The New York herald., 1862-01-12


Coosaw by Beaufort river and Of the gunboat Seneca
Lieutenant Commanding Ammen, and the tugboat Ellen,
Acting Master Commanding Budd both Of which were 10
move up Beaufort Aver and approach the batteries a.
Seabrook and Port Royal Ferry by Whale Drancn Inc
armed tug e. b. Hale Acting Master Foster, under the
command of Lieutenant Barnes, was Afterwards de-
spatched to Commander RodgeBe.
The part assigned to the naval force was protect the
landing of the troops at Haywoods plantation the nrst
corn and the second point Of debarkation, and to
sail the batteries their 'front.' refer you with plea
sure to the official reports for the Q, tho
day. and have only to add that from the note OF Brga
der General Stevens copy OF which accompanies this
report and from various other sources learn that the
Rodgers with the highest skill and ability have the
honor transmit herewith his detailed report which the
department will read with pleasure.
Respectfully, &C., s. F. DUPONT
REPORT OF COMMANDER c. R. p. RODGERS.
UNITED STATES FLAG SHIP wARAsH,(
PoRr ROYAL HAREoR, s. g., jan 1852. J
SR-I reached Beaufort at on the 3lst of Decem-
ber, with tho gunboats Ottawa, Lieutenant Commanding
Stevens, and Pembina Lieutenant Commanding Bank
head and tho four large boats Of this ship each carrying
q twelve pound howitzer, under Lieutenants Upshur,
Luce and Irwin, and Acting Master KempT AT sunset
Lieutenant Barnes of this ship joined with the armed
steamer E. b. Hale, Acting Master Commanding Foster
In that ntimation might be given to the enemy
Of approach, these vessels remained at Beaufort
until after dark when they assembled the river to point
about two miles from the Coosaw where anchored to
await daylight. At four the next morning moved on
with the launches and at daylight joined Gen. Stevens,
the head Of his column and at tho appointed place Of
rendezvous.
The troops having all embarked. crossed the Coo
saw and at eight NJ the first detachment Of volunteers
landed under Of boat guns Haywoods PLAN
iaon and with them went the two light howitzers of
the Wabash a section Of light artillery, under
Lieutenant Irwin, of this ship. At sunrise Lieutenant
Commanding Stevens succeeded in getting the Ottawa
through the difficult passage of the Brickyard and in
Joining me in front OF the column the Pembna and E. B.
Hale arriving shortly afterwards We proceeded to the
landing at Adams plantation, where the remaining
| troops were ordered to disembark. On our way
| up we threw few shells into what seemed an
outpost Of the enemy, near long embankment
Anchorng the gunboat at ten o'clock as to cover the
route Of tho advancing column and the second point Of
debarkaton whore also launches were Stationed
up in the Hale to within range Of the battery at
Port Royal Ferry, at which Lieutenant Barnes threw
fcw shot ard SHE'LL dslodgng body Of troops stationed
in the adjoining 6eld but eciting response from the
| battery.
At half past one p NJ General Stevens being ready to
novc tho gnboas shelled the woods in front Of his
administers, and then advancing threw rapid rs
into the Sort Port Royal Ferry and anchored in front
Of at two forty p NJ the Ottawa passing between the
heads Of tho two causewsys The enemy had succeeded
in taking or all their guns ono but could not learn
whether any except field pieces had been removed
the day of attack. We found quantity Of eightinch
shells and thirty FOUNDER rincd shells in the magazines
At half past two the Seneca, Lieutenant Commanding
Ammen, and the Ellen, Master Commanding Budd, the
other vessels which you had placed undor my orders,
| having passed from Broad river through Whale
branch, came within signal distance and their CON-
manders board the Ottawa, having assisted in
the destruction Of the ssabrook but their
hot of tha
joining me- The Ellen up at eight O'Clock, and
the Seneca tho next morning.
Immediately after the Ottowa had anchored the fcrry
was roopened tho Pennsylvania Roundhcads passed
over and occupied the Fort, where they were joined
about four O'Clock, by General Stevens advance guard
The enemy appearing in force and in line Of battle upon
the right of our troops, at fifteen minutes past
four O'Clock, the Ottawa moved down the river
q short distance, with the Pembina aud opened
hre with eleven inch and Parrot guns their shells falling
among the enemy troops with great effect driving them
into the woods, and clearing the Gank Of column
where the skmshers had been engaged and the onomy
had opened hrc from field battery of several pieces
Soon after sunset ceased firing for while and tht
enemy cent flag Of truce to Of advanced posts
ask permission 10 carry OF their killed and wounded
Just then the gunboats rcopened and before Genera
Stevens messenger could convey his reply that the rn
should cease for hour to enable the enemy to carr!
or their wounded the officer who had brought the nai
had galoped or At sunset landed our heavy howzer
directing Lieutenant Upshur TO place IL in battery with thu
guns already on shore under Lieutenant Irwin there beni
no artillery with the brigade but that of the Wabash
the same time Lieutenant Luce with the second launcl
and It's riaed gun and Lieutenant Barnes with the Hale
we're sent to the lower landing protect the boats
steamer In which troops had crossed and supernten
y their removal TO the ferry, which was accomplshc
about midnight.
At sunrise We re eembarked our boat guns. At thrt
minutes past nine O'Clock tho morning Of tho I'd, tn
enemy again appearing in tho wood We opened hot nr
Of shot aud shells from the Ottawa Seneca, rembns
Ellen ana Hale, and after nring brsky for time slack
cncd the fire so drop shot shell into tho wood
about once a minute. At forty minutes past min
O'Clock our troops began to recross the ferry
and wore all over by noon, Geld guns havn
been landed, at tho request OF General Stevens,
| cover the rear OF the returning column. The enem
mad. furthcr demonstration. The scows which ha
been used crossing were taken to our vesscs, to
towed Beaufort and at two p. NJ got under way
moved down the Coosaw to point the Beaufort
ycr where wo were compelled to wait for the morning
tide to pass through the Brickyard channel
Ibeg leave express you the great satisfaction
found In cooperating with General stevens, and my ad
miralion Of IN skilfu manner in which he handled hi
trooys end made his combinations About twenty -nv
hundrsd Of our volunteers crossed The Cocsaw. TLe
conduct and bearing excellent have thank III
commanding officers Of the vessels for the sklful an
prompt support they gave me. Tho manner in whic
their guns were served, and their vessels handle,
under very difficult circumstances, shows the hghcs
professional m crit. The in which the boat an
field guns OF the Wabash managed by the officer
, in charge Of them did thoso officers much credit.
Lieutenant Commanding Ammen will make separai
report Of service Of tho Seneca and Ellen, at scs
brook, bsfore I met him, at half-past two, on Nc-
Years dsr. IL s Unnecessary for TO say 70 yoi ha
his thoroughly done. The channel OF the Co,
saw is narrow and so shallow In many parts that
d,cs not afford vessel TO turn by the ordnar
methods, smd cur gunboats were consequently yer
T. often aground but admirably are they adapted
this kind Of service that never felt any sclictude
| their safety.
lie tenant Cogcrwcl, signal onccr Of the army, wa
directed 10 reyert 10 for duty, and furnished N
Z | with tho means OF constantly communicating wit
General stevens with facility aud rapdliy unknown
,bo naxal scrvee \ take this opporttnitv of rec.r