U. S. STEAMER SEMINOLE,
WARSAW SOUND, GA.,
March 25.
ATTACK AND LANDING.
To-day at 12 M., signal was made by the senior captain, John
P. Gillis, commanding the Warsaw squadron, for the vessels in the harbor,
consisting of the Wyandotte, Norwich and Seminole to get under way. The Norwich drawing the least water, Captain
Gillis boarded her and led the way in the line of battle, and stood up Wilmington
river to attack the batteries at Skidaway Island, which have been building for
some time. All hands in the squadron
were delighted at the prospect, particularly after having arrived again at
Warsaw from our bloodless victory at Cumberland Sound, and the hope of a little
work before us animated both officers and crew of these noble ships.
When we arrived within a mile of the batteries, the Norwich
fired a shell from her Parrott gun into a body of cavalry that were seen near
them. The horsemen curvetted about in
utter confusion and fled. Proceeding up
a quarter of a mile further, the Norwich sent the rebels a couple more shells
into their encampment, that was a little back in the woods, which routed them
all out. As they did not seem inclined
to return our fire we drew up quietly in front of the battery and let them have
a broadside, which cleared them all out, and keeping up a raking fire upon them
on their retreat, our boats were manned and formal possession taken of the
fort, the flag being planted on the highest rampart by Capt. Gillis in person.
THE STARS AND STIPES
HOISTED OVER THE REBEL HEADQUARTERS.
Acting master Steel, with a picket of eight or ten men, then
went to the rebel headquarters, tore down the dirty Secession dishcloth flying
there, and nailed the glorious old gridiron – the Stars and Stripes – to the
staff in its place, never to be removed, amid salvoes of musketry. The rebels left everything behind them in
their haste to get away, even to their dinners, which were still cooking over a
hot fire.
Captain Gillis then ordered all the works of the enemy to be
destroyed, as we had not troops with us to hold them, and accordingly they were
fired. The sight was beautiful – the flames
bursting forth in every part, utterly
destroying everything. All the flatboats,
scows and other means of transport, belonging to the enemy, were also
destroyed; but the private property and buildings were humanely spared by order
of Captain Gillis, although after we left, the rebels, fearing our occupation,
themselves destroyed them. – During the destruction of the works the enemy
fired on us from behind the trees in a wood three quarters of a mile distant,
but killed no one. One of our men was
slightly wounded by a minie ball passing between his legs and grazing the flesh
on the inner side of his thigh. During
the fire of the enemy our men displayed great coolness and bravery. Captain Duncan should be especially mentioned
for his coolness, courage and energy in the destruction of the works amid the
fire of the enemy.
DESCRIPTION OF THE
BATTERIES.
The works on Skidaway island extend for about half a mile
along the Wilmington river, and are built well and very powerfully. Had the enemy remained and fought, our quadroon
would have had much trouble; but hour gunboats seem to strike terror into them
at every approach, and their only resource is ignominious flight. The success of the achievement was great,
more on account of its dash and daring, and shows what our noble sailors will
do when led by a brave commander. The
channel of Wilmington river, as well as Skidaway island, is now thrown into our
hands. Our glorious cause is still
blessed under our arms victorious.
SAVANNAH IN A “BAD
WAY.”
After the complete destruction of all their works, that had
taken three months for the rebels to put up, the squadron returned to its
former anchorage. Yesterday we took a
prisoner, who for some time was sullen and would not answer questions, but he
finally came around and told us “Savannah was in a bad way, and was short of
provisions.” By a Savannah paper that he
gave us, we learned that they were trying to raise money to build a ram, for
the destruction of Capt. Gillis’
squadron at Warsaw. This prisoner was
taken in a small boat, trying to run the blockade to Fort Pulaski – it is
supposed with a mail, but the letters were thrown overboard when he was
taken. From this quarter there is no
further military news.
– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington,
Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 2
