The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-21 00:00:00

" W. BETEHOUT THOMPSON,

" Chief Engineer of North Carolina Coast Defence.
"N.B.—Would it not be well to sending engineers
to this command to direct them to report to me ?
" Colonel S. A. J. Bradford. g, W. B. T."
The following discloses the fact that the commu-
nication by sea between Norfolk and Pamlico Sound
was at that date uninterrupted, and gives the plan
also for the armament of Fort Hatteras :

"Fort Hatteras, June 17.
"Dear Sir,—A fore and aft schooner arrived here
to-day from Norfolk, with 18 naval gun carriages
and fixtures, 430 321 b. shot, and some handspikes.
I took nine of the carriages, all the shot, as they
were much needed, and sent the balance to Ocracoke,
These naval carriages, as you well now, are not at all
suited for fortifications. The gun is carried so low
that it is impossible to raise a parapet to protect the
men, and to construct embrasures would destroy the
field of fire, as it is necessary not only to command
the bar, but the channel of approach. They require
15 to 16 men to work them, which is a great ex-
posure of human life, when the barbette carriages
require only five to six.
" I had hoped from the tenour of your last letter
that barbette carriages would be sent from Nor-
folk. I would respectfully suggest that the agent
at Norfolk be directed to send no more of the navy
carriages. What we have can be used to advantage
afloat, and therefore will be found useful. They
might, on an emergency, be used in a detached bat-
tery. Give orders to Howard to complete and for-
ward to Hatteras without delay 18 barbette car-
riages, two for the eight-inch seacoast howitzers,
-r tizh aat gun, the dimensions o f which I have given
him, wad. 16 carriages for he avy 32-pound gune.
Before I left Fort Morgan 1 act I got a plan of
some cremate carriages to z count the 30-pound
carrona deb on
"311 of which i cached the fort some

r time ago. They will throw half a peck of canister
or grape, and sweep the beach. I left the drawing
with Howard, and directed. him to make the carriage.
The captain of the vessel which brought the gun
carriages says that the heavy 30-pound guns lately
shipped from Norfolk are bound for Port Morgan
and Newborn. He must be mistaken, as you wrote
me some were bound for this fort. I think it im-
portant that we should have at least one columbiad
to place on the coupi commanding the bar and
the sea front up to the encampment. I will reserve
that platform for such a gun until I hear farther
from you.

The frames you spoke of in your last letter as
necessary have already been anticipated. The plans
you refer to shall be made out at the earliest pos-
sible moment.--Yours respectfully,
" W. BETERHOUT THOMPSON,
" Chief of the North Carolina Coast Defence.

"P.S.—Send fuses, sabots, and have you ordered
the copper guns from Norfolk to suit the shell
sent ? W. B. T.
" Brigadier-General Walter Gwynn."

" Fort Hatteras; June 17.
" My dear Sir,—Fort Hatteras is beginning to as-
sume the appearance of a respectable fortification.
The sand is kept continually in motion on this bald
sandbeach by the strong wind which prevails here,
and the work would be levelled in turn as fast as
it could be put in shape, were it not that I was for-
tunate in finding, about three-quarters of a mile up
the island, some marshes, from which I obtained a
good sod to rivet the work with and hold the sand
in place. I have been very much annoyed with
the naval gun carriages sent from Norfolk, which
are, no doubt, well adapted to war steamers when
they have port holes to fire through, but which are
not at all adapted to fortifications, as they carry the
gun so low as to render it impossible to raise a para-
pet of sufficient height to protect the men who work
the guns. If I were to construct embrasures for
them the field of fire would be entirely too limited,
as it is necessary not only to command the bar, but
the channel of approach. I would therefore re-
spectfully urge that Marshal Parks be directed to
send no more of them. The barbette carriages re-
quire only 5 to 6 men to work them, and are in-
finitely superior when the naval carriages cannot
be worked• with less than 15 to 16 men, which is an
unnecessary expense of human life, especially as it
is difficult to protect them by a breastwork. The
barbette carriages are in Newbern, and can be made
as soon as the iron can be procured for them. The
naval carriages will be useL afloat.—Yours respect-
fully. " W. BEVERHOUT THOMPSON,
Chief of the Engineers, North Carolina coast.

" Col. W. Winslow, President Military Board."
The following gives an account of an engagement
between Fort Hatteras and one of our war steamers,
which we are not sure has hitherto been reported :
"REBEL ACCOUNT OF A FIGHT WITH A UNITED

STATES STEAMER.

" Fort Hatteras, July 14.

Colonel,—Since my arrival at this fort I have re-
ceived a correct account of the action on Wednes-
day last between the United States steamer and this
fort, from my principal lieutenant, Mr. Allen, who
took an active part in it, which is briefly as follows :
The steamer was a 42-gun steamer having 21 guns
on each side. She was seen about 11 o'clock a.m.,
east south-east from the fort, standing in to near the
breakers. When within one mile and a half of the
fort she traced the breakers down towards the in-
let. Feeling certain that her intentions were hos-
tile and thatshe had 19 guns run out, as soon as she
uncovered the encampment Mr. Allen let her have
a 32 pound shot, when she immediately displayed
the stars and stripes from her mizen peak. He
then directed a shot from one of our 8-inch howit-
zers, both shots falling short. She returned the
fire with an 11-inch Dahlgren gun. The shell ex-
ploded 300 yard from our battery, one of the frag-
ments falling into it, and another passing over it.
Nobody hurt. Returned shots were made from both
sides, until some nine shots were exchanged. The
remainder of her shot and shell all fell short of our
battery. After the ninth shot from one of our 8-
inch howitzers there was great excitement on board
the steamer. And a man was seen lowered on her
side. She immediately lowered her flag, hoisted
her jib sail, and stood off. Two persons at dif-
ferent points say that they saw the shot strike her
but why sbe hauled down her flag I do not under-
stand. If I get the Columbiad we can give them a
128 pound shot, which will be apt to do their busi-
i ness effectually. We want percussion caps for the
troops. I write in haste,
" Yours respectfully,
" W. BEVERHOLT THO3IPSON,
" Chief Engineer, Coast Defences.

" Colonel Warren Winslow, Military Secretary."

Lieutenant Biggs, of the Roanoke Guard, com-
menced a letter to his father on the 22d of August.
It had reached to about eight pages when
captured. The last postscript is as follows :
August 27, the day of the attack. A court-mar-
tial is being held over D. L. Williams to-dayfor going
to sleep on guard. The very first time he stood guard
after coming back from home, which was about a
*week, he went to sleep. He has been in arrest ever
since. In all probability by to-night or to-morrow
the rattle of musketry and roar of cannon will be
heard here. Old Abe has waited long, but at last
has come, and one would suppose with the deter-
mination to break up this hornet's nest' at Hatte-
ras. A large ship has been in sight about eight
miles off all day. There are now four in sight, and
an islander, who belongs to Capt. Cahoon's com-
pany, has just come down, stating that ten large
war steamers are in sight, and so close that he could
see all the surf boats for landing men, and said they
commence landing troops very soon. I have sent
pickets out. There are 11 ships now in sight, the
Adelaide among them, and as full of men as she can
stick. Our men are now laid off and practising on
the cannon. One steamer has come in a mile off the
shore. She first turned her left side and then her
right side to us, as though she intended to give us
a broadside, or was bantering us to fire ; but no
doubt she came to reconnoitre, and has now gone
back to report."
Here the letter stops, and if his father can obtain
the Herald he may have the benefit of this portion
of the letter of his son, who will be as much asto-
nished to read his own unfinished letter in the
Herald upon his arrival at New York as were the
rebel commanding officers at being told by General
Butler upon their first conference all about the
court-martial that was being held at the moment
when the fleet began the attack.
After the smaller fort had been silenced a boat
was sent ashore with Mr. Fiske, Aid to Gen. But-
ler, who swam through the breakers to convey to
Col. Weber's command the orders of the General
and information of the intended movements of the
fleet. Upon entering the redoubt called Fort Clark
he seized upon the books and papers found there ;
among them are official documents, and the
letter-books of the commanding officers. Mr. Fiske
out
dinto this package upon his shoulders and swam
the only boat thooaentnweartaaslt,lhewefthmsueoawmwaeosnrttthhnoyaf,
tos
going
a toW ahrernanthgee
informed
r carried ioefd
wnthaetmwa
mtheeetaipnpge appearance eehoefl
dtheonfleetth
effll,tlhienninelseott.
termsa st
oni
sohfe cda p iattu I at thi
eo n ,
atehc e rebel
n rratee officers
information
were
of utterly
the
howand h
we
hk
on knew
sw ht
ha
et
tGheenye rwa
el ,r
eand °
iinngquaiiree dd
ay anxiouslybefore,
person among them to whom
signals
from the fleet. The General simplyliadrebpeleiendmthadaet
he possessed means of accurate information.
Colonels Max, Weber, and
Hawkins were left in
charge of the fortifications.
Among the books brought off
by Mr. Fiske was
the letter-box of W. S. G. Andrews,
Major,com-
manding Fort Hatteras and dependencies,
From
the following extracts of official reports it will be
seen that Pamlico "Sound was a regular nest of
pirates, and that prizes were daily carried
in there
by the rebel privateers. These reports show there
great importance of having this key to the Albe-
marle in our possession :
" Head-quarters, Camp 'Hatteras, July 22.
" Governor,—ln obedience to the instructions of
the Department of Military and Naval Affairs of
date of July 16, 1861, I proceeded immediately to
this port, and took command on the 20th,
"Thomas H. Allen has taken charge of the Ord-

nance Department, but owing to bad weather has
not made a detailed report.
" Our Medical Department has no arrangement ;
the sick are scattered all over the fort, in tents, in
vessels, in huts, and in the bomb proofs of the
fort. The surgeon reports the sickness existing
as arising from bad tents. Let me urge that the
tents directed to be sent me be forwarded imme-
diately. 15 per cent. of the force is reported sick.
The Quartermaster's department is placed in the
hands of Capt. L. L. Clements, with special and
full instructions. He has discharged several vessels
lying here on charter for the State, and entered
upon his duties with an energy and judgment which
promise well. I inclose herewith a copy of my in-
structions to Capt. Clements.

"The Commissary has on hand supplies for about
25 days. When I arrived here I found the bark
Linwood a wreck near the camp. She came on shore
with 6,000 bags of coffee on board, of which only 129
have come under my care, some of which is damaged.
I desire particulars and instructions on the sub-
ject of wrecks.

" The wreck master here asserts that the com-
mander of the troops took the control of the wreck
out of his hands, and that he could, with his
wreckers, have saved at least 1,000 bags: There
seems to have been a strife for salvage, which had
like to have resulted in the loss of the whole of a
wreck, with at least 250,000 dole. The laws seem
to be plain on the subject; but the law being
enacted for a state of peace, and a state of war ex-
isting, I should like to know what my duty is. My
opinion is that in cases of wrecked property be-
longing to an enemy the State occupies the place
of the merchant, owners, or underwriters, and
after salvage and the wreck masters' commissions
have been taken, the State takes charge of the re-
sidue as the property of an enemy. The arms found
in the wreck have been tranaferrod to tho nrrinunCo
offider. The prisoners have been sent to Newbern,
together with Capt. Campbell, of the wreck Lydia
Francis, and delivered to Gen. Gwynn. Among the
prisoners was a negro belonging to Bridgeport,
Eonnecticut, who I found had been put to labour on
the works, having been here as long as Captain
Campbell, to whose vessel he belonged—say about
three months. I have thought it but just to send
him to Newbern, to go with his captain, wherever
sent. The instruments and private property of the
officers have also been sent to headquarters.
" Two war steamers have been near our camp to-
day, one within short range, bat did not fire upon
us. Lieut. Robarta, of the Navy, is still on the Albe-
marle. Will you order him on other service, as we
have no need of him in a transport steamer ?

" Very truly yours,
" W. L. G. ANDREWS, Major Commanding.
" His Excellency Henry Clark."

" Head-quarters, Camp Hatteras, July 23.

" Governor,—Hatteras lighthouse is a traitor to
the State, offering aid and comfort to the enemy,
while to the cruisers which are now sailing out of
this port and the coasting and West India trade it
is of little advantage. They all know the coast so
well they do not need the lighthouse. By day
Hatteras can be seen from sea 40 miles, thus warn-
ing all merchantmen away out of reach of our pri-
vateers and navy vessels, while the men-of-war of
the enemy use it as a centre around which they
move. If it was removed none but those accus-
tomed to this port could enter, and no other in these
times will attempt it, and the coast will present no
prominent object.
" Very respectfully yours,
" W. L. G. ANDREWS, Major Commanding
Fort Hatteras and Appendencies and Dependencies.
" His Excellency Henry Clark."

"Head-quarters, Camp Hatteras, July 24.

" Governor,—Another war steamer is near us this
morning, one that has never been here before. From
the activity of the enemy's steamers, I presume the
blockade is to be enforced if possible. We sent
three schooners out for the West Indies last night
in the gale, and they are no doubt far to the east of
the Gulf Stream by this time.
" Very truly and respectfully yours,

"W. L. G. ANDREWS, Major Commanding
Fort Hatteras."
"To his Excellency Henry Clark."

" Head-quarters, Camp Hatteras, July 27.

I _
" Governor,—Since my last report we have been
successful in getting four guns mounted in Fort
Clark, which places us in a position to defend our
camp on the sea side from attacks of the land side.
I have not yet commenced the lines, and have to
rely on our 6-pounders and musketry from the
beach, the sand hills, and bushes, to repel attacks.
" I send you enclosed the morning report of the
force here of this date, by which you will see that
we have a total of only 223 effective men. It takes
84 men to man the channel battery at Fort Hatte-
ras for one relief, and 64 men to man Fort Clark
with one relief, leaving me only 75 men to defend
the beach, furnish guards, pickets, &c., and relieve
the two posts when exhausted.

" Our privateers are very busy. The privateer
Gordon brought into our port yesterday the brig
M‘Gilvery, of Maine, with 315 tierces and hogs-
heads of molasses; and the privateer Florida cap-
tured a brig laden with machinery, which she had
to run on shore to escape recapture.—Yours very
truly, " W. L. G. ANDREWS, Major,
Commanding Fort Hatteras and Dependencies.
" To his Fxcellency Henry Clark."

" MORNING REPORT OF THE OFFICER OF THE DAY,

" Head-quarters, Camp Hatteras, July 26.
" Report commencing July the 25th, 8 o'clock
a.m. Came off o'clock a.m., July 26. Camps in
good condition, the weather being very pleasant.
The privateer York returned at 10 o'clock a.m.,
July 25, with 10 prisoners taken on board of a brig,
Charles A. French, master; Daniel Jackson, first
mate ; Blank Gibson, second mate ; John Smith,
John Cross, John Boyd, Sam. Clause•, John Welch,
and W. H. Smith ; and John Hurst cook. They
were delivered to me by Major Andrews, and com-
fortable quarters were furnished them, as Quarter-
master L. L. Clements and the guard performed
their duty with creditable respect.

" J. A, WHITLEY, Officer of the Day."

" Had-quarters, Camp Hatteras, Aug. 2.
" Governor,—Since my last the privateer steamer
Mariner has brought into this port as a prize the
schooner Priscilla, of Baltimore, from Curacoa,
with 600 bushels of salt. I had some doubt as to
the legality of the prize, but having seen that Bal-
timore vessels laden with coffee had been seized in
the mouth of the Chesapeake, and sent to New
York as prizes, I ordered her to Newbern to-day.
The Winslow has a large brig at the bar laden with
sugar and molasses,and the Gordon has two schooners
coming over the bar now. The Mariner has taken
a schooner into Ocracoke, and is now in pursuit of
another. These will all be fully reported as soon as
the captains report to me. lam doing all I can to
prevent the news of captures spreading, but so long
as the crews are sent up to Newbern immediately
it cannot be prevented. Your despatch through the
Adjutant-General's office of 27th inst. is received.
" The directions of Capt. Barron with regard to
Hatteras lighthouse will be followed. You did not
direct me what to do in regard to the coffe. lam
trying to save the copper on the bark Linwood, and
will await your order how to dispose of it. I sup-
pose it is needed to make percussion caps.—Yours
very respectfully,
‘
" Major Commanding FoltWliaStieGra.sAaNnDdßYerpsen-
dencies.
" His Excellency ITenry Clark."

" Head•quarters Camp Hatteras, Aug. 8.
" Sir,—Since my last report to the Governor the
following captures have been made by the steamer
Winslow and privateers. The steamer Winslow and
the privateers captured the brig Itaska on Sunday
last, cargo about 500 hhds. of malado sugar and
molasses. The steamer Gordon, on the same day,
captured the schooner Henry Nutt, of Philadelphia
loaded with mahogany and logwood ; also the
schooner Sea Witch, of New York, loaded with
fruit. The crews of these vessels were sent to New-
!Dern and delivered to the mayor, no marshal being
there to take charge of them. It is impossible to
prevent information of these captures reaching the
public prints, when passengers, officers, and crows