York Regiments, respect.
lively commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Fraser
and Colonel Perry, marching down 10 the beach
at Hilton Head, To embark on the steamers
Boston aud Delapare took passage on the
latter vessel to Beaufort, where we arrived about
dark, and having called upon General Stevens,
learned what he proposed to accomplish. lie
was kind enough 10 Inform me also that the best
place from which l oonld view the fight would
be at Port Royal Ferry, and ordered that pass
should be furnished to me-
mounted my Rosinante and was soon down
at the river, directly abreast of the Seneca and
Ellen, which was throwing a shower OF shell into
the woods for mile or two on either side, aud
in the rear Of the earthwork which the rebel.
had erected had found on the pargip of The
river that our men had been trying their hand
| Ut throwing up earthworks, behind which logs,
painted black, had been mounted upon carriage
wheels, and presented formidable appearance
when viewed troma distance.
Some OF our men were already across tht
river, and marching through the marshes to-
wards the fort, which the enemy (about TIVE
hundred strong here) had deserted, as soon as
the fire opened without firing a shot, from whicl
il is charitable to suppose that lie had no gum
mounted. These men was told, were two com
panies OF the ROundheads and two Of the Seventy