, 1862-04-10
INTERESTING FROM PORT ROYAL
The Attack ON. North Edfato--Un1on
Prisoners la Charleston--.A Hmef~
f1ynacss In Savannah River,

LFort Ro9al Eot. Ia 116t.} n. I, ITlhune.l
An attack has been made by the rebels upon
a portion Of the forces stationed at North
Edlsto. Information vas conveyed to the
rebels Of the position occupied By three COM
pan1es OF the 55th Pennsylvania, and their cap
ture WAS attempted by three battalions, each
five hundred strong, moving simultaneously
last Saturday dyoga o1n pt Sgbrskd qRoa fR hs5 her
companies had moved their camps the day be-
fore, and the two rebel batta1ions in search Of
them were obliged to retire, having effected
nothing. Tbs third was less fortunate. Thirty
men Of company F, Capt. Bennett, under csm-
mand Of their First Lieutenant, Were at Han.
nahan's plantation, on Little Ed1sto, separated
from the large Island and the main force By
creek, the bridge over which was destroyed by
the rebels, and their retreat completely cut of
This Insignificant force, thus attacked BY
500 rebels, maintained desperate defense for
an hour, falling back toward the bridge, Of
whose destruction they we're UNAWARE, avail
ing themselves Of the inequalities Of the
ground as c0!er, and partially screened bY
the fog, through which, however, the flashes
Of their guns betrayed them to the enemy.
tiet, until when #ithin few hundred yards
Of the bridge, their ammunition gave out,
and no other defense WAS possible Still, they
would not surrender, but throwing their mus
keta into the river, sought refuge II thiekets
along the banks. Five men escaped by swim-
ming, and we're afterwards picked up by one
Of tie Crusaders boats. Five are Known to
have been killed during the fight. The re-
naming twenty, some Of them wounded, are
missing, and undoubtedly prisoners.
The rebel plans included also the capture Of
Col White Of the 55th Pennsylvania He had
moved his headquarters, like the two compa-
MES, only the day before, and the rebels, in
their advance, passed unaware by the house
in which be and his Adjutant aud Quartermas-
ter weTs Ta1 sleeping At the ether hopSs , they
been reused BY the firing at Hannahan's,
drawn up in line Of battle to receive them,
and as they had contemplated only surprise,
and were not at all eager for fight, and only
| drew. In the house occupied By the thirty, 8
| sick man was left in an upper room, and, IN
| discovered by the rebels, heard tha address ct
| the rebel leader to his men before the attack.
| The rebel flag was afterwaEd hoisted on the
| house, but remained only few minutes, their
| force withdrawing to Jehorse Island, and
making no effort to hold the ground.
News OF another attack Was received hast
night by express, but there are no Ineligible
| particulars. Eight Of our men were Killed or
| wounded in the skirnfsh, which seems 10 have
been as usual an affair Of pickets. Whether
| the rebels mean to attack IN considerable force
Or to pursue here as in Florida, guerilla war~
| fare, seems to be uncertain. The island is one
New Hampshire, hitherto the comn1andant Of
this post, has been sent to supersede Colonel
| Moore Of the 9Th New York, who was in
command at Edisto, and is considered respoa-
sib1e for the second disaster, On account OF
the location Of the pickets and the insufficient
cy Of their ammunition. Col. Williams Of the
LIST Massachusetts cavalry, IN officer Of very
| great ability, succeeds Col Fellows as post
| somnaudaat at Port Royal
| Ihe party recently captured by the rebels,
consisting Of 1Iaut. Col. Bennett of the 55th
| PennsJ1E9nia, Lieut.. Kirby Of the 47th New
] Iozk, and Ar. Willis, were taken to Charles
! ton Through the streets Of that Christian
yesS S5e Y az eRsFa
fonowed to prison by derisiTe mob Of 5000
| people. Insults like this, 1nd barbarous mur-
ders like that in Florida, arc the practices of
| men who denonnce the violation Of the ussges
| OF civilized warfare on our side, and ask to be
admitted into the community Of civilized na~
tians.
An nirpn-clad rebel gunboat has madc its ap-
pearance Oh the Savannah river, coming down
last week as Tar as the head of Elba Island,
where it was plainly seen On board our vessels
which lie In Mud river supporting the batter
les, and drawing Of it was made. It is de-
ecrlhed as very much resembling the Meri--
mac In appearance, but Is much s1aa11er in
stze, and Is considered to be every way less
From the fact that, although ahoat in the
river, the has made no attempt to approach
the batteries. it Ia presumed that she either
draws too much water, or is defective In con-
apprehension is felt Of the result Of an effort
I If she chooses to make it.
1he rebels have captured q nHmbek2Emen
OF the 18th New York Two officers I'D thir
| V-aTe men were gent on BEnday IN boat
i ARMED with i1p1under, Oh Reconnaissance
IN 1.azafetto and Oyster Greeks, near Tybee
+ Island and Fort Fu1asId. The rebel steamer
Ada, With 200 men on board, came down VII
minetbn Na11ows, and sur Ipfisfug the boating
party, portion Of which lad landed On VIII
mtneton Island, captured tha hoat and gun
and ~ the men who were not on shnrs. Both
t+captng, and after two dagsf Numbering, re-
turned to camp, Whete the whole party had
een'aupposed to be captured. The surprise
and capture seezn ID hare been IN consequence
Of vc1y great carelessnees On the part Of both
~o+HGk!e A!A naFFu. 7t..7'.:- y ~