ing slowly over an admirable road for seven miles, we failed, during the march, of encountering the enemy, who had prudently recoiled from a meeting until it should take place beyond range of our gunboats, although the nature of the ground over which we passed afforded many excellent positions for defence. stances. Gen. Brannan therefore ordered a retreat, which was conducted in a most orderly manner, the regiments retiring in successive lines, carrying off their dead and wounded, and leaving no arms or ammunition on the field. Of the exact force of the rebels, of course, we know nothing, although Gen. Brannan was of the opinion that it equalled our own. Certainly their artillery exceeded ours by four or five pieces, and this we have from the seven prisoners taken, one of whom, Wm. Judd, belonged to company B, Second South-Carolina cavalry, whose horse was also captured. The prisoners informed us that General Beauregard commanded in person. The road alternated through dense woods, and through marshes, only passable over a narrow causeway, save at one or two points. Choosing a position at the opposite end of this causeway, the enemy opened a furious fire of shell and canister on our advancing column, which was promptly met by the battery under Lieut. Henry. Immediately the order was given by Gen. Brannan While these events were taking place between for his brigade to form line of battle, the centre the main forces on either side, Colonel Barton, of resting on the causeway. After a brisk fire of the Forty-eighth New-York, with three hundred both musketry and artillery the rebels retired to of his own men and fifty of the Third Rhode the dense woods in their rear, tearing up the Island regiment, under command of Capt. J. H. causeway-bridge, which delayed the advance of Gould, went up the Coosahatchie River, conour artillery until it could be repaired. Mean-voyed by the Patroon, to within two miles of the while, the First brigade pressed on to the woods, town of the same name. Landing this force here, which they penetrated, driving the enemy before a march was made to the village through which them, and closely followed by the Second brigade, under General Terry, who came up with a cheer, and were quickly in the engagement. Here the fight, it may be said, fairly commenced-the enemy's sharp-shooters picking off our men rapidly. The artillery fire from our side was not slackened while the bridge was being repaired, and it was not long before the batteries went forward to the work in support of the infantry. runs the railroad. Arrived there, they commenced tearing up the rails, but had scarcely engaged in the work when a long train of cars came from the direction of Savannah, filled with troops. This train was fired into by our party, killing the engineer and a number of others. Several soldiers jumped from the cars while they were in motion, and were wounded. One was taken prisoner-thirty muskets were captured, and colors of the Whippy Swamp Guards taken from the color-bearer, who was killed by our fire. The work of tearing up the rails was not accomplished in time to prevent the onward progress of the train, and our men afterward completed the job-also cutting the telegraph, and bringing away a portion of the wire with them. Colonel Barton next attempted to reach the railroad bridge, for the purpose of firing it, but was unable, as it was protected by a battery of three guns. Fearing that his retreat might be cut off by the enemy's cavalry, he gave the order to retire to the steamboat, which was done successfully. His men had nearly all embarked when the cavalry boldly came directly under the guns of the Planter and Patroon, and fired upon both steamers. A few rounds of canister dispersed them, and the only damage which they inflicted was the serious wounding of Lieut. J. M. Blanding, of the Third Rhode Island artillery. This action began between twelve and one, and lasted about an hour, ending in the retreat of the rebels to another position at Frampton's plantation, which lies two miles beyond. The enemy were closely followed, and after a fight more hotly contested than the first, our troops were again victorious, the second time driving the rebels from their well-chosen position, and two miles beyond, which brought them up to Pocotaligo bridge, (not the railroad bridge,) over which they crossed, taking shelter behind earth-works on the farthest side. To this point our troops nearly approached, but found farther progress impossible, as the bridge had been cut by the enemy on his retreat. This fact we construe into a clear acknowledgment of his defeat. Although these events are thus briefly noted, it required upward of five hours of impetuous and gallant fighting to accomplish them. At no one time was the entire field of combat in view from a given point, and I therefore find it impossible to speak in detail of the operations of my own regiment. Both brigades participated in the action, and both Generals Brannan and Terry were constantly under fire, leading and directing the movements of their men, awakening enthusiasm by their personal bravery and the skilful manner in which they manoeuvred their commands. Frequently, while the fight was progressing, we heard the whistles of the railroad trains, notifying us of reenforcements for the rebels, both from Charleston and Savannah; and even if we had had facilities for crossing the river, it would have been unwise to have made the attempt in view of these circum-rear. Nearly all Wednesday night was passed in bringing the wounded from the battle-field and placing them upon the transports. This humane work was personally superintended by General Terry and Brigade Quartermaster Coryell, of Gen. Brannan's staff. As fast as the boats were filled they returned to Hilton Head, and by Thursday night the whole force had reembarked. Before our last regiment left Mackay's Point the enemy's pickets had reappeared, but not in sufficient force to molest us. Scarcely five minutes after the first engagement began, wounded men were brought to the Surgeon Bailey, the Medical Director at Beaufort, who accompanied the expedition, established a hospital almost under fire, by the roadside, beneath the shade of the stately pine woods, with Surgeons Merritt, of the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania, and McClellan, of the Sixth Connecticut, and these gentlemen soon had their energies taxed to the uttermost. It was a spectacle to make one shudder as the poor fellows, wounded and dying, were emptied from the ambulances upon the green sward. A striking instance of heroism came under my observation. During the thickest of the fight, Artificer Zincks, of Henry's battery, seized a shell which had fallen into our ammunition-box and threw it into a ditch, where it exploded, seriously wounding him. Had it not been for his bravery and presence of mind, the most serious consequences might have ensued. Lieut. Henry's horse was shot under him, and the shell that killed the animal also killed one man and wounded five others. It is a singular fact that Lieut. Gettings, of the Third United States artillery, whose section also did good service in the fight, also lost one man killed and five wounded by the explosion of a single shell. Lieut. Gettings himself was wounded in the ankle. Three howitzers from the Wabash, under command of Lieut. Phoenix and Ensigns Wallace and Larned, accompanied the land forces, and won a great deal of praise for gallantry and effective firing. Young Wallace was sent by Gen. Terry to cover the retreat from Pocotaligo bridge, which he handsomely accomplished. He had delivered two rounds of grape into the enemy's ranks, when a shower of rifle-balls were sent against him, wounding three of his men and perforating his own clothes. The heroic young fellow was then ordered to retire, which he reluctantly did, after vainly asking permission to fire another round. The rebels left fifteen or twenty of their dead on the field, and the inference is that their loss must have been severe, or they would have had time to remove all in their successive retreats. Two caissons filled with ammunition were captured from the enemy during the second battle. Our own supply of ammunition at this time having been well-nigh exhausted, this proved very opportune. Although the main object of the expedition failed of success, yet the benefits conferred were not of trifling value. We have made a thorough reconnoissance of the heretofore unknown Broad River and its tributaries, and ascertained the character of the country, which is knowledge of immense importance, in view of future movements in that direction. We have also demonstrated the necessity of heavy reënforcements if the Government desire Gen. Mitchel to strike heavily in his department. REBEL REPORTS AND NARRATIVES. GENERAL BEAUREGARD'S DESPATCH. CHARLESTON, S. C., Oct. 23. The abolitionists attacked in force Pocotaligo In the fight at Pocotaligo, it appears that the enemy's force consisted of detachments of eight regiments from Pennsylvania, New-Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Each detachment numbered four hundred men, so that the attacking force of infantry consisted of about three thousand two hundred men, beside which there was a full battery of field-pieces and two boathowitzers. These troops were commanded by Brig.-Gen. Terry. Having effected their landing at an early hour and driven in our pickets, the Yankees advanced rapidly toward the railroad. The Charleston Mercury says: They first encountered our forces about eleven o'clock A.M., and the fighting was kept up with more or less spirit from that time until five o'clock P.M., when the enemy began to waver, and finally fell back in disorder, leaving his dead upon the field. The action is described by an eye-witness to have been a second Secessionville affair, in the disparity of the forces engaged, in the stubborn character of the contest, and in the completeness of the repulse. Capt. Elliott's battery and the Virginia battery are said to have covered themselves with glory. A later report, though not official, places the number of our casualties at twenty killed and sixty wounded. The heaviest loss was suffered by the Virginia artillery, Captain J. N. Lamkin, a gallant corps, which has served on our coast ever since the fall of Port Royal. They had four killed and sixteen wounded, most of the latter slightly. The following are the names of the killed: C. Peters, J. F. Flucher, W. A. Thacker, T. J. Allen. Lieut. Massle was wounded in the head and arm slightly. The battery went into action with thirty-five men. A large number of its horses were killed. The Old Dominion boys also lost a caisson, owing to the horses having taken fright, but captured one from the enemy, which made things even. The enemy burned the caisson which they took. The Charleston Courier adds the following to this account: The Forty-sixth Georgia and a detachment of cavalry, under the command of Colonel Colquitt, were ordered down Thursday morning to follow up the enemy, a courier having arrived, stating that the enemy was in force at Mackay's Point. The Georgians on the road gathered up quite a large stock of overcoats and other articles found along the road. Two new-made graves were also discovered. The enemy's dead lie scattered along the route down to the point of landing. During I have further the honor to report the capture the whole engagement they were carrying their at Bull's Bay, on the twenty-seventh, of the Britwounded and dying to the rear. One man who ish steamer Anglia, by the boats of the United saw them on their retreat states that he met a States steamer Flag. continued stream of ambulances going and coming from their boats. On their advance they had killed some sheep, but in the hasty retreat were obliged to leave their plunder. Our troops buried forty of the enemy's dead. The force that first met the enemy consisted of the Rutledge mounted riflemen, Capt. Trenholm; Charleston light dragoons, Capt. Rutledge; Beaufort volunteer artillery, Capt. William Elliott, and an infantry company, who stubbornly and successfully contested the enemy's advance until the arrival of reënforcements. The others afterward engaged were Nelson's Virginia battery, Morgan's squadron of cavalry, Major Abney's First battalion of sharp-shooters, consisting of Capt. Chisholm's company, Capt. Allston's company, and Captain Buist's company. Doc. 14. THE "SCOTIA" AND THE "ANGLIA." REAR-ADMIRAL DU PONT'S REPORT. FLAG-SHIP WABASH, PORT ROYAL HARBOR, S. C., October 29, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report to the department the capture, on the twenty-fourth instant, of the British steamer Scotia, by the United States bark Restless, acting volunteer Lieut. E. Conroy commanding, off Bull's Bay. The steamer was discovered at daylight standing toward Bull's Island. Acting volunteer Lieutenant Conroy immediately got under weigh with his vessel, and at the same time sent two armed boats to the leeward of the steamer, which forced her to run ashore. He then ran in with the Restless to cut her off and keep her from running out should she get off before the boats could reach her. When the boats got alongside it was discovered that the captain, an old offender, named Libby, with a gentleman and a lady, (passengers,) had left the steamer in an open boat; the crew were in a state of intoxication, so that they became almost unmanageable, and Lieut. Conroy ordered them to be transferred on board the Restless, and put in irons. Lieut. Conroy did not succeed in getting her off until the morning of the twenty-sixth, during which time he was compelled to anchor with the Restless within gunshot of the prize, to protect her, and at low-tide his own vessel touched bottom several times, but without sustaining any any material injury. He reports the loss, by drowning, of John Martin, (seaman,) of the Restless, and a fireman of the Scotia, in consequence of the swamping of a boat in trying to get out a hawser. In getting off the Scotia, and afterward in bringing her to Port Royal, the engineers of that vessel rendered every assistance in their power, for which Lieut. Conroy promised that they should receive compensation. The Restless, then under the command of Acting Master Griswold, (Lieut. Conroy being temporarily under command of the Scotia,) had discovered the steamer entering Bull's Bay the evening before, but she having passed so far to the windward of her, the Restless could not prevent her getting in, and having only one small boat belonging to the ship, Acting Master Griswold did not think it prudent send her in pursuit, but he got the Restless in a position to command the channel, for the purpose of preventing the escape of the steamer. On the next day the Flag, Lieutenant Conroy on board, on his way to join his vessel, arrived at the anchorage of the Restless, and on receiving the above information, Commodore Strong, under the pilotage of Lieut. Conroy, ran the Flag close to the bar, which his vessel could not cross, and despatched four armed gunboats, under Lieuts. Carpenter and Conroy, inside of Bull's Island. The steamer was discovered on shore near Jack Creek, about four miles from the entrance of Bull's Bay, but was soon safely got off-all of her officers and crew being on board, except the pilot and six men, who had gone to Charleston the evening previous. The crew rendered every assistance in getting her off. Lieut. Conroy then piloted the Anglia out of Bull's Bay and over the bar. The Anglia, when captured, was almost out of coal, and was sent by Capt. Godon, senior officer off Charleston harbor, to be supplied. She is the same vessel which attempted on the night of the nineteenth of September last, to enter Charleston harbor by Sanford's channel, but was headed off, though she succeeded in escaping in the darkness. I shall despatch both these steamers North as soon as possible. Before closing this despatch, I cannot forbear calling the attention of the department to the energy and activity displayed by Acting Lieut. Conroy, of the Restless. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LIEUTENANT COMMANDING CONROY'S REPORT. ON BOARD BARK RESTLESS, OFF BULL'S BAY, NEAR CHARLESTON, October 29, 1862. On Friday morning last, at daylight, a steamer was discovered trying to get in this- Bull's Bay channel. I got the ship under way, and sent two armed boats, and with the bark cut her off. The captain of the steamer, finding himself intercepted, preferred running his vessel on shore to being sunk by my guns. We captured her at seven o'clock in the morning. She proved to be the famous steamship Scotia, which has run the blockade many times. We had very hard work getting her off. We were obliged to throw over board almost all her coals and every thing heavy, even her machinery, that could be spared. On Sunday morning she was sufficiently lightened to be taken off the coast. She was immediately sent, with an officer and a prize crew, to Port Royal. Ön my return on Sunday to my ship on board the steamer Flag, (the Restless had been lying off the Bay, where the Scotia was captured,) I found that another steamer had run in on the day we had left, and that she also was in a trap. I manned two boats from my own vessel (the Restless) and two from the Flag, and in command of the first division of the boats we went in and "cut her out" also. At half-past six P.M. we captured her. Steam was up and she was ready to start for Charleston as soon as the night came We brought her out and anchored her under the guns of the Restless and the. Flag. She proved to be the English steamer Anglia, with a very valuable cargo. This, with the cargo of the Scotia, will be worth half a million of dollars. Both steamers are very fine vessels. on. The cargoes consists of Sharpe's rifles, powder, teas, coffees, brandy, boots and shoes, linen goods, and drugs. I am much elated at my success in depriving the rebels of supplies which were so important to them, and this thought gives me much greater satisfaction than any pecuniary interest I may have in the captured vessels. EDWARD CONROY, Lieutenant Commanding United States Sailing Bark Restless. Doc. 15., field, staff and line-officers were in their respective proper positions; Colonel C. C. Dodge, Lieut.Colonel B. F. Onderdonk, Majors Wheelan and Schiefflin, Surgeon Bennett, Assistant Surgeon Wright, Adjutant M. A. Downing; Captains Terwilliger, Poor, Gregory, Sanger, Masston, Ellis, and Dean; Lieutenants Harman, Penny, Freeborn, Adams, Disosway, Varick, Simmonds, Wheelan, Warren, Ball, Wright, Ergelke and Cronin. Upon passing their camp the Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry, under Colonel Spear, fell into column, having two howitzers along. Our own howitzer battery, under Lieutenant Thomas Fairgraves, formerly Adjutant of the First Fire Zouaves, also was in position in our own regiment. As we moved on we discovered infantry regiments in motion, and soon learned that the cavalry force under command of Colonel Dodge was to be supported by a full infantry brigade, under command of Brigadier-General Ferry, commanding the reconnoissance, and two regiments of Acting Brigadier-General Foster's brigade; also, a Captain Howard's battery of United States artillery, acting Brigadier-General Foster, second in command of the expedition.. The column now moved steadily on, the NewYork Mounted Rifles leading, taking the most direct road for Windsor, on the Norfolk and Petersburgh Railroad, which place we passed at or about ten or eleven o'clock at night, securing guides as we passed on. Col. Dodge moved rapidly forward until within four miles and a half of Blackwater bridge, or rather where Blackwater bridge stood when the rebels fled from Norfolk before our victorious forces. When at this distance from the point where we were assured of meeting resistance to our crossing, Colonel Dodge halted to wait for the SKIRMISH AT BLACKWATER RIVER, VA. infantry, and to give his men and horses time to THE regiment returned at a quarter after four P.M. from the reconnoissance upon which it started at four P.M. on the twenty-fourth instant. The following will be a concise and veritable report of all that has been important in the movements of the regiment during its absence, particularly the occurrences which passed under the direct observation of the writer of this journal. At five P.M. on Friday afternoon, eight squadrons responded to the call to "boots and saddles," the other squadrons being unavoidably absent on guard and picket-duty. The rumor having been spread that a fight was surely expected, men and officers who were really ill were seen to rise and hastily prepare to move, determined to share in the perils and honors which they fondly hoped were before them. Such was particularly the case with Major Wheelan, who had been severely indisposed for several days, but who now, against medical advice, was seen upon his horse, willing and ready for any duty which his physical strength would enable him to perform. Upon moving out from camp, the following feed and rest preparatory for action. The night had been dark, and a film of clouds drawn over the faces of the stars betokened an approaching storm. The column waited impatiently for daylight and the order to advance, the Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry being immediately in our rear. As soon as it was light enough to discover objects ahead distinctly, Lieutenant-Colonel Onderdonk was sent forward at a gallop with a strong detachment under Captain Sanger and Lieut. Wheelan to feel the enemy, and discover, if possible, his position and strength; also one company of the Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry accompanied them. A rapid ride of twenty min utes brought our extreme advance in sight of the enemy's pickets, who fired and instantly retired beyond the river. Lieutenant-Colonel Onderdonk, now in a cool and soldierly manner, proceeded to take measures to learn the enemy's position and forces as nearly as possible, a most difficult matter, as the opposite bank of the Blackwater River, where the enemy held position, was densely wooded. He sent a messenger back to report that we had found the enemy, deployed flankers and placed advance. guards, and ordered a private from squadron A, to advance and reconnoitre the position of the enemy. It was done, and the enemy found to be intrenched in a force of from twenty-five to thirty in a rifle-pit, behind the abutments of the burned bridge on the opposite shore. Others were seen lurking in the dense forest in the rear of the breastworks. Having drawn the fire of the riflemen in their intrenchments, the pilot of troop A returned and reported the position of the enemy to Colonel Onderdonk, who immediately ordered an advance of sharp-shooters, which was made by Captain Sanger and Lieutenant Wheelan with great gallantry. Under the personal supervision of Lieut.-Colonel Onderdonk, our forces advanced under such cover as they could get, poor at that; for on our side an open field, with a tree here and there, and two or three dilapidated houses, gave little chance for cover. When within twenty yards of the enemy our troops opened fire with their Sharpe's rifles, the enemy pouring upon us a galling fire from their intrenchments and opposite woods. For ten or fifteen minutes a most rapid fire was kept up on both sides, several of the enemy being seen to fall, having incautiously exposed too much of their carcasses to the aim of our practised rifle men. possible they were brought into play, while an advance of skirmishers of the Thirty-ninth Illinois regiment was gallantly made to the bank of the river. The enemy could not stand the rain of shot and shell which now fell among them, and fled, bearing back their dead and wounded to light carts in the rear, and mounting their fresh horses. The river was reported by our guides not to be fordable, the banks were precipitous and steep, and but one spot where a crossing was possible could | be seen, and that directly in front of these deserted intrenchments. Col. Dodge rode up to the head of squadron C, now in advance, and asked for volunteers to cross the river and test the possibility of its passage. In an instant every officer and man moved forward in response. Col. Dodge selected the first three in front, who were Sergeant James M. Eaton, Corporal J. H. Cintler, and private Vanduser, and ordered them to cross. Nobly and gallantly they spurred their horses in the dark and treacherouslooking water, and among logs and old tree-tops, swimming in some places, they plunged through and gained the opposite bank while the shells from Captain Howard's battery were crashing through the trees, tearing away limbs and trunks but a few feet from them. In about twenty minutes from the commencement of the action Lieut. Wheelan, who was in the extreme advance of his men, encouraging them by his words and deeds, received his death- Finding it possible to cross, Col. Dodge requestwounds from the enemy, who had evidently mark-ed Capt. Howard to cease firing, and Lieut. Hared him by his uniform, as they had Lieutenant- man, Acting Quartermaster, bravely led a volunColonel Onderdonk, who narrowly escaped death teer platoon of company C across, and dashing from a volley fired a few moments previous di❘ rectly at him. Though struck in four places at the same instant, the brave Lieutenant pushed in front, but Capt. Sanger and Sergeant-Major Fairgraves, aided by two privates of company F, whose names I have not yet learned, gallantly rushed in under fire and bore the brave officer to the rear, being covered as much as possible by the fire of our riflemen, who gave the enemy no rest. forward formed an advanced-guard to keep in check any force that might attempt to prevent the crossing of our howitzers and ammunition. He was followed as rapidly as possible by the entire regiment, Col. Dodge and Lieut.-Col. Onderdonk, with Majors Wheelan and Schiefflin crossing also in front. In a very short space of time the force had crossed, and as soon as possible was formed and in pursuit of the enemy. The latter had the advantage of fresh horses and a thorough knowledge of the country, and made such good use of both, that though repeatedly in sight, it was impossible to come up with them. After the Lieutenant had been moved out of range, Lieut.-Col. Onderdonk ordered the men who had held the advance to fall back a couple of hundred yards to await the reënforcements for which Lieut. Harman, with his usual gallantry, purhe had sent, the advance having nearly exhaust- sued this force with only a platoon for over five ed the ammunition in their cartridge-boxes. He miles beyond the river on one road. A portion, threw out flankers and guards at every point evidently a large body by their tracks, having which the enemy could assail; he sent Sergeant taken a road to the right of that taken by Lieut. Kavanagh, with four picked men, to a point where Harman, Col. Dodge led the pursuing column in he could enfilade the river, which the enemy were that direction. Within two miles of the river he preparing to cross in boats which they had drawn came to an unfordable creek, with swampy ground up at the base of their breastwork. Sergeant on both banks, crossed by a bridge which the flyKavanagh gallantly opened fire on the enemy, ing enemy had just rendered impassable by castthus attracting their attention to his point, while ing the planks into the water, carrying forward a our advance-guard on the right occasionally sent part of them to prevent our repairing it. This in a shot, to show them that we were still on the caused a delay which undoubtedly prevented our ground. capturing a portion of them, for their carts had evidently just crossed there. By tearing down the railings of the bridge the footing was made sufficiently strong to enable the force to cross, but the enemy had gained their point, and were now temporarily beyond our reach. Colonel Dodge now came on the ground at full speed, closely followed by Capt. Howard and his battery. A section of the battery was inmediately placed in position on the left, under command of Lieut. Bucher, and another on our right, under command of Lieut. Hasbrouk. As soon as Learning from a negro that at Joiner's Ford, |