exploding the magazine. At the end of three hours the fort surrendered. Its defenders, who were commanded by Samuel Barron, formerly of the United States navy, had suffered a loss of about fifty in killed and wounded. They had been reinforced in the night, but a steamer was seen taking away a load of troops just before the surrender. The seven hundred prisoners were sent on board the flag-ship and carried to New York. The victors had not lost a man. There had been some intention of destroying the forts and blocking up the channels of the inlet; but it was determined instead to leave a garrison and establish a coaling station for the blockading fleet. Two of the frigates remained in the Sound, and within a fortnight half a dozen blockade-runners entered the inlet and were captured. [Illustration: LAND FORCES STORMING THE FORTIFICATIONS AT FORT CLARK. (Two views.)] {69} [Illustration: FORTS HATTERAS AND CLARK, N. C., CAPTURED ON THE 29th OF AUGUST, 1861.] [Illustration: GUNBOAT "MENDOTA."] [Illustration: COMMANDER C. R. P. RODGERS. (Afterward Rear-Admiral.)] [Illustration: COMMANDER JOHN RODGERS. (Afterward Rear-Admiral.)] A much larger expedition sailed from Hampton Roads on one of the last days of October. It consisted of more than fifty vessels--frigates, gunboats, transports, tugs, steam ferry-boats, and schooners--carrying twenty-two thousand men. The fleet was commanded by Flag-officer Samuel F. Du Pont, the troops by Gen. Thomas W. Sherman (who must not be confounded with Gen. William T. Sherman, famous for his march to the sea). The expedition had been two months in preparation, and though it sailed with sealed orders, and every effort had been made to keep its destination secret, the information leaked out as usual, and while it was on its way the Confederate Secretary of War telegraphed to the Governor of South Carolina and the commander at Hilton Head where to expect it. Bull's Bay, St. Helena, Port Royal, and Fernandina had all been discussed, and the final choice fell upon Port Royal. {70} [Illustration: BOMBARDMENT OF FORT WALKER, HILTON HEAD, PORT ROYAL HARBOR, S. C., BY UNITED STATES FLEET, NOVEMBER 7, 1861.]