New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-22
The Expedition Ended-sharp Fighting
on Johns IsInnd-A Trip North-fnci-


The Expedition Ended-sharp Fighting
ON Johns Isinnd-A Trip North-fnci-
dents.
From Our Special Correspondent.
HILTON HEAD July Is. 1864.
The late irregularity Of the mails, and the diff
Guilty Of forwarding anything to the press have been very
embarrassing TO ambitious correspondents But this Is
the less 10 DO regretted the late expedition ermi'
mated without resulting in anything very much In favor
Of either beligerent party. Gen. Fosters plans end
combinations we're so well kept secret that the ques'
ton has been often asked, since return What was
the precise object of the expedtion And this question
none c1n satisfactorily answer. Perhaps II was gen
eral demonstration against Charleston. II is evident
the enemy regarded it, and disposed OF his forces
accordingly But if Gen. Foster thought it proper to
give to the soldiers In his Departmental little wholesome
exercise that object has been accomplished. If 1t was
intended for the special benefit Of the colored troops,
the needed discipline they have received. II il vas to
draw troops away from Sherman's front, 1t had the
effect to relieve bin Of five eight thousand Of
his enemy. lit was TO try the strength Of various in
pediments in the way Of an advance upon Charleston,
that has been DONE in any case 1t was grand recon
nois,ance In force on at esi two sides oi the city
THE FIGHTING
OF the expedition occurred mostly tie 7th and 9TH
inst on Johns Island 1t was evident on the 9Th that
the enemy were concentrating a pretty strong force
against u.s. The Charleston troops remained on james
Island and the Ieenforcemenis were thrown against
Gems Hatch and SAXON on Johns Island. As early as
the 18th. Gen. Brney lad been sent back TO Florida and
the command of his brigade devOyed upon Col Mont
gomery. On the morning OF the 7th Col w. IL. H.
Davis lOsth Pennsylyar held tho advance, and was
guppOrted hy O section Of the ID NcwYork Artillery,
Lieut. Wits While the Colonel was standing little
eminenoe, with glass in hand. examining the enemy =
postOn. he fred upon By tho tcbelr. and Sion
/ "a IN rio
This able and experienced officer wns compelled ~
| leave the field The enemy soon advanced upon our
position. and attempted 10 cross bridge iTcu which
we had removed part Of the plank. Lieut. WDts with
/ gus double.shotted. opened upon him. causing
great slaughter The action lasted about an hour tho
enemy driven back. and the lighting for Tie day
I thus ended. 1t became evident that the enemy was
concentrating on Johns Island, aud Montgomery
brigade ordered 20 Reinforce our troops there lie
reached the Of action abol midnight or o'clock
the 9th lie was ordered to relieve Col. Van Wyck, II
the 5Gth New.YoYk, but the gallant Colonel sent back
word that he still able TO bold his position Mont
conery 5 force was held in reserve At early dawn
The enemy came down upon orr advance and no doubt
surprised the pickes and adv guard of the 10Th
Pa, Lieut. Col Hart now commanding. AT any rate
this old veteran regiment. composed Of Us good ma
teral there IN tie army. was driven nom It's posi-
/ ton and sent 10 the rear.
Col Montgomery threw the 7th United states
ColOred Troops Of his brigade INTO iho Cop
checked the enomys advance. and drove him back.
section Of the 81 ~ Y. Artillery, under Capt Day.
participated in the action and did excellent service
During Saturday three several attempts we're made u
drive u from onr position, bat each eficr sigaaliy
failed. Our loss very light the enemys must nav
been severe From tho treeops our men could see TIC
woods full Of stretcherbearers carrying OF their dead
! and wounded. During saturday night We evacuated
the island undisturbed. Thus the expedition ended.
Its eject has been TO cause greater activity In the de
pertinent and Johnny Reb viii hear from us again.
The weather was intensely hot. end our men suffered Us
much from that and thirst from anything else
trustworthy under musketry they Lad formerly been
under the ting Of shell on Morris leland In these
ne poets the South Carolina troops were not whit be-
hind their Northern brethren.
/ On the morning OF the 18th great JOY was created In
this department by the announcement that the
FULTON HAS ARRIVED.
Many teachers had closed their schools and were anx
ous 10 60 hoIne sick. ia poor health. and
Looked for relief only by going North. CoDSaleScent
soldiers had watched for three weeks ior such oppor
tunity. Some had furloaghs. and the whole large
circle a. made glad with the prospect OF seeing
home again. As left the Mission House in Beaufort
the Superintendent the Rev. Dr. Newcomt and many
teaohers Fad 10 leave behind them one Of their
number cold in the embrace OF death The day before
hliss Julia Wheaton, from Massachusetts, had died.
She was lovely girl aid one Of The most accomplished
ladies and teachers in the Department Only tie best
female constitutions should undertake 20 wear through
the hot sutry Summers OF South Carolina.
OUR VOYAGE
North has not been destitute Of interest and excitement.
We left Sunday. at O'Clock In the midst Of severe
gale for the The entire ship was crowded with
passengers, and in little time sickness yawninG and
vomiting to beseen all sides " The pleasures OF
hope greatly modified by anguish in the stomach
The next day the gale continued. and the deck was
crowded. We had been admonished that the Florida
was probably this coast and a sharp look out was
had for the pirate Early in the day esped rakish
looking sail TO right and in little OBJ
seryatiOn demonstrated that IL gaining rapidly
upon u.s. The excitement had the good effect direct
attention from sickness. She drew nearer Capt.
Waters spread all his sail. put more steam and
Tor time seemed to preserve not widen the distance
between him and his pursuer. But she gains upon
us, and Is within range Of his stern guns He raises
the stars and stripes and gets his guns in position but
the supposed enemy responds in friendly signals All
breathe frecr, speed is slightly slackencd and In
few the stranger Is by side. She had per
scyerngly followed nearly twenty -four hours 10 in
form captain that the Florida was surely of the
coast Of North Carolina. somewhere. Having given us
this Dote Of warning. sbe turned her and went
back.
The next day another gunboat cansed the excite
ment for an hour or two among all on board.
On the morning OF the 10th it announced that
during the night
SOLDIER HAD DIED,
ard would be buried that day in the sea His name
John l.. Patton and he belonged to Co. t. 25th Reg
ment Ohio Volunteers. He formerly lived in Woods
vale Ohio. His term Of enlistment had lust expired
and be his way home But he had for some time
been sick with chronic dysentery and bnt few ex.
pected be would live 10 his home He was buried
al II No. with military houors and religious services
conducted by Chaplain H. H. Moore. 1t was strange and
solemn 10 bury him in the ocean but 1t matters not for
the sea shall give w Us dead. LEN