The National tribune., 1892-05-12

anchor was flying, and in obedience to i;
TIE anchors soon quilted their muddy beds
being borne by the brawny hands of jolly
fars who seemed to be fairly aching for q
fight After a few necessary evolutions.
they started in the following order: Main
squadroa-Wabash, Susquehanna, Mohican.
Seminole. Pawnee, Unadilla, Ottawa, Penn
hina and the Tandalia. Flanking squadron
Bienviile. Seneca, Curlew, Augusta, Penguin,
L. b Forbes.
The main squadron was to do the fight
ing at the batteries, while the fianking
squadron was to drive off the rebel boats.
Subsequently a portion of both squadrons
took up an enfilading position above the
battery, and
THEN DID GOOD SERVICE,
keerinu up an incessant fire while the large
ships were shifting their position. Those
little boats did fight manfully, and as they
steamed slowly up the bay the decks and
rigging Of the transports were crowded with
anxious spectators. After the fleet had gone
up seme distance the Eandalia, toweG by
the Isaae Smith, proceeded to join in the
fight By this time the rebel boats were
putting themselves into position, while one
OF their transports, which evidently had
been engaged in bringing troops down from
Beaufort, started across the bay at full speed.
1t was evident they began to see that we
were coming after them in right good ear
nest As the vessels stood up the bay
the transports weighed anchor and fol-
lowed MP so as to give the officers a better
view of the coming fight.
THE BATTLE.
The Matanzas occupied q splendid posi-
tion. Just as we had anchored which was
at five minutes before 10 o'clock the Hilton
Head battery opened fire on the Wabash; IN
three minutes after another shot from the
battery. Now the cheers rose from all the
transports; the ball had opened. Still the
ships stood on and did not apparently notice
the efforts OF the rebels. until the Wabash
came in close range with the face of the bat
tery. when she fired shell which struck
close 10 the enemy. In few minutes the
Wabash opened smart fire, throwing her
shells into the woods, where the rebels were
encamped in some force. After fling few
guns TO ascertain the range. she opened
broadside fire On both batteries, which was
one of the finest sights ever witnessed in
this country. How the troops did cheer!
The other vessels now opened their fire, and
the shells fell thick aud fast into the fort
The rebel steamers now opened a smart fire,
and it WAS the subject of general remark
about the tiDe shots they made. The small
gunboats next steamed rapidly ahead and
opened on them with their 10 and 11-inch
pivot guns. At 1915 the fire was so hot
that they up helm and started for Broad
River, the gunboats chasing them. By this
time the
SHELLS WERE BURSTING
in the Bay Point battery at the rate of about
two a minute, to which the rebels replied with
Tspidity and great precision.
The flagship and her division gere rapidly
drawing up to the point around which they
were 10 turn so that they could come down
along the shore and engage the Hilton Head
batterr, while the small gunboats took up in
dependent positions and battered away at Bay
Point and the rebel naval vessels. As the
Wabash turned so that her broadside could
besr upon the rebel feet she opened upon
them, and soon sent them mp the river. About
this time the Kandalia came up in range. and
she delivered splendid brosdside on the Bay
Point battery. several Of her shells making the
sand fly inside Of the works. She kept up a
galling FIRE upon them until out of reach when
she devoted her attention 10 the rebel navy.
During This time the Wabash. Slsquehanna
and Bicnviile had come around, and were close
upon the Hilton Head battery. All eyes were
npon these vessels, especially IS we saw plainly
that they steering so as to come within
600 yards OF the rebel guns, some OF which we
knew were excellent riied pieces of the most
approved pattern We expected great dongs
and were not disappointed, the sequel will
show. 0H they came, a little world ia them
selves, bEt the flagship seemed 10 be the one on
which ali placed their hopes for grand spec
taclc.
At atont 10 o'clock The Wabash commenced
operations GA the Hilton Head battery in good
earnest, delivering q broaiside at the COM
mand. al her gun-deck armament is 9-inch
shell guns with l0-inch pivot aft, and 65
pound ri6ed Dahlgren on the fcrecastle.
THE sCEHE WAS TSDEscRTBABLE.
The noise was terrific, while the bursting of the
shells was as terrible as it was destructive 10
less than 60 shells bursting in rapid succession.
and that right in the battery and in the woods
where the rebels lay. In addition to this, the
SnsGnehanna, with her tremendous battery
aided 10y the Bienville, the Pawnee and half
dozen smaller gunboats, were making the air
brown with saud while the blue smoke of the
explosions went TO make most magnificent
sight. The troops we're wild with enthusiasm,
and with deafening cheers they applauded
the boidncss and courage Of the gallant naval
officer.
moment or two elapsed-ust time enough
70 load the guns, and again the scene was en-
acted Rf-esn. The rebels replied with seven
guns, which were worked splendidly. aud from
appearances they did considerable execution.
After the second brcadside the firing became
less concerted. and il seemed as If each Givis-
lon and al the vessels were endea Yoring To
outvie each other in the rapidity with which
they worked .heir guns
The tide drifted the vessels quite rapidly by
the battery, but they backed considerably. SO
as TO remain as long as possible and al II o'clock
they had reached as near 10 the reef as it was
safe TO 20, aud they were obliged to haul Of TO
again take their position, but giving the bat
tery
ANOTHER BRoADsIDE
ne they turned. To do this track circular
in form aud extending nearly five miles, must
be sailed over. The Bay Point battery must
again be passed. where there were several fine
rIfed cannon. which were well served and the
navy Of the Confederates must receive their
due Share of the Shells which were destined
20 be expended on this days work. To this
duty they undauntediy steamed up while the
Little guDboa,s fought the steamers
About this time the firing on both sides ma
te:laily diminished. Occasionally the rebels
fired from either SIDE which was replied to by
the gnnboats. As the Wabash aud her consorts
rounded 10, 10 come down again and assail the
battery where they had made such a beautiful
display of their SIX IT. the trooDs agaip gava