Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-09-04
The Hatteras Affair,

forts Hdtterds and Clark taken-the sad fate Of
800 brace North Caroliniana
Inc worst rumors in connection with this tragical
affair, when our last paper went to press nave been
realized. Our brave soldiers from the Eastern part
OF the State have been shamefully sacrificed The
Federal fleet, composed of the steam war vessels,
Minnesota, Wabash, Cumberland Quaker City,
Harriet Lane, Anacosta, and Penguin; and the
transports Philadelphia, Express, Adelaide, Geor.
giana, and others, in all said to be fifteen vessels,
left Old Point on Monday the 26th August, for our
coast Some of the papers stated that the fleet hal
100 guns and 1000 men. We learn from gems.
tleman just from Richmond. that on Saturday last,
on the bulletin boards Of the Examiner, it was
stated that there were 49, 600 men, This formda-
BILE armament arrived off Hatteras Inlet on Tuesday
evening, and after accommodating commenced the
bombardment Of Forts Clark and Hatteras.
Hatteras Inlet is situated on what is called the
North Banks, six miles South of Cape Hatteras.
and about Is miles North of Ocracoke Inlet. These
Banks have been in existence from time mmemo-
rial, forming belt Of sand.hills from the Virginia
line to the Cape Fear River, ndented with inlets,
and separated from the main land, by Currituck,
Abemarle, Croatan, Pamlico, Core, Bogue and Top
sail Sounds-thcse sounds varying from one to for
ty miles wide. Hatteras, which is connected polit-
ically with Hyde Count" though separated from it
by Pamlico Sound, is thirty miles distant from the
main land of Hyde, and is ninety miles distant by
water from Washington, and about the same dis.
lance from Newborn. At the time the Federal feet
arrived at Hatteras Col Martini the recently elected
Colonel of the 4th regiment was in command, Mai.
Andrews, of Godsboro, commanding the batteries
From the data We have, the commander must have
had some twelve guns, eight at Fort Ilatteras, and
four at Fort Clark small battery recently erec-
ted, about three-fourths of mile Northeast of F.
llatteras. The guns were ali badly mounted, and
incapable of being worked to advantage. He must
have had one company from Elizabeth City, one
from Currituck, one or two from Martin, and per-
haps one from Camden.
Col. Martin dispatched messenger to Beacon
Island, for four other companies of his command,
which arrived there on Wednesday evening, viz:
The Washington Grays, Capt I. Sparrow, Tar
River Boys, from Pitt formerly commanded by 1t.
Col. johnson, the Hartford Light Infantry, Capt
Sharp and another whose name we have net
With this small force and an inefficient battery, he
determined to give the enemy battle. About the
time the action commenced, Com. Barron, COL
Bradford, and Maj. Andrews reached there from
Newbern We learn that Col. Bradford remarked
before leaving Newborn, that he knew the fort was
indeensibIe before strong force, but he intended
to defend ii or die in the attempt.
No of ho 40 nv 30
on Wednesday, and was continued until shutdown,
the two little batteries calamity replying to them
all day. At night the fleet seemed to haul off. We
had two or three small steamers lying in sight in
the Sound, ready to rescue our brave boys-the
whole force might have evacuated the forts on
Wednesday nisht-but they refused to leave, re-
solv ing to defend it to the last The resolve show
ed their patriotism and their courage, but it was an
error in judgment. No ore but consunmate block
head could even have expected or desired such an
attempt 10 be made by so feeble force aud such
Inefficient batteries against such fearful odds. But
the readiness with which cowardIy gas-men, who
never risk any thing themselves, denounce an act
of sheer prudence and wise forecaste to protect a
force against loss Of life, no doubt kept those noble
fellows there to suffer martyrdom. During the
night, the fleet landed from 600 to 1,5oO men
mile or two north of the Fort, which CIT off entire
ly all prospect of escape by way Of the banks
The bombardment was renewed ON Thursday NOR
ming at o'clock, with ten fold visor. Every means
| of protection to our men was soon demolished TIL,
guns of the steamers hailed shot and shell incessant
ly upon them, but our boys stood at their guns re
tuning the enemys shot the best they could. |
is believed several of the vessels we're struck bu
the superiority of the enemys guns enabled him t
keep off at good distance. Our companies stoo'
for hours and took the firehail. The little steamc
Gen. Hill had arrived, carrying munitions an
few additional men, but it was too late to al
ford relief Lieutenants Murdaugh and Knight wer
wounded and brought off, and some few escaped. =
On Wednesday the damage done to our forces wa
small but on Thursday it was severe. The frin
continued till IL o'clock, when Fort Hatteras su,
rendered; the guns OF Fort Clark having bee
silenced some time before and taken possession of
the enemy gentleman on board one of our littl
steamers who witnessed the bombardment, describe
it as being awfully terrific. When asked if taer
was any rain there at the time, he replied, mo
nothing but rain of hell-hre!'
The supposltion is-lor we have no certain info
nation as to what took place after the Fort surreI
dered-that our loss was 80 in killed and wounded
and that our entire force, consisting of seven {
eight companies surrendered with their officers, t.
gether with Com. Barron, Col. Bradford, Major Al
f drews, COL Martin, It. Col. johnson and Maj. Gi
liam. Many of the men and officers were our fir
Young men in the Eastern counties. Beaufort Pit
Martin, Washington, Hartford, Pasquotank and pc
haps Camden and Currtuck, are in mourning uo
deeply do We sympathize with them.
We learn that Beacon Island was evacuated Q
l Saturday morning, and that the federal fleet lie
Hatteras on Friday bound to the Southwark W
simply give these particulars as we heard them, b.
there is still mystery over this affair. We he'
r no mention made whatever of any attack of our ii
g fantry upon the infantry of the enemy.