The Attack on Port Royal

Joshua Ulloa

Junior Division

Historical Paper

Paper Length: 2,109 words

 2

Introduction

In the Civil War, there were many battles and critical points that helped in the victory of

the Union. The Battle of Port Royal was the second battle of the Civil War. “The Battle of Port

Royal culminated an amphibious operation designed to establish a United States military depot

on the southeastern coast to carry out land and sea operations against the Confederacy” (Wise

2016). This battle gave the Union its first victory. In November 1861 the Union attacked the

Confederate at Port Royal, South Carolina. This battle lasted for four days from November

Third, 1861 to November Seventh, 1861. This battle had the Union fighting the Confederate for

control over the port. The Union took control and shut down the port. This Union victory shut

down a place of resources for the Confederate.

Background Information

“Three days after the fall of Fort Sumter in April of 1861, President Abraham Lincoln

proclaimed a blockade of all Southern ports” (“The story of the Battle of Port Royal” 2012).After

the fall of Fort Sumter, there was a new order for the ports to be closed. The South refused this

order. Because of this refusal, the Union wanted to punish the South. The North had a plan to

form a blockade of the Southern ports. To continue with this blockade, they needed places to

occupy and hold the blockade. "In November of 1861, as the Civil War first roared, Union forces

hungrily eyed Port Royal Sound as a place to refuel ships and to serve as the nucleus of an

aquatic blockade of the South” (“Naval tactic helped Union win Battle of Port Royal Sound”
2002). They needed a place for resources and a place for fuel for their steam-powered ship. They

needed a place with a

natural harbor, and that would be easy to go in and out of. The North needed a place where they

could easily resupply. “To sustain and strengthen its blockade of Southern ports, the Union Navy

needed to have a coaling, refitting, and supply station located somewhere on the southeast coast”

(The Battle of Port Royal 2012). They chose many ports, but only one in South Carolina. The

one port that they decided on was Port Royal, South Carolina.

Conflict

On November Third through November fifth Du Pont and his army prepared and planned

their attack. “By November 4 the flotilla had converged, and during the next few days the vessels

prepared for combat and moved over the sound’s outer sandbar” (Lowe 2001). This quote tells

that the Union was getting ready to attack. “...on November 5, Du Pont and his flag captain, C.H.

Davis, developed and issued a novel attack plan that involved a double reduction” (Lowe 2001).

This previous quote explains that on November 5 Du Pont sent out his final version of the plan.

On November Sixth, 1861 the Union attacked the port. Five different ships kept going

around and around in a circle shooting at Fort Beauregard and Fort Walker. While doing this,

they also protected the flank that they had planned. Even though the forts were heavily armed

and fortified, they never did any significant damage to the Union’s fleet. According to William

C. Lowe, “Du Pont would use the maneuverability of his steamships to counter the advantages
enjoyed by the forts”(2001). This quote says the Union kept their ships moving while shooting

instead of dropping anchor.

Later in the day, the Union attacked Port Royal again. This time it was working the

Confederate started to abandon the two forts. After taking heavy gunfire from the Union’s

steamboats and proving themselves ineffective to the boats, the Confederate abandoned the two

forts in fear. “For over five hours the Union vessels pounded both Confederate forts as they

returned fire. In Fort Walker, the supply of gunpowder was quickly dwindling, and by 1:15 pm,

just as the Wabash was about to make her sixth run, the Rebel soldiers began to evacuate. This

retreat signaled the end” (CW DG 2001). Now with the forts protecting port royal abandoned,

the Union can now start taking over the port and securing it.

“At last the memorable 7th dawned upon us, bright and serene; not a ripple upon the

broad expanse of water to disturb the accuracy of fire from the broad decks of that magnificent

armada” (Gen. Drayton of the Confederate). On the seventh of November, all of the

Confederate’s defenses have been officially lost. The South now had nothing to protect its

beloved natural harbor and home. “At 9:00 am on November 7th, 1861, Du Pont led his naval

squadron into Port Royal Sound, steaming straight in between the two forts” ( The story of the

Battle of Port Royal 2012). Du Pont was now finally infiltrating the port like they initially had

planned.
 “The battle lasted for five hours and led to federal occupation of Hilton Head Island for

the remainder of the war, with Union forces using the island as a supply base and

headquarters”(Stice 2011). After endless hours of battle, they had finally done it. The Union has

successfully taken down the defenses. “Two o’clock had now arrived, when I noticed our men

coming out of the fort,

which they had bravely defended for 4 12 hours against fearful odds” (Gen. Drayton, 1861).

With little damage done to the Union’s fleet and not much done to the lives of the men on the

Union’s fleet.

After news of the Union’s efforts residents of Port Royal decided to evacuate and flee the

area. When the Union arrived on the mainland, they had discovered that there was nobody left

except for the slaves. The Union then freed the slaves and hired them to fight for the North. The

Union later claimed Port Royal as their own. Next, they revamped the forts for protection and to

ensure that they would keep the fort. They renamed Fort Walker to Fort Welles.

The Compromise

This battle resulted in a compromise; a compromise that would end the fighting over the

port. The South gave up their defenses to the North. Over many rigorous hours and days, the

South fled from their defenses that were the only thing stopping the North. The South first

escaped and abandoned Fort Walker. Fort Beauregard still stood though. The South stayed in

Fort Beauregard and held their position. Eventually, they fled just like the previous fort and

surrendered it to the North. The South was forced to surrender to the Northern forces.
 Soon word got out to the town of Port Royal. The townspeople ran from the scene

leaving only their slaves behind. As the North rowed into the port, they realized that the town

was abandoned with only slaves left behind. “Every white inhabitant had left the islands of

Hilton Head, St. Helena, Ladies, and Port Royal, and the beautiful estates of the planters were at

the

mercy of hordes of negroes” (“The Capture of Port Royal, November 1861” McNutt). This quote

states how the people evacuated everywhere close to Port Royal. Everyone left except slaves.

The northern soldiers ended up freeing the slaves and hiring them to help fight for their rights.

Shortly after they took over the port and freed the slaves, the slaves joined the North in their

mission. “Many of the ex-slaves joined the Union armed forces” (“South Carolina Beaufort

Area” 2007). The previous quote explains that some of the slaves went to fight for the North.

They next freed the slaves and hired some of them to fight for the North in the war. “Slaves soon

flocked to this new Union beachhead — and to freedom. The influx of thousands of blacks

provided challenges for the occupiers and opportunities for the ex-slaves” (“South Carolina

Beaufort Area” 2007). The previously stated quote explains how the slaves came running into

the port for slavery and how some slaves were left behind yet to be free.

Effects of this Battle

The Battle of Port Royal affected both the South and the North.The battle changed them

in many different ways. “The victory at Port Royal also inaugurated a revolution in naval tactics.
The Navy no longer had to depend on tide and wind, and with the new weaponry available, forts

could be challenged with a greater degree of confidence” (Lowe 2001). They both had one effect

in common. This quote states that the battle brought about a movement of new naval tactics. The

new naval tactics affected both the south and the north because it brought a new way of

attacking.

The battle affected the North in two other ways. The battle raised the spirits of the North.

“Du Pont’s successful attack against Port Royal’s strong shore defenses helped revive the

flagging spirits of the North, which had slumped since Bull Run” (Lowe 2001). The previous

quote states that the battle got the hopes of the Union back up and running. The battle raised the

hopes of the many who were losing it.

Another way that this battle affected the North was that it gave a place to refuel and rest

while holding the blockade. This valuable spot gave the North a place to hold the blockade and

to keep it strong. Without this victory, the North would not have been able to keep the blockade

strong. The blockade that would be created by the South will have a big impact on the outcome

of the war.

With the loss of this valuable port, the South now lost an important and key place. Since

the south loss Port Royal, they lost a place of valuable resources. They used this port to get

manufactured goods from other countries.

Jefferson Davis hoped that the sympathy or even intervention of European powers might more

than compensate for the Confederacy’s lack of material resources. This hope, largely illusory

from the start, became less and less likely of realization with the emancipation of the slaves, with

every Union victory, and with the increasing effectiveness of the blockade.

-North and South 1861

This states how the blockade kept on blocking out resources that were for the South. Ever

since the South lost Port Royal, it has been harder and harder for them to get resources which

will eventually ultimately lead to their fall.

Also Port Royal had a good position on Charleston. It gave the North a place to be able

to take Charleston. Port Royal allowed the North to have the best location you can have on South

Carolina in general. “The effect of this Union victory was to give the fleet and army of the

United States a permanent and abundant base of operations against the whole coast of South

Carolina, and against either Charleston or Savannah” (“THE CAPTURE OF PORT ROYAL,

NOVEMBER 1861” Mcnutt). This states how the North had an advantage over South Carolina

because of this win at Port Royal.

Historical Context
 The battle of Port Royal was an essential battle in history. This battle was a crucial point

in the Civil War. Without this battle, the North would never have won the war. This battle helped

the North in defeating the South. This battle is a serious battle that is needed in the history of the

United States of America. This battle helped to keep the states together and keep one part of the

nation under control. If this battle never took place then where America is now would be split

into two different countries and would still have slaves.This battle was a necessary battle in the

Civil War. It allowed the North to have a key position on Charleston and South Carolina in

general. The battle gave the Union a step-up in the war.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, the Battle of Port Royal, South Carolina was an essential battle in the

Civil War. This battle brought about a change in naval tactics and affected both the South and the

North.Without this battle things in the United States would change drastically.The South fled and

allowed the North to get control over this valuable place. As a result of this battle, the South lost

a place to get resources. The Battle of Port Royal was a battle in Port Royal, South Carolina that

dated November 3, 1861, to November 7, 1861. This battle lasted for four days. This battle had

the Union and Confederate fighting for control over the port. The Union took control and shut

down the port. This Union victory shut down a place of resources for the Confederate. The

battle of Port Royal was an important and historical battle in American history.
 Annotated Bibliography

Primary Sources:

“INTERESTING REBEL DOCUMENT.; THE CAPTURE OF PORT ROYAL. FORT

BEAUREGARD.” To Capt. L.D. Walker, Assistant Adjutant-General, Charleston, S.C.,

www.nytimes.com/1862/02/15/news/interesting-rebel-document-the-capture-of-port-royal-fort-b

eauregard.html?pagewanted=all. Accessed 24 Oct. 2017.

​This source is a journal entry from General Drayton, who was at the site of the attack. It gives

specific details of how the North attacked the two forts protecting the port. It gives first hand

information of the emotions and feelings the confederate had while under fire. The source gives
important details of what happened in the fort and how the Confederate soldiers escaped the

oncoming enemy fire. It explains what the fort was like and why the Confederate escaped.

“Letters relating to the battle of Port Royal and occupation of the Confederate forts.” Report of

Flag-officer Dupont:,

www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2001.05.0055%3Achapter%3D34.

Accessed 10 Nov. 2017.

The website gives letters that general Dupont sent to his leaders. ​This source explains the Union

side of the battle, from flag officer Dupont. It gives details of how the Union general lead his

troops into battle. It describes how each and every day felt and how the conditions the soldiers

were in. The source gives details of some of the effects of the battle. The letters tell of events of

the battle and how they were executed.

Secondary Sources:

“A Journey Through History: The Battle of Port Royal.” Eatsleepplaybeufort.com,

eatsleepplaybeaufort.com/a-journey-through-history-the-battle-of-port-royal/. Accessed 3 Nov.

2017.
This source is a website that tells of reasons for the battle to happen. It tells of the blockade and

how Port Royal was a crucial part to it. It explains why the port was important and why the

North wanted it so badly. It also tells of the events that took place at the battle..

“Battle of Port Royal, SC.” CivilWarAlbum.com,

www.civilwaralbum.com/misc13/portroyal1.htm. Accessed 10 Nov. 2017.

This source gives information on the first shots of the battle. It tells how hard it was for the North

to even get to Port Royal through the big storm. It allows the reader to get information about how

much damage each side did to each other. It lets the reader get a comparison of the Union and the

Confederate. The website also explains to readers the plans that each side had and how they were

each created.

Blog Divided.

housedivided.dickinson.edu/sites/blogdivided/2010/06/20/the-battle-of-port-royal-november-17-

1861/. Accessed 10 Nov. 2017.

This source lets readers know the size of the battle. It allows readers to fully comprehend how

much of an impact this battle had on the Civil War. It allows people to know why Port Royal was

important and how it was important. This source tells how Port Royal was one of the biggest

naval operations so far.

“ Civil War for kids: Union wins a victory at Port Royal Sound, South Carolina.” The

Washington

Post,www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/civil-war-for-kids-union-wins-a-victory-at-port

-royal-sound-south-carolina/2011/10/31/gIQAGH1d2M_story.html?utm_term=.228260f1c400.

Accessed 10 Nov. 2017.

This source gives important information on why Port Royal was important. It tells how the

victory boosted the Northern troops morale. This source tells of what the South was expecting

the North to do and how the South tried to defend the port.

“EASY VICTORY AT PORT ROYAL; GRANT PROVES HIMSELF AT BELMONT.” Civil

War Daily Gazette,

civilwardailygazette.com/easy-victory-at-port-royal-charge-and-retreat-at-belmont/. Accessed 10

Nov. 2017.

This secondary source tells of how the North prepared for this battle. It explains how Du Pont

lead his ships into battle and how they used the waters to their advantage. It tells how the

Southern supplies were quickly dwindling.

HistoryofWar. 14 Aug. 2007, www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_port_royal.html. Accessed

24 Oct. 2017.
This secondary source tells how the battle affected the South. It explains how Port Royal is one

of the best natural harbors for South Carolina. This source gives information on another reason

why the North needed to capture Port Royal.

Legacy Leadership of the Lowcountry. www.lllowcountry.com/page22.html. Accessed 10 Nov.

2017.

This source gives important data about the number of soldiers their were in the fight. It gives

information on how these soldiers were hurt and how they were important in the battle.

Lowe, William C. “Battle of Port Royal Summary.” Historynet.com, Jan. 2001,

www.historynet.com/battle-of-port-royal.htm. Accessed 24 Oct. 2017.

“Naval tactic helped Union win Battle of Port Royal Sound.” Leatherneck.com,

www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?22768-Naval-tactic-helped-Union-win-Battle-of-

Port-Royal-Sound. Accessed 10 Nov. 2017.

This source is important because it tells how Port Royal gave way to a new advancement in

naval tactics. It tells how the Battle of Port Royal had a long lasting effect on the naval tactics of

the United States.

“North and South in 1861.” Learn NC, www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-civilwar/5463.

Accessed 24 Oct. 2017.

This source tells of how the battle took place. It tells how the North fought the South and how

the South defended from the North. It explains the compromise of the Battle of Port Royal and

how it affected both sides of the war.

Stice, Allison. “Civil War sesquicentennial: Remembering the Battle of Port Royal.” The

Beaufort Gazette, 5 Nov. 2011,

www.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article33442818.html. Accessed

10 Nov. 2017.

This source gives detailed descriptions about how the battle was actually fought out. It explains

how long the battle was and how it still affects us today. It tells why it’s important to today's

society.

“The Battle of Port Royal.” MyCivilWar, 2012, www.mycivilwar.com/battles/611107a.html.

Accessed 24 Oct. 2017.

This source tells of how General Du Pont prepared for the battle. It explains how many ships he

ordered for the battle. It tells of how rough it was just to get to North Carolina. It explains that

they had to go through a rough storm to get to Port Royal.

​ Wise, Stephen R. “Port Royal, Battle of.” South Carolina Encyclopedia, Stephen R. Wise, 20

June 2016, www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/port-royal-battle-of/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2017.

This source explains how Port Royal was an amphibious battle. This source explains how many

people died in the battle. It also explains how the North took over the forts and revamped them.