On November 7, 1861, as shells burst around the steam frigate USS Susquehanna in South Carolina’s Port Royal Sound, 23-year-old captain’s clerk Simon Bassler stayed at his post. Afterward, the Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania native wrote to the editors of the Miners’ Journal back home in Schuylkill County. Bassler served in the Marine Corps detachment aboard the Susquehanna.

“On the 7th of this month we re-planted the glorious stars and stripes upon the soil of rebellious South Carolina, the very hot-bed of Secession,” Bassler wrote.

The Susquehanna sailed with the Great Expedition, the fleet that had fought through a hurricane on its way south from Hampton Roads, Virginia. Its mission was to seize Port Royal Sound, near Beaufort, as a base for the Army and a coaling station for the Navy’s blockade of the Southern coast.

For roughly four hours, the fleet’s guns pounded the two Confederate forts guarding the sound: Fort Walker on Hilton Head Island and Fort Beauregard across the channel. In the end, the defenders abandoned both forts. US Army troops went ashore unopposed and gave the North its first foothold in South Carolina, the state that had led the South out of the Union.

Bassler’s letter offers a brief account of the battle, along with dispatches exchanged among naval officers after the victory, including the Susquehanna’s commander.

From the Miners’ Journal, November 16, 1861

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CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MINERS’ JOURNAL.

U. S. FRIGATE SUSQUEHANNA,

PORT ROYAL BAY, S. C., Nov. 9th, 1861.

EDITORS MINERS’ JOURNAL—Dear Sirs:—

It is probably not yet generally known amongst your readers, that our gallant Navy has very lately had another glorious engagement. 

On the 7th of this month we re-planted the glorious stars and stripes upon the soil of rebellious South Carolina, the very hot-bed of Secession. Early on the 7th the Commodore signalized the fleet to get under way and prepare for action. Hilton Head and Bay Point, two very strong secesh batteries, were to be captured.

The enemy appeared to be confident of the success of their party. They proudly and defiantly challenged us, and even several steamers, filled with ladies and gentlemen from Charleston, Beaufort, and other places, reconnoitered about up the stream, as spectators of the engagement. 

At ten o’clock we hauled under their guns, when they opened a most terrible fire upon us, which we were not slow to return with interest. In less than ten minutes the scene was awful, and beggared description. Shot, shell and grape rained around and about us. 

Our noble ships sent perfect torrents of the same death-dealing messengers into their batteries. The action was continued without interruption for four hours, when we hauled out to give our men a rest. The gun-boats still kept up a desultory firing, which the enemy scarcely returned. At length silence reigned on their batteries. We again went in, and gave them several guns, which they did not answer. 

Suddenly a flag of truce appeared on their ramparts. There was some shouting and cheering done on board our ships, I assure you. 

The Commodore sent a boat ashore under a white flag. The enemy had fled, having literally left everything behind them. We took possession of the place, and raised our beautiful banner on the same staff where an hour before the rebel flag floated.

An immense number of troops were then landed during the night and the next day. Our loss in the whole fleet was eleven killed and forty wounded. The Susquehanna did nobly.

I send you a copy of a general order from the Commodore, accompanied by a congratulatory letter to our Captain:

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General Order, No. 2.

FLAG SHIP WABASH,

HILTON HEAD, PORT ROYAL BAY, Nov. 8th, 1861.

It is the grateful duty of the commander-in-chief to make a public acknowledgment of his entire commendation of the coolness, discipline, skill and gallantry displayed by the officers and men under his command, in the capture of the batteries on Hilton Head and Bay Point, after an action of four hours’ duration.

The Flag Officer fully sympathizes with the officers and men of his squadron in the satisfaction they must feel at seeing the ensign of the Union flying once more in the State of South Carolina, which has been the chief promoter of the wicked and unprovoked rebellion they have been called upon to suppress.

(Signed.)

S. F. DUPONT, 

Flag Officer Commanding

South Atlantic Blockade Squadron.

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WABASH, OFF HILTON HEAD,

PORT ROYAL, S. C., 9th Nov., 1861.

MY DEAR LARDNER:—I enclose a general order, to be read to the officers and crew of the Susquehanna, and I take the occasion to say that your noble ship, throughout the whole of the battle, was precisely where I wanted her to be, doing precisely what I wanted her to do, and that your close support of this ship was a very gallant thing.

Truly your friend,

(Signed)

S. F. DUPONT.

Capt. J. L. LARDNER,

Com’d’g Susquehanna.

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I am sorry that time will not permit me to give you the details of this dreadful engagement. Perhaps I shall do so by and by, as well as give you other accounts of our doings on the blockade. Meanwhile,

Respectfully yours,

S. S. B.

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Read the previous letter from the Letters from War: 1861 series.

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This is part of an ongoing series called “Letters from War: 1861” that will share correspondence written on the front lines during the turbulent first year of the Civil War.

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