Correspondence of the American

Hilton Head, Port Royal
South Carolina, Nov. 28

Dear American : Although we had an order more than a week ago to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a moment’s notice, we have not “budged an inch” since. The story in camp is that we have been ordered to leave to-morrow, but l am not certain about it. We are not allowed to know where we are going, but it is said to be not over one day’s sail. I hope it will not be far, for I am heartily sick of “steaming it o’er the main.”

I have nothing very particular to write you for news. Everything seems to be moving on to the completion of the defence of this island. Hundreds of men are continually throwing up entrenchments and fortifications. It is said that “Jeff.” says “he will have this island in his hands again, if it takes every man he can raise.” It will take every man he can raise, and then “he will not be able to re-take it. Gen. Sherman says: “Give me two weeks more, and I will defy all he can bring against me.” We have no idea that an effort will be made to regain what they have lost here. Yesterday, our gunboats “let loose their dogs of war,”” on a small place, about six miles from here, where a number of rebels had made their appearance. I understand they scattered in “double quick” time. We distinctly heard the booming of the cannon here. It is of no use for them to come prying into our affairs, to get information in regard to our proceedings, in order to report to their rebel chief, because “argus eyes’’ are upon them—our pickets are stationed at every corner and loophole, ready and most willing to give the alarm on the instant any appearance of their “ugly phizes,” becomes manifest.