They then signalled the fort, announcing their arrival.

There was a colored man in the fort who had been there before and who understood these signals.

He informed General Terry what reply he should make to have them come in, and Terry did as he advised.

The vessels came in, their officers entirely unconscious that they were falling into the hands of the Union forces.

Even after they were brought in to the fort they were entertained in conversation for some little time before suspecting that the Union troops were occupying the fort.