The. N. Y. Evening Post quotes the following from 
the recent work of I)r. Robert Phillimorb, “Advo¬ 
cate of Her Majesty in her office of Admiralty:" 
Pact* 368, See- 27 —(Contraband )—“ Ilia indeed competent 
to a belligerent to etop the embassador of hia enemy on bis 
passage.” 
Page 369, Sec. 272 — 11 A* to carrying of military persons in 
the employ of a belligerent, or being in any way engaged in 
his transport service, it has been most solemnly decided by 
the tribunals of international law, hoth in England and the 
United States of North America^ that these are acts of hostil¬ 
ity on the pArt of the neutral, which subject tho vehicle in 
which the persons are conveyed to conllscation at the hands 
of tho belligerent" 
Page 370, Sec. 273.—“ 
in tow, and all took care thereafter to keep well out 
of reach. The act waa one of mere bravado, as the 
rebels Bhowed no disposition to come within reach 
of our guns, 
RESULTS OP THE RECONNOISSANCE. 
During Monday, a partial reconnoissance was made 
by Capt. C. U. P. Rodgers and Lieut Luce of the 
Wabash; and on the morning of Tuesday, the 5tb, 
a more thorough reconuoissance of liilton Head and 
Philips'Island, the southern and northern boundaries 
of Port Royal entrance, waa made by (Jen. Sherman, 
accompanied by alf the Brigadier-Generals, except¬ 
ing Vide, and Capt Gillmore, Chief Engineer of the 
expedition. The tugboat Mercury, armed with a 30- 
ponrider Parrott gun, conveyed the party, who left 
the flag-ehip Wabash at 6 o’clock in the morning. 
The Ottawa, Bencca, Pawnee, Unadilla, Curlew and 
Penguin, at the same time advanced and opened lire 
upon three rebel gun-boats which appeared between 
Hilton Head and Bay Point, the southern terminus of 
Philips’ Island. The rebel gunboats were accompa¬ 
nied by two apparently unarmed steamers of large 
size, that had been employed during the night In 
transporting troops to the scene of action from 
Savannah and Charleston, by the inland ronte lying 
between the mainland and the labyrinth of largo and 
small islands which line the coast. As our gunboats 
advanced, those of the rebels retired up Beaufort 
river until the shore batteries on Hilton Head and 
Bay Point opened on our advancing line, showing 
their strength and position. After a sufficiently 
critical examination, lasting about an hour, our gun¬ 
boats retired beyond the range of the batteries, to 
await a plan of attack based upon the information 
obtained by the reconnohsance. 
It was soon decided that the navy should engago 
the Hilton Hoad works that afternoon, at short range, 
and alienee them, and then cover the disembarkation 
of our troops by a cross-fire in front of them; the bat 
teries on the opposite side to be proceeded against 
in a similar manner, as soon as Hilton Head was suc¬ 
cessfully occupied. Early in the afternoon the ves¬ 
sels proceeded to form into the line of battle accord¬ 
ingly, but in moving about the channel the Wabash 
got aground on Pishing Rip Shoal, and the day 
having far advanced, it was reluctantly decided to 
postpouc the bombardment until after the riBe of the 
tide should have released tho flag ship on the follow¬ 
ing morning. 
That, night every preparation was made by tho 
troops for the action which seemed so near before 
them. Wills were drawn, the last letters of affection 
written, and every man laid down to rest uncertain 
wbotber it might not be for the last time. The Ocean 
Express, currying most of tho heavy ordnance and 
the ordnance stores for the army, was still at sea, the 
Baltic, having on board tho regiment second in the 
line to land, was away in search of her, and in no 
hopeful spirit our Generals thought of the difficulties 
before them, with au enemy well armod and appa¬ 
rently carefully prepared at every paint to oppose tho 
landing of their troops a work sufficiently difficult, 
under the best circumstances. Bnt by Wednesday 
morning the sea had grown rough, and tho wind 
came np too fresh to give onr sailors that complete 
control of their vessels which they asked. Commo¬ 
dore Dnpont had measured the work before him, and 
was not disposed to move hastily, though the im¬ 
patient army were little inclined to brook delay, and 
with Ill-suppressed Impatience watched the bustle of 
preparation on the shore, and observing with impa¬ 
tience tho movements of the little rebel fleet, un¬ 
der command of Commodore Tatnall, which per¬ 
sisted in keeping just beyond our reach. 
THE BATTLE. 
The weather grew more promising toward the 
close of Wednesday, and that afternoon the trans¬ 
ports weighed anchor and stood further up the 
channel until within less than four miles ot the rebel 
batteries and perhaps a mile below the war vessels 
lying between them and the shore. That evening 
another conference was held on board tho Wabash 
and between tho Commodore and Brigadier-Gene- 
rals, at which it was decided that, the weather 
favoring, the attack should be made on the follow¬ 
ing morning as soon as tho tide begun to flow. The 
sun went down gloriously that afternoon and rose 
again upon a day as bright and beautiful aa the 
most anxious could have asked. Not a cloud was 
in the sky, and the sea lay as calm and qniet as 
though no storm had ever disturbed its surface, and 
it had forgotten tho wild freak in which it played 
such mischief with our fleet. 
Early on that day, the morning of Thursday, Nov. 
7, 1861, our vessels prepared for action, and after 
steaming about for some time in obedience to the 
signals of the Commodore, were arranged in the 
order of battle, forming two close columns as 
follows : 
Flanking Line. 
Bienville, 
Penguin, 
Augusta, 
Curlew, 
Seneca, 
R. B. Forbes, 
Pocahontas, 
Mercury. 
our guns conld be seen bursting with terrible effect 
in and around the rebel batteries, especially that on 
Hilton Head. 
Now one shot would strike the sand of the flat 
shore, sending a yellow cloud of dust shooting into 
the air; then another would strike far inland, dis¬ 
appearing in the woods which ran across the island; 
and every moment or two one could be seen to fall 
plump into the fort, perhaps dismounting a gun and 
sending human forms flying in horrible fragments 
about tho sand and sod. Occasionally, one falling 
short, would strike the water, sending a sharp jet 
spouting into the air. Meanwhile the rebels kept up 
a brisk discharge of shell and hot shot against the 
fleet, sending their missiles in every direction about 
the vessels, now and again one striking plump against 
the mark at which it was directed, bnt more whist¬ 
ling through the rigging and falling far beyond, or 
striking out of line and sending the water hissing 
into the air aa they plunged to the bottom. There 
waa no flinching among onr brave sailors; every man 
stood bravely and coolly to his work, in spite of the 
deadly shower flying about them. 
TOE FORTS SILENCED. 
For four honrB tho fight continued, and faster and 
Burer fell onr shell among tho enemy, dismounting 
their guns, destroying their works and striking terror 
into their ranks. Three times the fleet swept by tho 
fort and still the rebels stood to their guns, hoping 
each moment to burn, Bink or disable our vessels; 
but, with the exception of the Penguin, which 
received a shot in her steam-chest, not one had yet 
been put beyond control, and even the Penguin was 
able to continue in the action, under tow of another 
vessel. At length, flesh and blood conld stand uo 
more, and when, for the fourth time that terrible line 
oP batteries came sweeping down past Hilton Head, 
every vessel still in action, evpry gun yet at work, 
sending its deadly summons to surrender at the fort— 
the fire ceased, and soon the recession fag disappeared 
from the staff where it had waved; and when, a few 
minutes later, Capt. John RodgcrB went ashore with 
a flag of truce, but a single man was found at tho 
fort, the remainder of the garrison having fled with 
tho utmost precipitation. 
THE STARS ANI> STRIFES HOISTED OVER THE FORTS. 
The Stars and Stripes were at once hoisted on a 
high buildiug which had been a prominent object 
during the engagement, and the place was taken 
possession of in tho name of the United States. In 
spite of the cheers with which the brave tars greeted 
the symbol of victory, it was a little time before those 
upon the transports could persuade themselves that 
it was really the time “red, white and blue” which 
they saw planted on tho shores of South Carolina, 
within twenty-five miles of the spot where it first 
gave place to the symbol of treason and rebellion. 
The firing ceased at two, and at three o’clock the 
American flag was hoisted on tho shore, and Fort 
Walker was in onr possession. We expected another 
light at Fort Beauregard, to which we had not yet 
directed attention, bnt the surrender of their neigh¬ 
bor seemed to have satisfied tho defenders of the 
opposite point that they, too, were vulnerable, for 
their firing soon closed and their flag came down to 
give place a little later to the one which had a right, 
ful positiou there. 
AFTER THE BATTLE. 
The scene at Fort Walker, which met those who 
first landed, bore terrible witness to the deadly effect 
of onr fire. Six of tho beat guns on the water side of 
tho fort wore either dismounted or otherwise put hors 
du combat; some of the dismounted guns having their 
carriages completely shattered, as though a shell bad 
burst in their midst. Many of them were oovered 
with tho remains of tho poor fellows who had worked 
them, and the yet warm blood besmeared the plat¬ 
forms of tho guns and lay In thick pools and dark 
stains upon the sand and the green sward of the 
parapet, and tho dust of the more sheltered ditch. 
Clots of human hair and bits of torn flesh were lying 
here and there, and abundant tokens were found on 
every hand that this time war had done well and 
thoroughly its bloody work. Captain Steedman, of 
the Bienville, took charge of tho dead, and saw them 
burled tenderly upon tho spot where they had fought 
bravely, but unwisely.- Many of them were Hermann, 
who seemed to havo done most of the work at the 
gunB; the fort being occupied by a company of five 
hundred German artillery. • 
INDICATION OF THE ENEMY’S PRECIPITATE RETREAT. 
As soon as possible a force of seventy marines and 
fifty sailors were landed on Hilton Head, sentinels 
thrown out, and every precaution taken against sur¬ 
prise. But it waa needless. The enemy were only 
too glad to avoid encounter, and everything indicated 
the haste with which they had fled from before the 
terrific fire of our batteries. Tents, arms and per¬ 
sonal property of every description was abandoned, 
and even those articles least likely to be left were 
forgotten in the uncontrollable panic which seems to 
have overcome tho chivalry. Gold watches and jew¬ 
elry of every description were found lying where 
their owners last laid them, and even money was left 
untouched, one package of $1,800 in gold and Con¬ 
federate bills being found together, a lot of $500 in 
another place, and various smaller sunm to a consid¬ 
erable amount. Knapsacks, gnns, pistols, swords 
and other weapons, army stores of all kinds, and a 
variety of private goods and chattels forbidding 
enumeration were among the articles which fell into 
our possession, and were many of them carried off 
by the marines and soldiers as tho legitimate spoils 
of war. 
LANDING OF TnE TROOPS. 
As soon as the post was fairly in our possession, 
information was brought to Gen. Wright, and in 
accordance with the arrangements of tho army, his 
brigade at once commenced to land, still uncertain 
whether the enemy might not yet remain in force 
further back upon the island. The Seventh Connec¬ 
ticut regiment wuh the first to land, immediately fol¬ 
lowed by the Fourth New Hampshire, and during all 
that night the men wore hurried to the shore until 
the island was secured by a force sufficient to repel 
any attack. Pickets were thrown out, the fort occu¬ 
pied in strength, and preparations made for any 
emergency, though the darkness of the night forbade 
pursuit of the enemy. 
RECONNOISSANCE OK HILTON HEAD ISLAND. 
The next morning Bay Point waa occupied by a 
force of marines and a portion of General Sherman’s 
command, the Seventy-ninth N. Y. regiment landing 
first. At as early an hour as possible, a reconnois- 
sauce of liilton Head Island was made iu force by 
Captain Q. A. Gillmore of tho Engineers, escorted by 
the Seventh Connecticut regiment, Colonel Terry, 
nine hundred strong. The object was to penetrate to 
the western shore of the island and establish on 
Skull Creek (which should bo termed a river from its 
depth,) batteries to close the iuland navigation be¬ 
tween Savannah aud Charleston, by the various 
creeks and bayous with which the coast is there 
indented. Aa this reconnoissance was tho first 
advance into the island, it was made with great cau¬ 
tion, tho main body of the escort being preceded by 
a thick line of skirmishers. Capt Gillmore advanced 
as far as Seabrook, the nearest point on Skull Creek, 
six miles from Fort Walker; finding all along the 
way further evidence that the enemy had retreated in 
a panic moro terrible than that of Bull Run, but dif¬ 
fering from that principally in the fact that the 
running was tills time all on one side. On the road 
to Heabrook, knapsacks, blankets, canteens, knives, 
guns, pistols, and soldiers’ equipments of all kinds 
were found, tin the wharf, at Seabrook, were fonnd 
rifled muskets, bayonets, and a large quantity of 
knapsacks, Ac., besides a valuable assortment of 
commissary supplies, such as bacon, rice, flour, hard 
bread, corn, vinegar, Ac., amounting to about fifteen 
large wagon loads. 
UEUBL LOSSES AND OUR OWN. 
The nnmber of rebels killed in the engagement it 
was impossible to ascertain with any precision, 
though it is supposed to have amounted to one or two 
hundred, with an equal number wounded. Tho 
wounded wero carried off, with the exception of the 
few who seemed for some reason to have been forgot¬ 
ten. Our own loss was eight killed, six badly wouud- 
ed, and seventeen slightly. The Iosb was slight, 
considering the character of the engagement, and tho 
well directed fire to which our vessels were exposed 
from some of tho rebel guns. The ono which gave 
onr fleet the most annoyance was a heavy rifled 60- 
pounder at Ray Point, which was served most admira¬ 
bly, doubtless by some experienced array officer, who 
directed his shot, to a large extent, at the flag ship, 
and was evidently disposed to have his shot inako the 
acquaintance of some of our officers, as one of them 
passed over the bridge, where Commodore Dupont 
and others were standing, in an uncomfortable prox¬ 
imity to their heads. When Bay Point was taken 
possession of, this gun was found hurst into several 
fragments, perhaps by design, to prevent it from fall¬ 
ing into onr hands. 
DAMAGE TO THE PI.EET. 
Tho safety of ®ur vessels was in tho determined 
courage which led them to take a position so close 
under tho Hhore batteries that their Bhot flow com¬ 
pletely overhead or among the rigging, instead of 
striking tho hull. In spite of this, however, tho 
WabaBh received thirty-four Bhots of all kinds, the 
Pawnee nine in tho hull alone, and tho Mohican was 
nearly as badly cut. Tho Ponguiu had a steam chest 
destroyed, and was obliged to bo taken in tow. 
BEAUFORT DESERTED. 
While onr troops were busy on shore, on Friday, 
the 8th, the gun-boats Curlew, Seneca, and Pembina, 
were sent np the river on a reconnoissance, penctva- 
tingas far as Beaufort without opposition, and return¬ 
ing before night to report that place deserted by 
every white person, excepting ono man who was too 
drunk to go. 
THE HEBEI, FORTS AND GENERAL. 
The fortifications at Hilton Head and Bay Point 
were commenced as early as last July, and since that 
time tho 9th South Carolina Volunteers, Col. Hey¬ 
ward, and tho 12th, Col. Elliott, have been stationed 
there. These troops were under tho command of 
Brig.-Gen. Thomas F. Drayton, whose residence is 
upon Hilton Head Island, and who was present du¬ 
ring the bombardment. Gen. Drayton is said to bo 
an accomplished soldier, having had the benefit of 
a West Point, education, and a singular circum¬ 
stance of I he battle was the fact that his brother, 
Pereival Drayton, commander of the United States 
war steamer Pocahontas, was arriryed against him. 
Army officers say that the work at Hilton Head is 
the finest of its kind ever erected in this country. 
Tt was nearly completed, and in a very brief time 
may bo made perfectly secure as a defensive posi¬ 
tion against, any approach from the land aide, from 
which direction only is there any possibility of 
attack. The shape of the fort is angular, and it oc¬ 
cupies between three and four acres of ground.— 
Around the exterior is a deep ditch in which pickets 
are planted on the land side; and two cerbonnieres, 
built of palmetto logs, having loop-holes for sharp¬ 
shooters, protect the approaches on the sea-coast 
from a storming party. 
There were twenty-one guns in position, with 
good carriages and working Implements. Most of 
the guns are of a superior character, manufactured 
in England, and addressed in white paint:—“Gen. 
Beanregard, Charleston, 8. C., in haste.” Among 
them was a peculiar rifled gnn, with projectiles to 
match, which was entirely now to all our officers. 
Tho interior of the fort hears evidence of skill and 
careful construction. There were numerous traver¬ 
ses across it to protect the garrison from shell 
explosions, and the three magazines were abundantly 
supplied with ammunition. Covered passage ways, 
about fifty feet long, led to the cerbonnieres, and 
several wells dug in them and at other points with¬ 
in the fort, supply the garrison with water. The 
ammunition of the rebels was equally as good as our 
own, every ounce being of English manufacture. 
Their cartridges were well put up, and their friction 
tubes wero recognized aa the production of a well- 
known New York house. Many muskets, bayonets, 
cartridge boxes, Ac., were also found. Tho tents in 
tho encampment to the left of the fort were all 
floored, aud sentry boxes scattered on tho confines of 
tho camp showed that the guards, in case of storm, 
had a place of refuge, and were protected also from 
the chill night air. Indeed, everywhere it was appa¬ 
rent that the rebels had done what they could to 
lessen the hardships of a soldier’s life. 
The works at Bay Point are scarcely inferior to 
those at Hilton Head. There were 14 guns abandoned 
at this place, only one of which was spiked. On the 
water front 32-poumIcr gnns and columbiads were 
mounted. To the right of the principal redoubt, or 
main battery, is another of three guns; and on the 
seacoast side, at a distance of about a mile and a half 
from the Point, was still another fortification, mount¬ 
ing four 6-pounder Parrot guns and carriages, one 
24-pounder siege howitzer and carriage, and one 24- 
pounder siege gun, which was spiked. Aa at Hilton 
Head, there was plenty of ammunition, which fell 
into our tiands, and an additional prize in an im¬ 
mense quantity of rice and other commissary stores. 
The rebels had named their works at Bay Point in 
honor of Beauregard. 
„ , Official communications (min an offi¬ 
cial on the affairs of a belligerent Governeient are such di»- 
patchee aa present a hostile character on the carriers of them. 
The mischievous eonspq nances of such a service cannot bn 
estimated, and extend far beyond the effects of any contraband 
that can be conveyed; for it is manifest that, by the carriage 
of such dispatcher, the most important operations of a bellig¬ 
erent army may be forwarded nr obstructed. 
“ In general cases of contraband, the quantity of the article 
carried may be a material circumstance, hut the smallest dis¬ 
patch may serve to turn the fortunes of war In favor of a par¬ 
ticular belligerent.” 
Sec. 274—"The penalty i» confiscation of the ship which 
conveys the dispatches, aud of the cargo.” 
The principle, moreover, has been fully recognized 
in the public action of the English Government. 
Thus we find in the declaration of war by England 
against Russia, of the 28th of March, 1854, the fol-‘ 
lowing language: 
“It is impossible for ITer Majesty to forego her right of 
seizing articles contraband of war, and of preventing neutrals 
from hearing enemies’ dispatches.” 
The Proclamation of <^neen Victoria, given on the 
13th of May last, regarding the immediate dutiaB of 
English subjects toward this eonntry in the present 
difficulty, is very explicit. We quote a portion: 
“ And we do hereby warn all our loving subjects, and all 
persons whatsoever entitled to our protection, that if any of 
them vhall presume, In contempt of thi* onr Royal Procla¬ 
mation ami of our high displeasure, to do any acta in deroga¬ 
tion of their duty as subject* of a neutrul Sovereign In the 
said contest, or in vfolatiou or contravention of tho law of 
nations in that behalf, as, Tor example, and more especially, 
by entering into the military service or either said contend 
ing parties commissioned or non coinmis«ionp<l officers, or 
soldiers, or by serving as officers, sailors. Or mini nov on 
hoard any ship or vessel of Wur, or transport, or by "nrryinu 
officers, soldiers, dispatches, arms, military stores, tie materials, 
or any article or articles considered and deemed to he contra 
hand of war, according to the law or modern ux/jge of nations, 
for the. us i or sen nee qf either of the said contending pieties, 
all parties so offending will incur and he liable to the several 
penalties and penal consequenc es by the said statute, or by the 
law of natiims in I hat behalf imposed nr denounced.” 
As to the position of our own Government upon 
this question, we believe there is little doubt. We 
have always conceded the right of a belligerent to 
visit and search a neutral ship, If it was suspected that 
she was carrying articles contraband of war, white 
in times of peace we have atrenuoosly forbidden 
such privilege. The following from Chancellor Kent 
is sufficient on this point: 
“In order to enloreo tho right*! of belligerent nations 
against the lielinquanatos of neutrals, and to determine Die 
real am well «a tho ass limed character of all vcshbIm on tho 
high sous, the !au> of nations arms them vrilh the practical 
l>qwr.r of visitation a/tid search. The duty of null preservation 
gives to belligerent nations this right.. It is founded upon 
necessity, ami is strictly and exclusively a war right, nod 
does nut rightfully exist, in timo of pence, unless conceded by 
treaty. All writers upon the law of nations ami trie highest 
authorities acknowledge the right iu timo of war, as resting 
on sound principles of jurisprudence, and upon the instilotes 
and practice of all great maritime powers. And if, upon 
A stain on our banner? Oh, shame to the heart 
Or the lip that could breathe such a thought! 
Every hue is as clear, every fold is as dear. 
As when first the bright symbol was bought. 
With the blood of brave men it was purchased, aad we 
Fledge our own liveo to keep it unstained; 
On the land or the sea, where'er it may be, 
Its honor shall still be maintained.” 
ROCHESTER, N. Y., NOVEMBER 30, 1861 
The Port Koyti.1 Expedition. 
Lack of space confined ns in our last issue to the 
mere official record of this great victory over tho 
rebels, and we now give our readers an account, from 
the N. Y. Post, of the action in detail. It will be 
necessary to pass over the various incidents of the 
voyage, with the statement that the fleet enoonntered 
a terrible hurricane on the night of Wednesday; that 
two steamers foundered, carrying down seven of our 
marines; that several were disabled, and two ran 
ashore upon the Southern coast. Stifling In the 
Crowded holds of the vessels were our soldiers, 
through all this appalling gale, left to imagine un¬ 
known terrors in the howling storm and the buffeting 
waves, which seemed at each moment about to rend 
tho trembling and groaning vessel into a thousand 
fragments. They bore it well, however, and the 
ordeal through which they were compelled that night 
to pass, put them to the teBt and showed that there 
were few cowards there. 
THE PRELIMINARY BECONNOISSANOE. 
The weather could not have been finer than on 
Monday. The air was soft and balmy, and from the 
near shore of Carolina the bright-winged butterflies 
came floating out to the Bhips to tell us frost-bitten 
Northerners of the summer which still lingered there. 
It was a day to put every man at good will with his 
fellow, and it was impossible to realize that we were 
bent on any other errand than one of friendship — 
that the men who clustered so thickly about the 
decks of these noble steamers were other than peace¬ 
ful pleasure seekers—or that the lively music of the 
bands invited to pursuits more deadly than those of 
the festival and the dance. But in the clear sunlight 
the bustle of warlike preparation was observable on 
every hand. On board the transports, muskets were 
examined, ammunition got ready, entrenching tools 
unboxed, and every preparation made for landing at 
an instant’s notice, 
Main Line. 
Wabash, 50 guns, 
Susquehannab, 
Mohican, 
Seminole, 
Pawnee, 
Unadilla, 
Ottawa, 
Pembina, 
Isaac Smith 
The Pocahontas did not come into the action until 
some time after it commenced, having just arrived, 
and the Mercnry, though placed in the Hanking 
column, had no fixed position, being, iu obedience 
to her name, the messenger for the flag ship. The 
Sabine, Ravannab, and Vandalia, which were to have 
been added to the fleet, were not called for, so that 
the attacking fleet waa less by nearly a hundred 
guns than the force which was available in case of 
need. But it was sufficient. 
ATTACK UPON THE REBEL BATTERIES. 
Sweeping up the channel, within eight hundred 
yards of Fort Beauregard on the right, the two lines 
delivered their fire from their starboard gun3 against 
the batteries on that side as they passed by, and then 
continuing up the channel, came down on the other 
side, delivering their firo at Fort Walker on Hilton 
Head, meanwhile keeping their port guns at work aa 
they could bring them to bear. The fire was returned 
from the rebel batteries with the utmost spirit, but 
during the first round, which occupied about an hour, 
no one was killed on any of our vessels. For the 
second time, and again for the third, the fleet swept 
past the forts, delivering tho fire with more certain 
aim, and a more and more deadly effect; most of the 
attention being given to Fort Walker, which was the 
point of attack; the batteries on the opposite side 
being engaged only so far as was necessary to occupy 
their attention, and keep our guns fully employed. 
On the third round, in obedience to an order from 
Captain Steedman of the Bienville, who led the flank* 
ing column, five vessels, Instead of continuing on 
tho line, ran up into the bight of tho channel, and 
took a position to enfilade the batteries of Fort 
Walker, which was done with terrible effect. For 
four hours the storm of iron missiles wa 3 poured 
down upon these devoted forts, and the shells from 
effects In a campaign; but that is a consequence so remote 
ami accidental, that, m the contemplation of human event*, 
it is a sort of evanescent quantity of which nn accountT“ 
taken; and the practice ha< been, accordingly, that it is in 
considerable quantities only that the uftenss of contraband 
is contentplated. ih*CA*e of Uinpatcben in very different* it 
is impossible to hmlt a letter to *o small a size aa not to'be 
capable oi producing the most Important consequences It 
is a service, therefore, which, in whatever degree it exists, 
can only be considered iu ono character — as an act of the 
most hostile nature. The offence of fraudulently carrying 
dispatches in the service of the enemy being, then greater 
than that of carrying contraband under any circumstances 
it becomes absolutely Deceecaiy, as well n* just, to resort Us 
some other penalty than that inBictcd In cases of contraband. 
The confiscation of the noxious article, which constitutes 
the penalty in contraband, where the vessel and cargo do 
not belong to the same person, would he ridiculous when 
applied to dispab hcj. There would be no freight dependent 
on their transportation, and therefore this penalty could 
not, in the nature of things, be applied, The vehicle in 
which they me Carried must, therefore, be confiscated.” 
From the Elancnls of International Law we quote:— 11 The 
limits assigned to the operations of war against embassadors 
by writer* on public law. are, that the belligerent may exer¬ 
cise his right of war ag*io*t them, wherever the character of 
hostility exists; he may slop the emhturador of his enemy on 
Ms passage} but when he has arrived in the neutral country, 
and taken on himself the functions of his office, and has 
been admitted in his representative character, he becomes 
a sort of middle man, entitled to peculiar privileges, as set 
apart for the preservation of the relations of amity and 
peace, in maintaining which all nations are, in some degree 
interested,” 6 ’ 
The Vixen was already busy 
sending her row boats to souud the channel and mark 
its outlines with buoys, to guide the larger vessels 
when they should attempt the passage of the bar. 
REBEL BRAVADO. 
In the afternoon three small armed rebel steamers 
oame down Broad River and opened fire upon our 
gnn boats from a safe distance, the fire being briskly 
returned. No damage resulted on either side until 
the Pawnee eailed up and sent a rifled shot after the 
rebels, which is supposed to have taken effect, as two 
of their vessels at once paddled off, taking the third 
Sketches of Gen. Sherman and his Stall'. 
In connection with our account of the capture of 
Beaufort, the landing of Union forces, etc., etc., we 
doubt not that the following brief sketches from the 
N. Y. Tribune, of Gen. Siiekman and Staff, will pos¬ 
sess unusual interest: 
Brigadier General T. W. Sherman, commanding 
the land forces of the expedition, entered tho military 
service from Rhode Island, and graduated In 1836, 
18th in his class. He was appointed second lieuten¬ 
ant in the 3d artillery July 1, 1836; assistant oommia- 
