and were soon unconscious of all around; none | smashing the ambulance to pieces. When this but those who commanded, but what sought re- intelligence reached head-quarters, Surgeons pose and tried to shut out the events of the day. Wirts and White, with another ambulance, At midnight, Col. Sedgewick was summoned upon which they hoisted a red hospital flag, by General Rosecrans, and ordered to select proceeded to the place for the two unfortunate about three hundred of his best shots, and, be- men. No sooner had they made their appearfore daylight, post them along the river road, | ance, however, than the rebels opened a heavy to engage those of the rebels posted on the op- fire upon the party. Dr. Wirts waved the red posite side. Long before daylight, that select-flag, but they disregarded it and kept up the ed band moved stealthily out of camp, and, firing. They finally succeeded in bearing off under the colonel's directions, were soon well the wounded man, who proved to be a member disposed of behind trees, rocks, and logs, from of Company I, from Ohio; but so hot was the the camp down to Gauley Bridge. Arriving fire that they were compelled to leave the dead here, he left his horse, and pulled across the one until night. Upon their return, the flag river in a skiff, the rebel battery having stopped was found to be full of bullet holes. I had the ferry, and, after delivering his despatches heard that the rebels had in other cases fired to Gen. Cox, who was then stationed on the upon the hospital flag, but could not believe lower side of the river, he returned, and, that they were so recreant and degraded; but mounting his horse, started toward camp. By now I know it, have had the proof positive, this time it was broad daylight, and he had not and am sorry to know that I am engaged in gone one hundred yards before he was greeted warfare against a people so completely depraved with a volley of rebel bullets. He was in a as to have no respect for the cries of the trying position. To retreat was impossible wounded and dying. to go forward was almost certain death. The rebel riflemen lined the opposite shore. He was the only person visible on the road, and was mounted on his large gray horse, an easy mark. When he became aware that he was the only person shot at, he paused for a moment, not more than ten yards from the rock where I was posted. I saw him set his lips firmly together, dash his spurs into his horse, and in a second he had dashed past. The next moment a shower of balls splattered against the rocks which he had just passed. Thus he ran the gauntlet for three miles to the camp, and, out of more than a hundred shots fired at him, but one struck him, that on the knee, cutting a furrow through the skin. During the entire day the firing was kept up incessantly from the infantry, but the rebel artillery was all concentrated at a point commanding the ferry. Here the shell and shot from their battery fell thick and fast The boat was sunk by a shot from their rifled cannon, and the shell from their howitzers compelled the Eleventh Ohio regiment to evacuate their camp. About two o'clock P. M. Capt. Simmons, of our artillery, succeeded in getting one of his rifle guns in position on a hill below the bridge, and was soon exchanging shot for shot with them, but they still kept up a continual firing, our shots seeming to take no effect upon their battery, until night again closed upon the scene. The carpenters then set to work and soon completed another boat; this was kept running all night, crossing wagons with supplies for the army above us, who had well-nigh run dry. On Wednesday we were all gratified by the arrival of a battery of six "Parrott" rifled cannon, ten-pounders, and that night a company of the First Kentucky regiment, under Lieutenant Dryden, of Jeffersonville, pulled two of them up the steep mountain side to an elevation commanding the hills on the other side. The next morning the rebels opened out early. In a few minutes after their first shot, Capt. Simmons sighted one of the "Parrotts" and let drive at them. The rebel cannon stopped for a moment, as if in surprise at the effect of our shot, then fired again. Simmons let them have it again from both the ten-pounders, when, in the emphatic language of the poet, they "skadad-eld," or, in other words, left; at least, no more was heard of them, and up to this time none of them have showed themselves on the hills. They had learned to treat our howitzers and six-pounders with indifference, but the Parrott gun carries a ten-pound shot five miles; that was too much for them, and they retired after a siege of seven days, during which we lost three men only, but had any number of narrow escapes. Their loss we do not know, but believe it large, as a number of bodies were seen carried off. The ferry is now making regular trips, and communication is uninterrupted. The troops in Western Virginia are now situated as follows: the First and Second Kentucky and Eleventh Ohio regiments constitute General Cox's brigade, the First Kentucky under Lieut.-Col. Enyart and the Eleventh Ohio under Col. De Villiers, (who was captured with Col. Woodruff and has since made his escape,) occupy the ground around Gauley Bridge; the Second Kentucky, under Col. Sedgewick, with a cavalry company and one piece of artillery At daylight the next morning hostilities again commenced on the same plan. At twelve o'clock news came to camp that they had killed one of the Second Kentucky and wound-attached, are the body guard of General Roseed another. An ambulance was immediately sent to the spot to bring them off, but the rebels fired upon it, one ball striking the horse, who ran off, throwing the driver out, and crans, and are encamped with him at Tompkins Farm. General Schenck's brigade is eight miles above; Col. McCook's, consisting of three German regiments, is five miles above; General Benham's brigade is at Cannelton, seven miles below Gauley Bridge, and Col. Tyler, with the Seventh Ohio and Second Virginia regiments, has possession of Charleston, thirty-eight miles below, the whole under Gen. Rosecrans. The paymaster paid off our regiment yesterday, and everybody seems to be happy, and everybody wants leave to go home. Furloughs and leaves of absence are in demand; our little colonel is obliging as many as possible, and ere many days Louisville will be full of blue-coated Second Kentuckians, with pockets full of money and mouths full of daring deeds and miraculous escapes. They deserve a hearty welcome at your hands, for no troops ever upheld the honor of a State more nobly, under as many difficulties, as the "bloody Second" has that of our own gallant State. Adjutant Welhedel has just left for home, and ere many days, unless we have a big fight, you may see, Yours truly, KENTUCKIAN. COL. SEDGEWICK'S LETTER. The health of the regiment is very excellent, and we now number more men for duty than any regiment in Virginia, (eight hundred and eighty-four men,) although we have followed and fought the rebels since July last, from Guyandotte to Big Sewell Mountain, and back to this place. CINCINNATI "COMMERCIAL" ACCOUNT. Since I last wrote to you, every thing has passed off quietly here until yesterday, although the secesh have been in sight of us for the last four or five days, on the opposite side of the river. They have now a force, as near as we can ascertain, of from fourteen to fifteen thousand, and six or eight four and sixpounders. Yesterday morning they opened the fire on our trains from the opposite side, and kept up a constant fire from rifles and musketry. I was the first one they opened out on in the morning. Whilst I was going down the road to visit the pickets, I run the gauntlet for over a mile down to the bridge, and they came pretty close to me several times. When I returned they opened out again worse than ever, and I escaped them all. I have a good horse, who soon landed me safe out of their reach, and I took the news to camp, which soon stopped all wagon trains passing down, although some had started down the hill and had to go at full run, some escaping very narrowly-the bullets going through the wagons. No other damage done. The rebels succeeded in planting a fourpounder on the point of the hill commanding the ferry, when they opened out with shell and round shot; several of their shots falling short and into the river, doing no damage, only keepThe rebels have been gathering for some time ing our wagons from crossing. They kept up past on the opposite side of the river, and the fire until Capt. Simmons opened out with during the last three days a constant and terri- one of his six-pound rifle cannon, which soon fic fire of artillery and musketry has been kept made them quiet, and our boys, with rifles and up on both sides. On yesterday they succeeded muskets, kept up a constant firing until dark, in killing a private of the Thirteenth Ohio Vol- when every thing quieted down on account of unteer regiment, and private Hyer of Company the darkness and rain. During the afternoon, D (Woodward Guards) of our regiment. The Capt. McMullin got three of his mountain howtwo men lay where they fell for some time-itzers to work, which did some fine work. the fire from the rebel side being so hot that it was almost impossible to bring them off. During the day, Doctors Wirts and White, with an ambulance, upon which they hoisted a red hospital flag, proceeded to the spot to bring them off. They no sooner showed themselves than they were greeted with a shower of bullets. They waved the flag, but still the fire was kept up. They finally succeeded in bringing off private Hyer, but were compelled to leave the body of the dead soldier until after dark, when a party of my men brought him from the spot. I have heard of the enemy firing on our hospitals and upon red flags, but did not believe they were so depraved. I have now witnessed it-can testify to it-and consequently know what kind of enemies we have to deal with, and shall govern myself and command accordingly. With many thanks for your kindness, I am, with much respect, yours, &c., T. SEDGEWICK, Commanding Second Kentucky Regiment, U. S. A. At the First Kentucky camp they had considerable firing, and, as far as I could learn, no one was hurt there. They are located on the Kanawha at the falls. Three companies of the First crossed the river below the falls, and got on top of the hill, but returned by dinner time, as they were unable to do any good from their position; but whenever any of the rebels showed themselves, they would make them hunt the bushes. Saturday, Nov. 2. As The morning opened with a dense fog, so that we could not see any distance--but taking due advantage, we got our men well posted on the road and mountain side, and passed over several of our wagons without trouble. soon as all was clear, we found our friends on the other side had been as industrious as ourselves, for they had cut a road and placed a sixpounder on the point, and had the hills full of their riflemen, and so opened the ball. They opened out with their cannon on Gauley Bridge and the commissary and store-houses, but did not reach or hit them. One shot struck the ferry-boat, doing but little damage, but they found a formidable enemy to oppose them, in the shape of Capt. Simmons' battery, who soon made them play out. He silenced them by two o'clock, from the other side of Gauley. In the mean time about one hundred of our boys were giving them a hot time from this side, with rifles and muskets, which was kept up until about three P. M., when the rebels, finding it too hot, commenced leaving their hiding places, and it was much sport for our boys to see them running. Whenever they had a clear place to pass, the boys would help them along faster by sending despatches to them. For a long time some of our men were close enough to talk across the river to them, and many amusing remarks were exchanged. When our boys wanted to find out where they were secreted, they would ask them if they did not want salt or a drink of good old Bourbon, &c., &c., which would be responded to by "Oh, you d-d Yankees," &c., when the response would be by half-a-dozen bullets whistling among them, which our boys call telegraph despatches. This kind of warfare don't suit our boys. They want them to come out and show themselves, and many a challenge was sent to them to come out and give us a fair fight, and not be so cowardly. Toward evening we noticed their forces retreating back along the top of the mountain. We could plainly see their wagons and cavalry moving off on the doublequick, with several regiments of infantry, withdrawing toward Lewisburgh. What their intentions are we know not, but I rather think they don't like the style of the Second Kentucky's shooting. They have found out that we are as good at the bush whack as they are, and can shoot as well. This evening and afternoon all is quiet, and trains are passing without any trouble. Gen. Rosecrans thinks the Second Kentucky are some in a fight, and says he would like to see them in a clear open fight, for they would go in one side, and cut them selves through and come out the other side. The number of their killed or wounded we do not know, but from one point on New River is a log-house, where they were seen to carry off four bodies; and from where our battery was playing on them, several were seen to fall, and were carried off. Our little Col. Sedgewick was down the road when they opened out on him. He jumped from his horse, and took a rifle from one of the men, and made one of the five rebels bite the dust. The rebel fell dead, and was carried off by his comrades, when they had a hot time getting out of sight and back to their holes. Col. S. escaped with a slight flesh wound in the leg, just below the knee. He mounted his noble charger, (by the way, one presented to him at Camp Dennison,) and the finest horse in this division. I might wind up by saying that our men are in fine health, and look well in their winter suits, and the best of all is, the paymaster is on hand, and will pay them to-morrow. We would have been paid yesterday, but the excitement, and the road being impassable, he could not get up from Gauley, where he makes his headquarters. I imagine he thought it rather a hot place this morning. He will be welcomed in the morning. You shall hear from me again soon. Sunday Evening, Nov. 3, 9 P. M. P. S.-Early this morning the rebels again opened a heavy fire on our trains, and killed a private belonging to the Thirteenth Ohio, whose name we could not learn, and wounded a private belonging to Company D, of Second Kentucky, by the name of Hyer; the ball struck his leg and broke it. No other damage done; but the rebels are working hard on the Kanawha, and we now anticipate a hard fight before they are whipped out. The Thirteenth, Twelfth, and Tenth Ohio have crossed over the Gauley, and gone down to Cannelton. Our movements are now uncertain for the present. Should we have any thing of a fight, you may depend on the lively Second Kentucky doing their duty. Every preparation on our part is in course of erection. Gen. Cox is down at Gauley, and Gen. Rosecrans is at his head-quarters with us. So look out for lively times this way. Doc. 137. BATTLE OF PORT ROYAL, S. C.,* ON BOARD THE BIENVILLE, Nov. 12. Southern naval expedition, and which played a ONE of the vessels attached to the great most important part in the affair, was the United States steam gunboat Bienville; a steamer whose reputation for fleetness stood second to none in the service of the Government, and which, as you will perceive, held the post of honor throughout the engagement with the batteries at Hilton Head. I took passage on the Bienville, which left on the 23d, having in had orders to proceed with to Fortress Monroe. tow the Brandywine, which Capt. Steedman He arrived at the latter point at nine o'clock on the morning of the 29th, and met the fleet just tended destination, which at that time was unon the point of coming out en route for its inknown to any one on board our ship. As I stood on the quarterdeck of the Bienville and sighted the noble vessels as they gallantly rode out one after another, I felt an enthusiasm, a faith in the might and power of the Government to vindicate itself, and to perpetuate those institutions that have made us one of the foremost nations of the earth, such as I never before experienced. The day broke most beautifully, proving to be one of the finest of the season-a happy omen of that success that has far ex See Doc. 36, page 101, ante, ceeded our most sanguine expectations. The | day of sailing had so long been delayed that it seemed as if one could feel the sensation of relief experienced by the thirty thousand brave hearts who were anxious to meet the enemy on the soil of his much vaunted chivalry, and who could hardly repress their joy at being fairly in motion. The vessels came out in regular order, the Wabash acting as flag-ship, and taking the lead, and the others following in the positions as signed them. Having received our orders to join the fleet, we did so, having the Brandywine still in tow, and taking up a position in the rear of the main column. Late on Wednesday afternoon we encountered a severe gale off Cape Hatteras, which at one time threatened to do serious damage to the flag-ship of the fleet. The thorough sea-going qualities of the Bienville enabled her to ride the gale out safely, but Capt. Steedman deemed it his duty to lay to during the early part of the ensuing day, lest some vessel of the fleet might have been disabled and need assistance. Thursday proved to be another beautiful day. The gale subsided as the sun arose, and about noon we proceeded again on our voyage. The second gale which we encountered, and the effects of which were experienced along the whole line of the southern coast, was one of the most terrific character. I had never before had an opportunity of witnessing a grand storm at sea. I have often been out in what is termed rough weather, but I never witnessed any thing so thorougly terrific as was this storm, in which we supposed the larger portion of the fleet would be wrecked or so disabled as to render it inefficient for the accomplishment of its mission. The increase of the gale was gradual from four o'clock Friday morning until midnight, at which time it was at its height. One moment we were on the top of a wave, and could distinguish the position of the vessels in the fleet by the multitude of signal lights that were swung in the rigging, and the next instant we were down in the trough of the sea, with the avalanche of waters rearing its giant walls each side of our noble craft, and threatening to engulf us in its folds. To add to our consternation, the rain poured down in torrents as the night closed in, and the darkness became intense, being relieved only by the lightning that broke in sheets of flame from the heavens, almost blinding our eyes and rendering the darkness more intense. Sailing-Master Smith, of the Bienville, says that in a thirty-five years' experience he never encountered so terrific a storm as this. The storm would not have caused so great anxiety had we been alone on the water; but conscious as we were that fifty other steamers and transports, freighted with thousands of precious lives, were all about us, and that we were liable at any moment to come into collision with some one of them, filled our hearts with fear, and made the stoutest among us quail. We could not reconcile ourselves to believe that an enterprise in which the hopes of the country were centred, and which was to render such signal service in the holiest of causes, could be permitted to be destroyed by the fury of the conflicting elements; but we could do no more than make all snug on board, and patiently await the issue. On Saturday night the gale had in a great degree subsided, and we were gratified to learn that the majority of the vessels composing the expedition had rode it out better than could have been expected. No vessel in the fleet suffered more or was in greater jeopardy than the transport Winfield Scott, from the storm. Heavily loaded, and not calculated to weather safely the fierceness of such a gale, her position was eminently critical. From the deck of the Bienville it was easy to see the activity of the men in tossing overboard their tents and muskets, and every thing that was of movable character, to lighten the vessel. She had on board a portion of the Thirtieth Pennsylvania regiment, altogether four hundred and fifty soldiers. At length a signal was given to our ship to heave to and save her, the signal indicating that she was leaking, and likely, at any moment, to sink. Promptly did our commandant respond to the appeal for aid. As stated above, the storm was at its most furious height. The waves rolled mountainhigh. It did not seem that any small boat could live an instant in such a sea. "Who will volunteer to save the Winfield Scott?" asked Captain Steedman. "I, I," shouted a score of voices. Three small boats were at once lowered, and quickly in them some thirty brave men of our crew, willing to risk their lives to save the endangered crew of the leaking ship. Two of these boats were swamped, and also one of the Winfield Scott's small boats. The scene was one of intense excitement. From the Bienville hawsers were thrown out, and no lives, fortunately, were lost. Our steamer at one time came so near the Winfield Scott that the cathead of the latter ran into our quarter. Taking advantage of the proximity, some fifty soldiers leaped upon the Bienville. A few were not successful, the leap being one to death. Three were crushed in the collision, and their lifeless bodies fell into the engulfing waves below. The jump for life, the crash, and wild shriek and splash in the water of the inanimate forms of the killed, were the work of a moment. The whole was a scene of tragic interest, and one that will never be forgotten by any who witnessed it. It was feared by the officers of the Bienville that our steamer might become seriously endangered through our proximity to the Winfield Scott. Finally, with good fortune, the leakage of the transport was stopped through throwing overboard tents and guns. The storm began to abate, and our steamer was enabled to withdraw from her side. I learned from the soldiers who jumped on the Bienville, that the most intense panic prevailed on the Winfield Scott. It was in the height of this panic that the men wildly flung their muskets and tents into the sea. The leak was between the wood and iron work, and above the watermark, and on the vessel being lightened, of course a stop was put to the flowing in of water. Meantime the men were separated in divisions, and detailed to work the pumps. They worked nearly thirty-six hours uufalteringly and without complaint. All believed that the worst was over on which depended their lives, and, impressed with this belief, they labored forgetful of food or sleep. One of my informants, soldier though he now is, stated that he had followed the sea for ten years, and during this time he had been shipwrecked three times. He never saw such a storm, and he hoped never to see such another. We arrived at Port Royal on Sunday evening, Nov. 3d, being some twelve hours in advance of the fleet, the advance ships of which did not heave in sight until the following morning. On the arrival of the Wabash, Commodore Dupont ordered us to leave the Brandywine and run down to Savannah in search of the frigate Sabine, which we had orders to tow up. Being unable to find her, however, we returned, but were again ordered back to cruise for her during the ensuing night. On our return, we ascertained that we were to be the advance ship of the starboard column in the engagement, which would give us the post of honor. During our absence in search of the Sabine, the steamers Vixen and Mercury, supported by three of the new gunboats, had advanced up the harbor for the purpose of buoying out the channel, and marking the line of position and advance of the respective columns. This was accomplished with the most complete success, and proved one of the most admirable of the many well-laid plans that tended to our ultimate success. The points had been well ascertained, and the major part of the soundings taken before the rebel batteries opened fire, which they did on one of the gunboats during the afternoon. The surgeon and his assistants were busy in the cockpit spreading out their finely tempered instruments, opening packages of lint, and taking those precautions so necessary, and yet that augur such fearful things to come. From our gallant commander, Steedman-himself a South Carolinian by birth, but a thorough Union man for all that-down to the powder-boys who stood in their bare feet, and with shirt sleeves rolled up ready for their work, every heart beat high, and waited with anxiety for the moment of action, which was hourly expected to be signalized from the flag-ship. On Thursday morning, at 9 o'clock, the flagship Wabash signalled to form in the order of battle. The flag-ship led the main column, and the Bienville led the starboard column, having her position on the Susquehanna's starboard quarter and maintaining it during the entire action. They were drawn up in the following order: The arrangement of the ships was a work of speedy accomplishment. They presented a noble and magnificent spectacle. It was apparent to all that the great mission upon which we had been sent, was now about to be undertaken in hearty earnest. Every heart beat high with hope, though most well knew that the forts and batteries of the enemy about to be attacked, had been erected under the guidance of enlarged military experience and practical skill, and that behind those distant ramparts, now so obscurely visible, were men whose numbers were as yet unknown, and who, it was confidently supposed, would defend the soil-especially that of South Carolina, the State that had taken the lead in the rebellion-with desperate and unyielding courage, and if need be, their life's blood. Meantime the transports lay outside, awaiting proper opportunity to land their troops. By Tuesday afternoon every thing had been put in readiness, and the fleet fully prepared for action. It was about 4 o'clock, however, before the Wabash signalized the advance, and it was The ships made the entrance of the Port Royal then so late that it was deemed advisable to channel. At the point between the forts, it is defer the attack until the following day. Wed-twenty-five hundred yards wide. As the fleet nesday morning opened with heavy weather, and the attack was again deferred until it should subside. Meantime, the enemy were very busy on shore preparing to give us the warmest of welcomes, and exulting over the opportunity they were about to have to sink our vessels as soon as we came within range. On board the Bienville every thing was made in readiness. Shot and shell were brought up from below, the magazines were opened, and the bulls' eyes lit; the gunners took their positions beside the cast-iron peacemakers, and waited to obey with alacrity the order, "Cock your lock, blow your match, stand by, ready-." | moved up, the rebel batteries on both sides of the river opened fire on the head of the column, with heavy guns of long range. At ten minutes past ten, the Wabash fired simultaneously on both Forts Walker and Beanregard, sending a broadside at each. Each volley fell in front of the batteries, and ploughed up the sand furiously. The whole fleet immediately joined in the engagement, and broadside after broadside was fired in quick succession. In five minutes the action became general along the whole line. The scene was one terribly grand and exciting. No words can describe it. So many ships and |