THE AMERICAN WAR.

Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 1694, 24 January 1862, Page 5

THE AMERICAN WAR.

(From the Home News,)

The interest of the struggle in America has beeu suddenly transferred from the Potomac, where little or nothing has been done during the past month, to the coast of Soulh Carolina. About the end of October afgreat naval expedition was sent against the Confederate coast by the Federal Government. Its precise destination was kept a profound secret, but it was generally understood that ihe object aimed at was to seize some large port and open the ootton trade. A few hours ago we received intelligence that this expedition had achieved au important success. On the 7th November it captured, after a short bombardment, and with very slight loss, the Port Jloyal forts, and on the following day 15,000 Federal troops disembarked at Beaufort, The harbour of Port Royal ia one of the finest on the Con- I federate Coast, andJßeaufort is one of the chief towns of South Carolina. Such a result can hardly be expected unless the Federals do something more than merely hold the position, and unless the loyal Unionists in the South are a much stronger party than they have hitherto proved themselves to be. It is clear, however, that a decided military advantage may have", been already gained by the expedition. Beaufort is so situated that an army which has possession of it may easily menace Charleston and Savannah, and the detachment of troops from th« Potomac for the defence of these cities would naturally lighten General MClellan's work.

General Fremont has been removed from hiu command, in Missouri. His troops were indignant, and almost thrown into a state of revolt; but his influence calmed them for a moment. We have not yet, howerer, seen the issue of this bold step.

Animated bjr an inexplicable desire to surprise a rebel camp that was reported to have been set up nearLeesbuvg on the Virginia side of the Upper Potomac, certain; bodies of troops, totally unprovided with the proper means of transit, and, therefore, of retreat in case of necessity, pushed across the river. Although there was a canal close by groaning with superfluous boats, the expedition could find only three boats to ferry them over, material and all ; one conveying sixteen persons, and the other two, four or five persous each. How they mauaged to get across at all and how it was that the enemy, if they were within reach, did not auuihilata them iv detail on their passage, are facts as marvellous to contemplate a 9 the origiual conception of undertaking such an enterprise under such circumstances. What followed was worthy of the opening. The Virginian shore rises in steep cliffs from the water. Having climbed up this aeliviiy, the foremost party speedily became engaged with the enemy. After some skirmishing, reinforcements were obtained on both sides j and then a disposition for battle was made, aud what appears to have been a sort of irregular fight took place. The Northerns numbered no less than 1800 men. How many Southerns there were is unknown, that crafty force having established themselves principally iv a wood from whence they could fire with impunity, deliberately pick out their victims, and inflict the largest possible amount of damage upon iheirantagonists at the smallest possible amount of danger to themselves. There never was such a position chosen, or occupied even by necessity, as that which was taken up by the Federalists. Their line appears to have stretched along the margin of the bluff, with its back to the river, its right aud left covered with woods, and the enemy sheltered by a dense wood in front. The whole space is described as not covering more than twelve or fifteen acres. It was obvious retreat was impossible. There was nothing but victory

or dea'b ; and had the whole thing been got up with an especial view to the tunpithaa're, for the production of a startling effect it could not have been more skilfully devised, To do the Federalists justice, they fought valiantly, perhaps we ought to say desperately; but valour was useless when the enemy had the complete command of the ground. At last Colonel Baker, who was one of the bravest of men, if rashness may be permitted to count as bravery, Was killed, and then followed confusion, di.-sension. and difference of opinion. Tho men were ahead of the officers in zeal and avidity to press for ward; the officers were divided between flight and surrender; and finally nothing was left but to escape down the cliff, aud make for the island. All oider was abandoned. The destruction of human life was appalling. At least one-half of the whole Federal force was destroyed.