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it aSSteJiL KSSwv-Sc&Fiir?rtrwE!Et7ft " -1j ----- "TO CARE FOR HIM WHO HAS BORNE THE BATTLE, AND FOR HIS WIDOW AND ORPHANS XT. ESTABLISHED 1S77-NEW SERIES. WASHINGTON. D. CL THUHSDAY. MAY 12, 1892. -TWELVE PAGES. 70L. Xl-iSO. 41-WHOLE NO. 561. CAMPAIGN THROUGH T1-GAR0LM With Kilpatrick from Goldsboro to the Ead of the War. LiEE'S SURRENDER. Joy in Sherman's Ranks at the Glorious News. THE GRAND ROUNDUP. Scenes with Wheeler's Cavalry when They Surrendered. k" T Ml HJI v- M r? iUT A lOTH OHIO CAVALRYMAN. in. BOUT this time came the news that the Confederate Govern ment, -with Gen. Lee's army, had hastily abandoned K i c h - H$M&$ , disorder toward Dan ville, and that Gen. Grant's whole army was in close pursuit. "We inferred that Lee would succeed i n uniting with John ston somewhere in our front, where a great and decisive battle would he fought, for, "When Greek meets Greek then comes the tug of war." Thus, while we rejoiced over the good news, cur hopes became mingled with fear. On the 8th Sherman received from Grant the following dispatch, dated April 5: All indications now are that Lee Will attempt to reach Danville with tho remnant of his forces. Sheridan, who was up with him last night, reports all that is left with him horse, foot and drngoon &t 20,000. much demoralized. We hope to reduce this number one-half. I will push on to Burkes ville, and if a stand is made at Danville will, in a very few daysr go there. If you can possibly do so push on from where you are, and let us see if we cannot finish the Job with .Lee and Johnston's armies. Whether it will be better for you to btrike for Greentboro or nearer to Danville, you will bo better able to judge when you receive this, licbel armies now are the only points to strike at. Gen. Sherman replied immediately that' he would move on the 10 th, prepared to follow Johnston wherever he might go. With the addition of Schofield's and Terry's Corps Sherman's army numbered infantry, 60,9G3; artillery, 2,443; cavalry, 5,537; total, 88,948, with 91 guns. Promptly on Monday morning, April 10, the array moved direct on Smithfield; the right wing making a circuit by the right, while the left wing, supported by the center, moved on the two roads toward Raleigh, distant 50 miles. Gen. Terry's and Kil patrick's troops moved from their position on the south side of the Neuse Eiver by Cox's Bridge. The next day, without much opposition, the army reached Smithfield; found it abandoned, Johnston's army having retreated on Raleigh, burning the bridges after them, to restore which consumed the remainder of the day. At Smithfield Sherman received a dispatch from Gen. Grant that Lee had surrendered to him his whole army at Appomattox, which Sherman at once announced to his troops by the following order April 12: The General Commanding announces to the nrrny that he huh ofllcitil notice from Gen. Grant that Gen. Lee surrendered to him his entire army on the 3th instant at Appomattox Courthouse, Vn. Glory to God and our country 1 All honor to our comrades-in-arms, toward whom wcare matching. A little more labor, n little more toil on our part, and the race is won and our Governmcnt'stands regenerated after four long years of war. I well remember the next morning as we were advancing on Raleigh, when this news came, bow the boys threw away their over coats and blankets and went into the fight, and how they cheered and swung their hats when it was announced along the line that Lee's army had surrendered. It was about 10 o'clock in the morning, and the 10th Ohio Cav.,of the Second Brigade, led the ad vance, followed by the Third Brigade, while the First brought up the rear. "While our BkirmJsh-liuc was engaged with "Wheeler's forces, as they slowly gave ground, we heard a cheer away back in the rear. Col. Sander son inquired of me what it meant; and as it still continued, said he did not like the looks of things in the rear, and ordered me to hold the skirmishers while he rode back, as the cheer indicated trouble in that direction. The first impression was that Hampton's forces had worked around and struck the column in flank. Soon we heard a fresh outbreak nearer; then nearer, when upon looking back wc saw Capt. Cockley, one of Kilpatrick's Aids, riding rapidly up, his horse white with foam. Saluting the Colo nel, he said: "Announce to your regiment that Gen. Lee has surrendered." The Colo nel replied, while his sword dropped by his eide, "My God, is it possible? Then the war is ended." The perfect furore of rejoicing that fol lowed filled our eyes with tears AND OUR HEARTS WITH THANKSGIVING lo Almighty God for such glorious news. The grand old Army of the Potomac, after so many years, is thus crowned by Grant's genius with magnificent laurels. In the language of our noble General we all shouted, "Glory to God and our glorious country." Shortly after the cheer had died away, while we were still xressing Wheeler back, Kilpatrick rode up, giving Atkins instruc tions to bring up the balance of his brigade and make a charge on the center ; not to fire a "gun, but use the saber. The charge was made with that dash and boldness which characterized Kilpatrick's men, and the enemjs legions were turned back and scattered in confusion. "Wc captured a large number of prisoners. The advance was closety supported by Jordan's and Spencer's Brigades, and durinir the afternoon Kilpat rick, getting in Hampton's rear, drove three of "Wheeler's Brigades from their po sition, scattering them in every direction, hiking many more prisoners, among thjn ex-Senator Graham, Mr. Swain, President of Chapel Hill University, and a Surgeon Wnr ren, of the Confederate army, who had been sent down with a letter from Gov. Vance to Sherman asking protection for the citizens of Raleigh, the Capital of North Carolina. Tbey had run up before our lines across the railroad trac with a locomotive and one car with a flag of truce, to which they were not entitled. Still, in the interest of peace, it was respected and they were permitted to return to Raleigh. A few days before Yance was fearfully belligerent and valiant in his threats to de molish this army, but had fled, and could not be prevailed on to return, because he feared an arrest and imprisonment. On the "3tli Sherman entered Raleigh, where he ordered the several heads of col umn toward Ashville, in the direction of Salisbury or Charlotte, and by orders indi cated that the next movement would be on Ashboro, ifi turn the position of the enemy at " Company's Shops," in rear of If aw River Bridge, and at Greensboro to cut off his only available line of retreat to Salisbury and Charlotte. Gen. Kilpatrick, who was then on the right front of the right wiug, was to keep up a SHOW OF PUKSCIT in the direction of Hillsboro and Graham, but to be ready to cross Haw River on Gen. Howard's pontoon bridge at or near Pitts boro, and from thence to operate toward Greensboro. The right wing was to move out on the Chapel-Hill road in the direction of Chapel Hill University, to act with the center, the main column and trains, via Hackney's Crossroads, over Haw River, with cavalry on pontoons; the center to move on Holly Springs, New Hill, Haywood, and Moffitt's Mills; the left wing by the Aven's Ferry road, Carthage, Caledonia, and Cox's Mills. Kilpatrick's cavalry was still ahead. He had driven Wade Hampton's cavalry through Raleigh, while the infantry column took a more southerly course. For the past four days the cavalry had kept up a running fight with Wheeler's and Hampton's Legions, as they called them selves. We had captured, while crossing a swamp, a part of his wagon-train and nearly all of Wheeler's headquarters teams. I have a package of papers that I then picked up, belonging to his Qnarterraaster. On the morning the cavalry entered Chapel Hill we had quite a brisk skirmish with Wheeler's cavalry. His rear-guard gave ground stubbornly, aud as we came in sight of tbechurch spires of that beautiful shaded city the enemy's rear-guard hastily with- "Announce to Your Regiment that Gen. Lee Has Surrendered." drew through the town, taking a strong po sition among the hills to the west of the town. Having charge of the skirmish-line that morning, I noticed in the distance several men dressed in citizens' clothing approach ing with a white flag. As they came near I halted the line and rode forward to meet them. Dismounting, I was handed a pack age by an old gray-headed gentleman, who said he was the Mayor of Chapel Hill, and these men with him were the City Council (introducing them) ; that they had come out to ask protection in behalf of tho innocent women and children of that place, and to surrender their beautiful city into our hands, asking our merciful protection, praying that there be no unnecessary destruction of life or property, as they were helpless and without protection, altogether at our mercy. I re plied that so long as the enemy did not at tack, they need have no fears ; that their prayer would be respected, but iu the event of an attack while entering the city, the re sult must rest with them. I had previously sent my Orderly back to inform Col. Sander son that a flag of truce was in our front, and requesting that he ride forward. He very soon came up, and Kilpatrick was with him, to whom I handed the package. The Gen eral received them very cordially, shaking hands with each; opened and read the prayer of the truce, and gave them satisfac tory evidence that their request would be granted; then turning to Col. Sanderson he ordered him forward. As wo' moved in through the town no resistance was offered, hut as we passed by the University build ing a few REBEL FLAGS WERE WAVED AT UB, which we demanded and carried away. Tho short delay had given the enemy time to' withdraw outside the limits of tho town, where we found he had - -- Uncle Sam Here, I want you horse-fellows to hurry up and leave; I can't get any business done while you're here. D'ye understand? taken a strong position, and as we came up opened on us with shell. It was noon bo fore our line3 were formed and our artillery in position, when we opend with solid shot. After an hour of artillery duel their guns were silenced, when our skirmishers moved forward into tho dense woods which ob structed our view of their lines, but as we advanced soon became engaged and the racket went on, but there seemed to he some delay. The artillery had ceased firing and tho reserve did not come up, but wo kept blazing away all the same, until Mnj. Stratton, commanding battalion, ordered us to withdraw to tho edge of tho woods, dis mount, and wait further orders. Here wo lay till 3 o'clock, neither side firing a gun. Our cartridge-boxes were full. What could it mean? Had wo taken the wrong road ? No. Were we to advance ? No. The war was euded; we had fired our last round, but we did not know it. Becoming impatient, I rode back a short distance to get instructions from our Colonel, whom I found at the head of tho regiment, who were dismounted and the men stand ing at their horses' heads. I inquired: "What's up? Have wo runup against a snag?" No one could account for the de lay. Still further back I could see the bri gade was dismounted. After two hours' de lay the Second Brigade was ordered to fall back and go into camp, while tho First Bri gade was ordered to Durham Station and the Tb d Brigade to go into camp at Mid way. At officers' call that evening we re ceived the first intimation that Johnston desired an interview with Sherman, already described. Then followed the six days' armistice Thus on the 17th of April, 18G5, while be fore Chapel nill, N. C, Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division fired their last shot in defense of their country's cause. On the 14th Gen. Kilpatrick received by flag of truce a package from Gen. Johnston, addressed to Sherman, then at Raleigh, ac companied by a letter dated April 13, which reads as follows : JOHNSTON TO SHERMAN. Tho results of the recent campaign in Virginia have changed the relative military condition of tho belligerents. I am thercforo induced lo address you in this form, inquiring whether, to stop the further effusion of blood and devastation of prop erty, you aie willing to make a temporary suspen sion of active operations, and to communicate with Gen. Grant, commanding tho armies of the United States, the request that he will lake like action in regard to other armies, the object being to per mit the civil authorities to enter into tho needful arrangements lo terminate the existing war. To which Sherman replied on the 14h as follows : General: I have this moment received your communication of this date. I am fully empow ered to arrange with you any terms for the suspen sion of further hostilities between tho armies commanded by you and those commanded by my self, and will be willing to confer with you to that end. I will limit tho advance of my main column to-morrow to Morrisville, and tho cavalry lo tho University, and expect that you will also maintain the present position of your forco until cnoh lina notice of a failure to agree. That a basis of notion may be had, I undertake to abide by tho same terms aud conditions as were mado by Gens. Grunt and Lee at Appomattox Courthouse on llioOth Inst., relative to our two armies; and, furthermore, to obtain from Gen. Grant an order to suspend tho movements of any troops from tho direction of Virginia. Gen. Stoneman is under my command, and my order will suspend any doviulntion or de struction contemplated by him. I will add that I really deMre lo save the people of North Carolina the damage they will sustain by tho march of this army through the central or western parts of tho State, lam, with respect, your obedient servant, W. T. Sherman, Major-General. Sherman sent the above reply by his Aid-de-Camp, Col McCoy, up to Durham Sta tion, with instructions to receive tho an swer, to telegraph its contents back to him at Raleigh, and to arrange for an interview. On the 10th he received a reply from Gen. Johnston, agreeing to meet him tho next day at a point midway between our advance at Durham Station and his rear at Hillsboro. The next morning, entering the' cars to go up, tho telegraph operator informed him that ho was then receiving an imporlant dispatch for him from Morchead City, which he ought to see. It was from Mr. Stanton, announcing tho ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN, aud the attempt on tho life of Mr. Seward and son. Instructing the operator not to reveal the contents of the dispatch till he returned at night, he took the train for Durham Sta tion, where Geu. Kilpatrick had a squadron of cavalry drawn up to receive him. After spending a fevr moments at his headquar ters they mounted some led horses which he had prepared for himself and staff, and Gen. Kilpatrick sent a man ahead with a white flag, followed by a platoon, behind which they rode, followed by the balance of the escort. -"- They rode up the Hillsboro road about "five miles, when their flag-bearer discovered another coming to meet them. They met, and passed word back that Gen. Johnston was near at hand, when Sherman rode for ward and met Johnston on horseback, with Wade Hampton by his side. They shook hands, am? introduced their respective attendants. TJ ay had never met before, though both had been in the Regular Army many years. What look place be tween Sherman and Johnston during the afternoon, at the Burnett House, is still fresh in the memory of the readers of The National Tribune. The two belligerents met for the first time side by side, to Bolve and to end tho war as quickly as possible. Johnston thinking during tho night he could procure authority to act in the name of all the Confederate armies then in exist ence, they agreed to meet the next day at noon at the same place, and parted, he for Hillsboro and Sherman for Raleigh. They rode back to tho station in the same order they had come. Reaching Raleigh that night, ShermafM published tho following orders to the army, announcing the assassin ation of tho President; and I doubt if in all the land there were more sincere mourn ers over his sad fate and untimely end than there were among Sherman's army in and about Rale' I remembet our Colonel that evening called all his officers together, when the Adjutant read lo us SHERMAN'S SPECIAL FIELD ORDER. The General commanding announces with pain nnd sorrow, that on the evening of Iho 1-Hli instant, at a theater in Washington City, his Excellency, tho President of tho United States, Mr. Lincoln, was assassinated by 0110 who uttered the State motto of Virginia. At the sanio time, tho Secre tary of State, Mr. Seward, while suffering from n broken arm, was also stabbed by another murderer in his own house, but still survives, and liis son ft I 111 mm WmU iiscgc pit Arranging the Surrender. was wounded, supposed fatally. It is hollovcd by persons capable of 'judging, that other high officers were designed to oharo tho same fate. Thus ft sooms that our enemy, despahing of meet ing us in open, manly warfare, begins to lcsort to tho assassin's tools. Your General does not wish you lo infer that this is universal, for lie knows that tho great mass of Iho Confederate army would scorn to sanction such nets; but he believes it tho legitimate couso quence of rebellion against rightful authority. Wo linvo met every phaso which this war has assumed, nnd must now bo prepared for it in its last and worst shape, thai of assassins and guerrillas; but woo unto tho peoplo who soek to expend their wild passions in such a manner, for thero is but 0110 dread result. In sadness wo parted aud returned to our tents to announce to our companies at roll call the sad news wo had learned. The next morning Sherman aain took the train for Durham Station, accompanied by most of his personal staff, nnd by Gens. Blair, Barry and Howard. Reaching Dur ham they mounted nnd rodo with tho same escort of the day before to Bennett's house, reaching thero at noon. Gen. Johnston and Wade Hampton soon arrived, while Mr. Breckinridge, Secretary of War of tho Con federate States, arrived later. TERMS OF AGREEMENT. The following memorandum or basis of agreement was mado April 18, 18G5, near Durham Station, N. C, between Gen. Joseph E.Johnston, commanding Confederate army, and Maj.-Gen. W. T. Sherman, commanding the army of the United States. 1. Tho contending nrmics now in tho field to maintain tho atulu quo until notico is givon by tho Commanding General lo nny one of it opponents, and reasonable time say 48 hours allowed. 2. Tho Confcdcrnto armies now In existenco to bo discharged and conducted to their several State Capitals, thero to deposit their arms and public property in tho Stato arsenal; nnd each officer and man to executo nnd filo an ngreomont to cease from acts of war and to abide tho action of the State and Federal authority. Tho number of nrui3 and munitions of war to be reported to tho Chiof of Ordnnnco at Washington City, subject to the futuro action of tho Congress of tho United Stales. In tho meantime to bo used solely to maintain peace and good ordor within tho borders of tho Stales re spectively. 3. Tiie recognition, by the Executive of the United States, of the several State Governments, on their officers nnd Legislatures taking Iho oath prescribed by tho Constitution of tho United Slates, and where conflicting Stato Governments have resulted from tho war, the legitimacy of all shall be submitted to tho Supremo Court of tho United States. 4. Tho establishment of all the Federal courts in the several States, with powers as defined by the Constitution of the United States and of tho States respectively. 0. Tho peoplo and inhabitants of all tho Stales to bo guaranteed, so far ns the Executive can, their political rights nnd franchises, as well ns their rights of person and properly, ns defined by tho United States and of the Stntos respectively. C. Tho Executive authority of tho Government of the United Stntos not to disturb any of tho peo plo by reason of tho lalo war, so long ns Ihey live in pcaco and quiet, nbstain from acts of armed hos tilities, nnd obey tho laws in existenco aVthe placo of their residence 7. In general terms, tho war to ccaso, A GENERAL AMNESTY, ho far as tho Executive of the United States can commnnd, on condition of tho disbnndment of the Confcdcrnto armies, the distribution of tho arms and tho resumption of peaceful pursuits by tho officers and men hitherto composing said armies. Not being fully empowered by our respective principals lo fulfill these terms, wo individually and officially pledge ourselves to promptly obtain tho necessary authority and to carry out tho above program. During the interval while the memoran dum was being made and signed the staff officers and escort of both Generals com mingled together in friendly congratulations that the war was ended. The plain black walnut table on which kv.fc 0V .l-it IKu ".! js ra-A tw? ?A,Ml!Jlli W V'll I A It wv:)P Y vfliiirYtoJil 'ill "sm w A1 "A White Flag in Their Front." this document was written and signed was afterward purchased by Capt. David Cockley, of the 10th Ohio Cav., then Aid on Kil patrick's staff, who had an office desk mado from it, for which ho was offered S350, but refused to part with it, and ho still retains it. These papers were conveyed to Washing ton by Maj. Hitchcock, who got off on the morning of the 20th. Meantime the array remained slatu quo. The cavalry, with headquarters at Durham Station, extended down along the front be low Chapel nill, a distance of 20 miles. Tho railroad from Goldsboro to Raleigh had been repaired, when supplies and the mails came regularly to the latter place. The history of the armistice, and of ils disapproval, are parts of the political history of those days rather than -ho military cam paign. It is only"" .cessary to say hero that the agreement reached Washington when tho members of the Administration and the leaders in Congress were under the influence of a panic resulting from a belief that the Confederate leaders, conscious of tho des peration of their cause, hud organized a plot for tho murder, not only of the President, but all of his Cabinet and the principal Geuerals of the army. Even Geu. Halleck, at Washington, had sent n dispatch to Sher man describing tho man (his name said to be Clark) detailed to assassinate him. Sher man replied: " He had better he in n hurry, or ho will be too late." No trait in Gen. Sherman's character was more marked than his loyal subordination to his superiors iu army rank or in the State. Full of confidence in his own views, and vigorous in urging them, HE NEVER COMPLAINED at being overruled, and instantly adapted his military conduct to the orders he re ceived. When at once all debate was closed by specific direction from those' in authority, ho did not know that Gen. Grant had been directed to have no negotiations with Geu. Lee except for tho military surrender of his army, aud he overestimated the importance, as a guard against anarchy, of having a formal agreement of submission made in tho name of all the Southern people. His armistice and convention with Gen. Johnston was subject to confirmation or re jection. Ho had givon to his Government the opportunity of doing either, or of taking the negotiation into tho control of civil offi cers and modifying it. Had President Johnson simply said to him that tho ar rangement was inadmissible, nnd that he must resume the campaign unless the Con federate General made an unconditional surrender, ho would have obeyed not only without protest, but without any thought of complaint. But instead of this, the Secretary of War published the agreement as if he was pro claiming a discovered treason, nnd was ap pealing to tho country to snstain the Gov ernment against a formidable enemy in our own camp. Gen. Grant was then hurried to Raleigh to supervise Sbermnn in control of his army, and to take away his responsibility, leaving him only a nominal command. Even this, perhaps, would have been taken from him had not the same unfounded fears made the authorities do the army the injustice of sup posing it, too, might rebel. Gen. Grant's practical, cool, unselfish judgment made him turn his presence at Raleigh into an apparent visit of congratu lation, and to consult with Gen. Sherman, who had promptly given the stipulated notice of the terms of the armistice before Gen. Grant's arrival, in the following com munication, dated April 24 : Gen. Joiisoton, Commanding Confederate Army: You will take notice that the truce, or suspension of hostilities, agreed to between us will cense in t8 hours after thi is received at your lines, under the first nrticlo of agreement. At the same time he inclosed the follow ing short note: I have replies from Washington to my communi cation of April 18. I am instructed to limit my operntion to your immediate command, and not to attemp civil negotiations. I therefore DKMAND THE SURRENDER OP YOUR ARMY on the same tcrni3 as wero given to Gen. Lee at Appomuttox, April 0. These papers were shown to Gen. Grant before they were sent, and had his approval. At the same time orders were sent to nil parts of the army to be ready to resume the pursuit of the enemy on the expiration of tho 48 hours' truce. On the same evening Sherman received an answer from Johnston, asking to meet him again at Bennett's house at noon the next day. At this date, April 2G, Sherman for the third time went up to Durham Station and on t to Bennett's house, where they again met, and Johnston withouthesitationordelay agreed to and then and there executed the final terms of settlement which ended the war. Sherman then returned to Raleigh, and Gen. Grant approved aud signed the terms. During tho morning Kilpatrick had re ceived instructions to renew the pursuit, and promptly at 12 m. the bngle sounded "assembly" through all our corps, soon followed by "boots and saddles," when the cavalry formed column and moved out with a cheer while our campfires still burned. Before tho Second and Third Brigades had reached Durham Station the order was countermanded, and we returned to camp and the Second Brigade to Chapel Hill. The terms entered into and signed by Johnston and Sherman at this date were a3 follows: 1. All nets of war on the part of tho troops under Gen. Johnston's command to cease from thi3 date. 2. All nrms and public property to bo deposited at Greensboro, and delivered to an Ordnance offi cer of the United States army. 3. Rolls of all tho officers nnd men to bo made in duplicate; one copy to be retained by the com mander of the troops and the other to bo given to an officer to bo designated by Sherman. Each officer and mnn to bo given his individual obliga tion, in writing, not to tako up arms against tho Government of the United Stales until properly released from this obligation. 4. Tho sldc-nrms of officers and thoir private horses nnd baggngo to bo retained by them. 5. This being done, nil officers and men will be permitted to return to their homes, not to be dis turbed by tiie United States authorities so long as they observe their obligation and the laws in forco where they may reside. W. T. SnERjus-, Major-Gcncral, commanding United States forces in North Carolina. J. E. JonxsTON-, General, commanding Confedernto States forces In North Carolina. Approved: - U. S. Grant, Lieutennnt-General. PAROLING TnE REBELS. The duty of receiving the arms of the late Confederate army and of issuing the parols was committed to Gen. J. M. Schofield. These were prepared at Greensboro, near the old battleground of Guilford Courthouse, where, in the war of the Revolution, Gen. Green had won laurels in an important en gagement with Lord Cornwallis. Shortly afterward Gen. Hardee met Gen. Schofield and conducted him to Johnston's Headquarters at Greensboro, where the ordnance was turned over and parols made aud signed. - Gen. Wade Hampton, still unreconcilablo, had refused to bring in his cavalry for sur render, and these wero scattering over the country, many making their way homo ns best they could. Some 4,000 men, both cav alry and infantry, had deserted from their ranks since the beginning of the armistice, fearing it might end in their being held as prisoners of war. On the third morning after tho .armistice was signed, Gen. Kilpatrick was sent out with his division to engage Gen. Wheeler's command, then supposed to be about 25 miles from Greensboro. At night we camped within a few miles of him, expecting to attack him early the next morning. The 10th Ohio Oav., of the Second Brigade, had the advance. We had halted about 5 o'clock in a long strip of woods, preparatory to going into camp ; our column was strung along the road for miles back. The right of the column had filed out by company on both sides of the road, while a detail was being made for picket. The men had dis mounted, and were unsaddling their horses, when we noticed quite a distance up the road cavalry coming. By the aid of our glasses wo discovered that they were John nies. "Assembly," then "boots and sad dles," were quickly sounded, nnd in a mo ment we wero iu the saddle. One company was thrown forward, while the regiment formed across the road. A few men had been sent forward as skirmishers, and as they dashed forward noticed (Continued on second pa-jo.) POUT HpYAL S. G. Capture of Rebel Forts at Head and Eay Point. Hilton- PREPARING FOR ACTIOS; The Fleet Moves to Attack tho Forts in Two Squadrons is. GREAT KATAL BATTLE Capt. Rodgers Raises the Stars and Stripes on Sacred Soil. BY JAMES H. HAItOLP. I.IEUTErrAT, 1st IT. ?. EXGINEEns, DIIXELrEN-, N. J. II. S the reconnoitering vessels drew nearthS rebel batteries the one on Hilton Head opened on them, this being the first limi positive knowledge was had of thero being any guns tit this point. Bay Point batteries also opened npon thea By careful ob3ervai tion it was deter mined that the Hil ton Head battery contained 23 guns'. and the battery at Eay Point 16. As a re connoisanco was only to be made it was no4 deemed necessary to attempt to rout tha rebels. By 9 0. m. the fleet outside of tha bar, consisting of the Wabash, Susquehanna Bienville, and several others, got under way and came in. On arriving at a point nea2 J1 Landing of Capt. Eogehs. the southeast channel they came to anchor to await the rising of the tide. At inter vals the rebels would try to reach the anchored fleet with one of their rifled gnnsv Not meeting with any success, they soon ceased firing. At 4 o'clock the Waba3h, followed by the Susquehanna and several of the smaller gun boats, started up to open the fight, but it was decided not to attack to-night, and jusfc a3 they were about to give the fort3 a broad side the Wabash grounded on an unknown shoal, and this affair at once had the effect; of throwing out tho signals to return to anchorage out of the enemy's range. At 6 o'clock the ship3 were all at anchor1, with the light-draft gunboat3 in an ad vanced position to act as picket?. Just a3 the fleet were anchoring the Hilton Head battery fired two g s in quick succession, but as the ship3 paid no attention to it they did not fire any more. This day closes with an immense amount of work accomplished; the channels have been buoyed and a very heavy frigate and a LABGE fleet put in battle array. Wednesday, Nov. 6. Thi3 day come3 in with n very strong breeze and quite a sweH in the harbor, so much so that it was thought impossible to manuver such a largo fleet to advantage, and under the circum bJ' WMW J J vow) Destruction of TnE Fort. stances the fleet lay quietly at anchor. Tha Ericsson, E. B. Forbes, and several other vessels arrived at the bar to-day. Several of the smaller craft who have not come to hand have been given up as lo3t. Thnrsday, Nov. 7. A lovelier morning had not dawned upon this bay in many pj week. Tho water was a3 smooth a3 the sur4 face of a mirror, and there was scarcely enough wind to blow the smoke from a gun! sitbuld it be fired. At 7 a. m. breakfast? pennants were hoisted on the war vessels showing plainly that tho meal wa3 an houj? in advance of the usual time. At 7:30 thero were no less than seven rebel gunboats lit. sight, one of which was recognized ns th Gen. Clinch, so well known in Charleston affairs. At 9 a. m. the signal for weighing