Daniel Ammen, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.2, The Atlantic Coast
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[45] Captain Elliott embarked a force of 300 men in scows from a creek one mile below Seabrook, and landed on the site of the earthwork. Signals from him indicated the position of the enemy, and as requested the vessels opened fire until signal was made to discontinue. A platform for one heavy gun was in place; the incomplete earthwork was designed for a number of guns. Captain Elliott destroyed the magazine and wood-work by fire, as well as some wood that had served as a concealment.

At 2.30 Commander Rodgers, from the Ottawa at Port Royal Ferry, signalled the Seneca and Ellen to join him; this was effected at once by the last-named vessel, but owing to intervening shoal ground the Seneca could not get over until the following morning, when at 10 A. M. she, in common with the other vessels having heavy pivot guns, shelled the enemy at long range, as requested by army signals.

General Stevens wrote to the flag-officer in relation to the co-operation of Commander Rodgers as follows: ‘Whether regard be had to the beautiful working of the gunboats in the narrow channel of Port Royal, the thorough concert of action established through the signal-officers, or the masterly handling of the guns against the enemy, nothing remained to be desired.’

The official report of the enemy gives a total of 8 killed and 24 wounded, the greater number attributed to shells from the gunboats. The result of the action was an abandonment of any future attempt on the part of the enemy to plant batteries near those waters, or to make preparations with the view of landing troops on Port Royal Island.