Year: 1861




is known 70 be lost and il Is possible all are Ii
is gratifying, however. to say that none of the
troop transports connected with the land forces
were lost, though the Winfield Scott had TO sac
rifce her whole cargo, and de Roanoke por-
tien Of hers to save the lives q The regiments on
byard.


After careful reconnaissance Of Port Royal
Bay it was ascertained that tie rebels had their
field works of remarkable strength strongly gar
risoned and covered by three gun boats besides
strong land forces which the rebels were concen-
trafiBg at Charleston and Savannah Ii was
deemed proper to first reduce Che fort ON Hilton
Head. though to do this grekt or less fire might
have been received from de batteries on Bay
Point, at the same time our Original plan of CO.
operation with the land forces ia this attack had
to be set aside in consequences Of the loss during
the voyage of the greater portion of our means
of Decentralization, together With the fact that the
only point where the troops should have landed
was Eve or six miles from the anchoring place of
our transports, altogether too great distance for
successful disembarkmentw with our limited means.


1t was therefore agreed that the place should
be reduced by the naval force alone. After they
were reduced took possession Of them with the
land forces The works of Hilton Head were
severely crippled and many of the guns dis
mounted. Much slaughter had evidently been
made there-many OF tie bodies having been
buried IN the fort and sometwenty or thirty found
some bali a nile distant.


After landing and a. ihx possession of the
forts Gen. Sherman isSuei proclamation to the
people of South Carolina saying;


In obedience to orler of the President of the
United States have landed on your shores with
a small force of National troops We come
among you without feelings of personal hatred
We have no desire to harm you or destroy your
property or interfere with any Of your lawful
Il
causes herein alluded TO may render unavoidable


General Sherman then reviewed the action of
South Carolina in the present rebellion and i'm
plored the people to pause and reflect upon the
consequences of their acts, and says: We have
come among you as loyal men, fully impressed
with our constitutional obligations to the citizens
of your State.


These obligations shall be performed as far as
in our power; but be not deceived, the obligations
of suppressing armed combinations against con
stitutional authorities is para mount to these if in
the performances of this duty minor but imp0r-
tant obligations should be neglected. it must be
attributed to the necessities of the case, because
the rights dependent of the laws of the State must
necessarily succumb to military exegences Gre
ated by instruction and rebellion.


Lowe made balloon ascension on Monday
night His observations showed the camps along
the of rebel batteries for ten or twelve miles
IN the direction of Manassas, indicating that the
enemy is in force in that vicinity.


John Cochrane delivered an address to his regi-
ment in the presence of Secretary Cameron and
other distinguished persons. The most impor-
tant point in his argument was relative to the
treatment of slaves during the present contest


He said he thought il best to use every means
in our power to subdue the rebellion. We should
take their cotton, and sell or burn il, as was
best, confscate their property, and when neces-
sary, place arms in their hands, that they might
assist in establishing the rights of common hu-
manity.


This sentiment was received with unbounded
enthusiasm.