The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-12-24

Y \ v
JosrpH L. BRowS ,GovERNoRo OF GEORGIA
fire, but finding that be could not effect
his object, which was to burn the large
hospitai, he returned and burnt all the
houses on his way, also the platform
where the boas lands.
This morning the Federal flag could
be seen aying from the lighthouse.
There are three large vessels oft the
Point now, and another gunboat has
lust arrived. The island is
NATURALLY PROTECTED
by large sand hills which could have
protected our men from the shells OF the
enemy. think 1000 men could whip
them off the island III two hours. The
enemy have a foothold on all the South
em States bordering on the Atlantic,
but think they have gained very little
br taking Tybee Island. | do not think
they can GET rice and cotton ON Tybee
to nav tie cost Of the expedition, as
they say they did at Port Royal. We
have plenty of men and ammunition.
and We DEFY them to come in range OF
our. guns. We will show them the
difference between taking Port Royal
and Fort Pulaski"
Tybee Island being accessible to the
National gunboats no attempt was made
TO occupy it after its frsevacuation, and
the operations of the expedition not re-
curing il to be held In force, it was not
until some time 10 December that gar
rison was established there. Meanwhile
the rebels had returned in the night and
burned tie barracks erected by them
selves and also the lighthouse.
In addition to the ascent Of the Savan-
nah River By the National gunboats
opposed by Fort Pulaski, the rebels had
sunk a number Of vessels in the channel
of the river at different points under the
guns Of the fort. With view, therefore,
of cutting off communications between
the fort and the city of Savannah, and
reducing the former and ultimately the
latter. the National commanders enceay-
ored to force their gunboats through
some of the numerous creeks connecting
sitb the river above tie fort
osE ATTEMPT WAS MADE
by an expedition under Commander {.
II. Davis to the southwark of Fort
Pulaski, by the way Of Wilmington Mar
rows and Warsaw Sound, and another by
Capt. john Rodgers TO the north of the
Savannah River by way OF Walls Cut,
Wright and Mud Rivers These expe-
ditions were supported by an adequate
land force, that of Commander Davis by
force Under Gen. Wright, and that OF
Capt. Rodgers by force under Gen.
NieIe. Neither expedition was success
ful in reaching the Savannah River.
On. Jan. 26 an expedition, composed
of the gunboats Ottawa, Lieutenant Com.
mander Stevens; Senaca, Capt. Ammen
and the armed steamers Isaac p. Smith
Nicholson, Potomuska, Watmough, and
Ellen, and having in company the Trans
ports Cosmopolitan, Delaware and Bos
ton, on board of which were the 6tl
Conn, the 4th n. III. and 9th Pa, il
~ about 900 men, commanded b,
Brig.-Gea. Henry g. Wright The YES
sells anchored in Warsaw Sound the SAM
evening. owing TO The shaiiowness of th
bar. Ii WAS midday on the 9th befor
Fort P.iiaski was passed at the neares
point. The fort was not prepared for al
enemy on this side, and did not fire int
the vessels; but preparations were in
medialely set on foot TO receive us o
our return.
After coming up with and passing th
high land on Wilmington Island, I'll
further progress Of the gunboats ":
arrested by blockade Of heavy pill,
driven IN double rows across the chasne
The vessels were anchored and boats di
patched from every one of them TO C,
anime the numerous creeks leading
the river, and TO make reconnoissan,
of the main stream. Capt. Rodgers iande
with the three armed lanches and
tachmenf of troops to scout and dete
mine whether there were then or hs
been any batteries or guns in position
this eminence. No earthworks We
found, but traces Of horsemen were d
covered, who must have been on the sp