T. W. Sherman to The ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY, November 11, 1861
November 11, 1861.
Hilton Head, S. 0., November 11, 1861.
SrR: In addition to my report of the 8th instant, and after a more perfect examination into details, I have to state that the number of pieces of ordnance which have fallen into our hands is fifty-two, the bulk of which is of the largest caliber, all with fine carriages, &c., except eight or nine, that were ruined by our fire, which dismounted their pieces. A complete inventory of the amount of publie property captured is being prepared and will be duly furnished. Besides the wreck of small-arms, &c., thrown away by the rebels in their hasty retreat, as stated in my last, alight battery oftwo fine 12-pounder howitzers has been found to have been abandoned near the ferry, about 6 miles distant. I have also ascertained by examination that the flight of the rebels extended to Braddock’s Point, at the south end of the island, and about 15 miles distant, the fort at that point being deserted and its guns spiked. It has one 10-inch columbiad and two 54-inch guns.
On clearing out the fort at Hilton Head the dead body of Dr. Buist, formerly an assistant surgeon in the Army, was found in one of the galleries leading from the terre-plein to a caponiere, he having been killed by the explosion of a shell and buried by the falling in of a parapet. He was the principal surgeon of this fort.
The effect of this victory is startling. Every white inhabitant has left the island. The wealthy islands of Saint Helena, Ladies, and most of Port Royal are abandoned by the whites, and the beautiful estates of the planters, with all their immense property, left to the pillage of hordes of apparently disaffected blacks, and the indications are that the panic has extended to the fort on the north end of Reynolds’ Island, commanding the fine anchorage of Saint Helena Sound. Of this, however, I shall have satisfactory information in a few days. lam now in the occupation of the forts at Hilton Head, the two on Phillip’s Island, and the ove at Braddock’s Point. The task of unloading our vessels will be a very slow and difficult operation, in consequence of the extended shallow shores, until wharves ean be constructed; nevertheless it is expeeted to be able to leave here with a large force as soon as our defenses are fully under way, to further carry out the grand objects of the expedition.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
The ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY,
Washington, D. C.
No. 2.
eport of Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Drayton, C. S. Army, of the bom.
bardment of Forts Walker and Beauregard.
HpQRS. PROv. FoROES, THIRD Mir. DIST., DEPT. S. C.,