Year: 1861

BALTIMORE Nov. IL, 1851.
The Old Point boat brings but little news.


Another flag Of truce sent from Norfolk yesterday
brought down reports that after the capture OF the bat
series the rebels fell back Beaufort, where most
desperate struggle took place.


There terrible excitement at Norfolk


Tho following additional particulars are from the
Charleston Mercury Of Friday. November 81


In anticipation Of the arrival of the great expedition
the rebels have been engaged in erecting batteries upon
APPOINT at Hitons Head, ard opposite the neck of land
The principal fertilization on Htons Head was denom-
mated Fort Walker and situated low land, partially
concealed by trees and underbrush Adjoining were
other batteries Of smaller size but connected to
prove formidable bar TO the OF vessels Fort
Beaufort Bcauregard Of considerable Importance
having been mounted with heavy guns The garrisons
are supposed to have been South Carolina regiments
sisted by additional regiments which sent from
Richmond


The batteries at Bay Point Jenkins Island opposite
Hltons Head equally formidable. Inside OF
Port Royal entrance and behind the batteries lay the
neot Of Commodore Tana which consisted only of small
vessels carrying few heavy guns, but principally light
ones. Tugs constituted great portion Of the fleet


Many Of these remained outside the mouth of the
trance until the arrival OF feet, when they formed
In miniature line Of battle in the position already stated
behind the guns Of their forts and the
entrance


On the morning OF Thursday last the United States
Acet consisting of forywo vessels headed by the flag
ship, approached tho mouth Of Port Royal entrance
This at half-past nine O'Clock Several Of the
transports remained of the coast The approach Of the
great feet created great stir In the rebel batteries
Upon arriving at q suitable position the guns Of the
neet opened continuous are upon Forts Walker and
those Rav linda
cover Of this fro effort made to the gauntlet
Of the batteries the result Of which was emnently
satisfactory.


number Of the vessels passed through the shot and
shell from the shore batteries with very tring injuries
AT least fifteen Of thom succeeded passing up tho
trance beyond the reach Of the land batteries


As the Union feet sailed up, the mosquito feet OF Com
modore Tatnall opened fire. but seeing the mpossbilty
Of making any resistance soon dispersed and
forced to shore while others driven up the
inlets almost out Of sight


Commodore Tatnan went shore with his men to
assist in working the batteries and them against the
vessels OF the Union feet which endeavoring to
follow the advance Union force.


It must not be imagined however, that tho passage Of
the feet through the channel was the work Of
1t was not accomplished until the firing had continued
from hapast nine O'Clock in the morning neary Ave
O'Clock in the evening.


During the light one OF the Union gunboas believed
to have been burned and three steamers disabled


II acknowledged by the enemy that they had twenty
killed in Fort Walker but it is impossible state
what their loss at the other batteries although doubt
less very great fire is mentioned having been
very effective. the guns being very well aimed and Of
heavy ealibre


No sooner did vessels pass the batteries at Port
Royal entrance and slide into what termed Broad river,
than they made for the mouths of the leading to
Beaufort, sa.apnah and Charleston These they imme-
diatey bockaded although not in time to prevent the
escape Of some small rebel vessels.


Not OF the federal vessels sunk and tho only
believed to have been destroyed by the fire was the
gunboat referred to above The burning this is de-
scrbed being grand spectacle the guns going Off us
the flames reached them, and throwing the shells far
the woods on shore The said to have passed
through murderous Are to another vessel but they
capped with very little amy LOGS.


The Union vessels acted under special instructions in
st blockading the inlets which lead to most i'm
portant points, and which afforded loopholes Of escape
to the enemy While portion Of the fleet however
tered upon this duty, four ships made at for Beau
fort and three O'Clock Thursday afternoon Novem
Der z, these vessels were in sight of the town.


despatch dated Beaufort November to the Charles
ton Mercury says that at the time designated the Union
Forces preparing to effect landing, evidently with
Tue ueslSn OF throwing up auu attacking
the town.


We have Of knowing the exact loss of the
Union forces the rebels confess that their firing
very bad and their artierymen badly in want of
practice They declare, moreover that the guns the
forts were not properly mounted.


When Commodore Tatnal went to assist the men in
the forts he found that many their cannon were ac
ally dismounted by their rebound To this fault the
rebel journals attribute their defeat and loudly call upon
the Confederate government find where the blame
rests.


THE LATEST REBEL DESPATCH.


The following is a special despatch to the Charleston
Mercury


HEspERsoSvrL1E, Nov. TO r VI.


The practice Of our artllersts at Hitons Head has
been very bad hence the successful passing OF Of
the enemy IS Their transports are s,il od
side The loss side thus far has been very sight,
and the troops in good heart The firing Of the fdn
kee vessels very accurate Hlton's Head and
Bay Point FIRST reported received the brunt of the
attack Our failure to sink any Of the vessels which
passed batteries is owing the poor practice Of the
artillersts.


can be distinctly from Beaufort Forts Walker and
Beauregard are still firing.


The enemy has lost gunboat which was burned.
Shells can be seen from here bursting in the woods


Our lines Of communication completely cut Of, un.
less more troops here with artillery and cavalry


-Four ships sight over tho canal and up as far
as Skull creek