Doc.
189. occupation of Tybee Island, November 24, 1861.
flag-ship
Wabash, Port Royal harbor,
S. C., Nov. 25, 1861.
sir: I have the honor to inform the department that the flag of the
United States is flying over the territory of the
State of Georgia.
As soon as the serious injury to the boilers of the
Flag had been repaired, I despatched
Commander John Rodgers to Tybee entrance, the mouth of
Savannah River, to report to
Commander Missroon, the
senior officer, for a preliminary examination of the bars, and for the determination of the most suitable place for sinking the proposed obstructions to the navigation of the river.
Captain Rodgers was instructed to push his
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reconnaissance so far as to “form an approximate estimate of the force on
Tybee Island, and of the possibility of gaining access to the inner bar;” and further, “if the information acquired by this reconnoissance should be important, to return and communicate it to me immediately.”
I was not surprised when he came back and reported that the defences on
Tybee Island had probably been abandoned.
Deeming it proper, however, to add
the Seneca,
Lieutenant Commanding Ammen, and
Pocahontas,
Lieutenant Commanding Balch, to his force, I directed him to renew his approaches with caution, and, if no opposition was met with, to occupy the channel.
I am happy now to have it in my power to inform the department that the
Flag, the
Augusta, and the
Pocahontas are at anchor in the harbor abreast of Tybee beacon and light, and that the
Savannah has been ordered to take the same position.
The abandonment of
Tybee Island, on which there is a strong martello tower, with a battery at its base, is due to the terror inspired by the bombardment of
Forts Walker and
Beauregard, and is a direct fruit of the victory of the 7th.
By the fall of
Tybee Island, the reduction of
Fort Pulaski, which is within easy mortar distance, becomes only a question of time.
The rebels have themselves placed sufficient obstructions in the river at
Fort Pulaski, and thus, by the cooperation of their own fears with our efforts, the harbor of
Savannah is effectually closed.
I have the honor to be, sir, respectfully, your most obedient servant,
The following account of the occupation is given by an officer of the expedition:
U. S. Ship
Pocahontas, at the anchorage, Savannah harbor,
Tybee Island, Nov. 24, 1861.
The steamer
Flag,
Commander John Rodgers, was despatched by
Flag-officer Dupont to reconnoitre this.
point and ascertain the position and strength of the rebels.
He did so, and on his return to
Port Royal he had the
Seneca and this vessel added to his command, and this morning, with a view to feel the enemy, we threw a few shells into the fortifications, but getting no reply we soon found that the works were abandoned, and we have taken possession of them.
They consist of a strong martello tower, with an intrenchment at the foot of it, over both which the Stars and Stripes now float.
It is a most important acquisition, as the ship channel to
Savannah passes within five hundred yards.
Fort Pulaski is doomed, for it is ours whenever we think proper to take it, as it is within most convenient shell range-six hundred yards. No vessel will now leave or enter the port of
Savannah without our permission during the remainder of the war.
We now hold the harbor with the three steamers — the
Flag,
Commander Rodgers; the
Pocahontas,
Capt. Balch; and the
Seneca,
Capt. Ammen--but no doubt will have other vessels sent here and also a strong garrison, as soon as
Flag-officer Dupont and
Gen. Sherman are advised of the capture.
We hear, upon what we consider reliable authority, that
Commodore Tatnall says the rebels must abandon all their coast defences, for after the sample of firing at
Hilton Head by our fleet, nothing they have erected can stand before it.
The abandonment of their strong works on
Tybee Island may be considered as confirming this report.
The panic throughout the
Southern coast from our success at
Port Royal is intense and all-pervading.
Savannah is nearly depopulated, and the trains go loaded with household and every description of goods, including negroes.
Secession account.
I suppose you have heard of affairs down here before this.
The enemy appeared around Tybee point about eleven o'clock A. M. yesterday. The sentinel reported them, and the assembly was beat; we were ordered to the guns; there we awaited them.
The enemy, composed of a frigate and one gunboat, rounded the point and commenced throwing shot and shell on Tybee.
Not having received a reply, they despatched the gunboat for more vessels.
About four o'clock the gunboat came back with two more very large vessels; soon after a long train of small boats was seen to leave the vessels and head for the shore.
About six o'clock the
Federal flag was seen flying on
Tybee Island.
About seven o'clock at night
Captain Read, of the
Irish Volunteers, took a squad of his men and went over to the island, and got in sight of the
Yankees.
He could see them all around the fire; but finding that he could not effect his object, which was to burn the large hospital, there being too many men around the house, he returned and burnt all the houses on his way, including
Captain King's large house, also the platform where the boat lands.
They also brought off an old negro, the property of
Mr. King, which the picket had left.
He is now at the fort.
This morning the
Federal flag could be seen flying on the light-house.
There are three large vessels off the point now, and another gunboat has just arrived.
The island is naturally protected by large sand hills, which could have protected our men from the shells of the enemy.
I think a thousand men could whip them off the island in two hours. The enemy have a foothold on all the
Southern States bordering on the
Atlantic, but I think they have gained very little by taking
Tybee Island.
I do not think they can get enough rice and cotton on Tybee to pay the cost of the
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expedition, as they say they did at
Port Royal.
We have plenty of ammunition and men, and we defy them to come in range of our guns — we will show them the difference between taking
Port Royal and
Fort Pulaski.
Nothing from the enemy.
We can see them constantly communicating with the shore by small boats.
There are two propellers and one large side-wheel steamer, which lie off the point in full sight of the fort, and a smaller one that comes and goes constantly between them and a squadron of three vessels lying outside.
The
United States flag is flying from the light-house, and also from a flagstaff in the old parade-ground formerly used by our troops.
Commodore Tatnall, with a portion of the mosquito fleet, is lying about the fort, no doubt chafing under the restraint his limited means impose.
The enemy have established their pickets all around Tybee, as far up as
King's Landing.
The general impression below is that the
Yankees are concentrating their forces, and that as soon as they get a few more vessels over the bar they intend making an attack on
Fort Pulaski.
The movements of the enemy during the past few days indicate a purpose on their part to get control of this port.
