The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-11-22

development of that precious quality Characters
tic of the patriarch JOB. Really, there seems to
have been no way of avoiding. the Inconvenience,
as every thing which floats in the shape of steam
vessel has been subsidized by thee Government in
the prosecution of anumber Of expeditions, where
in its great military and naval resources are to be
welded on the coast and in the interior, at many
places simultaneously, against the vital parts of the
rebellion. Such steamships as the Baltic, Atlantic,
.4rago and Ericsson left here earlysthis week, and
having taken troops on board at Baltimore, are now
at Hampton Roads awaiting orders. 1t is not i'm
probable that you may soon have occular proof of
their destination. In view, therefore, of what is
neglected The vessel which is to be dispatched
Tomorrow is very small steamer, the George Pea
body. better adapted, should Judge. for naviga-
ton of the Erie Canal than the Atlantic Ocean.
She isto carry a deckzlQad of cattle, the mails,
and dozen ventltresome passengers, leaving
host Of officers and civilians anxious to follow, bat
whom nothing but an absolute necessity might in
duce to hazard life and tempt Providence at this
season of the year in so frail craft. -
Information of the recent battle at Pocotaligo
was received North the day before arrived in the
Ericsson. 1t came from the Richmond papers
in the form of ten-line telegram from Beaure-
gard, stating that the s:abolitionists'' had been
repulsed to their gunboats with heavy loss in an
attempt to cut the Charleston and Savannah Eail-
road, and that his cavalry were in hot pursuit.
The idea of gunboats being pursued by cavalry
struck the orthern mind as being somewhat ridic-
ulous and this ayerment, taken in connection with
Beauregard's well-known propensity to swerve
from strict expression of fact left the people m
credulods, but very anxious to bear our side of the
story. The Times and HeyQld next morning were
the only New York papers containing report Of
the affair, and the editions EerA eagerly sought.
AL .hough these accounts Showed the fight in o
more favorable aspect than was At first seen, and
demonstrated that they ictory waSentireiy wthus,
vet very general feeling of SORROWS prevailed at
the long list of casualties which the battle had
Produced. Some persons werefnclined to blame
Gen Mitchell for attempting more than his small
force could possibly accomplish, but the dissatis-
fed could only be found among that class who are
ever clamorng for activity and dashing raids desi
ring bricks to be made without straw, and when
the risk is taken in obedience to their lmperious
demands and proves disastrous. are first to rebuke
and to condemn. There can be no disputing that
the cost of what we accomplished at Pocotaligo]
was great, but who is able to say that the advan-
tages gained in experience and knowledge of the
physical features of the country, in view Of any
future ope alton in that direction, did not war
rant the sacrfce2
The sad announcement of Gen. Mitchell s death
came to rs on the night of tue 4th inst in the
midsf Of the election excitement. Never have
known the loss of public man to be felt more
poignantly. His brief career in South Carolina
was so fruitful of good to all in his command.
Winning the respect aud confidence OF the sol
diery by his ingenious eloqde ce and fiery zeal;
inspiring his officers with fersent devotion to HIM
self by the magnetism OF hisspresence as ne met
them in familiar and social Intercourse; and by his
sympathy, kindness and sound practical wisdom n
gaining the affection CT the negroes, he had as if
by magical spell, ch .rmeds away all acrmony,
while every interest of the Department was beng
prosecuted in harmony and peace. In the midst
of his usefulness Death, the sable giant, aimed
l.