Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-09-11

Martin, furnished by him, oi the ths OH
GERS and men captured by US.
The position Of the Fort is an exceeding.
IL stiong one, nearly surrounded on all
sides ty water, and only to be approach
vd by n march of five hurdred yards cir
cautiously over long neck of land, within
half musket range, and over n couseway
:, few feet only in width, and which was
commanded by two thrty-two pound
guns loaded with grape and canister
which were expended in our salute "
has a well protected magazine and bomb
proor, capable OF shetering some three
hundred or four hundred men. The par
apet was nearly OF octagon form, enclosing
about two.thirds of sn acre OF ground,
well covered with sufficient traverscs and
ramparts and parapets, upon which our
shells had made but little impression. -
The larger work nearer the inlet was
known as Fort iIa;tcrus. Fort Clark,
which was about seven hundred yards
ror;herly, is square redoubt, mounting
five guns, and two siX-poundcrs The
enemy had spiked those guns, but in Il
very inefficient manner, upon abandon
ing the fort the day before.
had all the troops on shore at the
time Of the surrender OF the forts but
re>embarkoa the regulars and the mar
mes. Finding it impossible without de-
lay oil the fleet, which could not be ejustlti,
cd under the state Of things at Fortress
Monroe, and owing to the threatening
appearance of the weather, | disembark-
Cd the provisions, making with the pro-
visions captured about five days, ratlons
for the use of the troops.
On consultation with Flag Officer String.
ham and Commander Stellwagen, de
termined to leave the troops and hold
the Fort because of the strength 0: the for
tlication, its importance, and because. if
again in possession of the enemy with a
sufficient armament, the very great diths
Guilty of its capture, until l could get
some farther instructions from the gov
crnment.
Com. Stringham directs the steamers
Monticello and Pawnee TO remain IN
side. and these, with the men in the forts,
are sufficient to hold the position against
any force which is likely, or indeed posi-
ble, TO be sent against it. The impor>
lance of the point cannot be overrated,-
When the channel is buoyed out any ves-
SCI may carry fifteen feet of water over ii
with ease. Once inside, there is safe
harbor and anchorage III all weathers.-
From there the whole coast OF Virginia
and North Carolina, ON Norfolk to Cape
Lookout, is within our reach by light
draught vessels, which cannot possibly
live at sea during the winter months
From it offensive operations may be made
upon the whole coast of North Carolina
TO Bogue Inlet, extending many miles in
land 10 Washington, Newbern and Beau
fort. Ia the language of the Chief En-
gineer of the rebels, Col, Thompson in an
official report, it is the key OF the Abe
mario. In my judgement it is station
second in importance only to Fortress
Monroe on this coast. As depot tor
coalirg and supplies for the blockading
squadron, it is invaluable. As har
me Nor Our coastiug trade, or inlet from
Winters storm, or from pirates, it is
"A drst importance. BY holding it,
proHerS light may again send forth its
letter wrray to the storm beaten mariner,
ters to "sthe worse than vandalism Of the
lish the dtprives him. 1t has but one
ION ond want of water-but that a.
,oror,s beo,le one now in operation at
Fortt ~ anroe, at cost ct few huns
dred dolltnnIo will relieve.
Iappend ~ this report tabular state
,nent of the y tizes which have been taken
into that inlet within few days, 'compi-
led from the o aicial documents captured
w:Sb the fort. j add hereto on official re-
port or the Chief Engineer Of the coast
defences OF The i,ebela. Please find also
appended statement Of the arms and
munitions of war captured with the fort
as nearly as they can b. aseertained.
While all have done all, | desire to
speak in terms Of especial con mendation,
in addition to those before mentioned, of
the steadiness and cool courage Of Col,
Max Weber, who we were obliged to .eave
in command of detac ,lment Of three
hundred mon on strange coast, without
camp equipage or possibility of aid in the
face of an enemy six hundied strong, on
q dark and stormy night; of Lieutenant
Colonel Weiss, who conducted recon
uoissance of twenty men; of the daring
and prompt etlici tncy Of Captain Nixon,
OF the coast guard, who, with his men, ,oc.
cupied Fort Clark during the first
night. although dismantled, in the face of
an enemy of unknown numbers.
| desire to commend to your attention
Captain JGcdine, of the New Y Ork Ninth,
who was left in command of the detnchm.
ent of his regiment when the unfortunate
casually to the Harriet Lane prevented
Col. Hawkins from landing.
Permit me to speak of the efficiency of
the regulars under Lieutenant Larned,
y ho worked zealously IN aiding to land
their comrades of the volunteers, overs
whelned with the rolling surf.
desire especially to make acknowl.
edgements 10 Messrs. Wiegel and Duri
cage, volunteer aids, who planted the
American flag upon Fort Clark on the
second morning, to indicate to the feet
its surrender, and to prevent the further
wasting of shells upon it--a service of
great danger from the fire of their own
friends.
mako honorable mention Of Young
Fiske, who risked his life among the
breakers, being thrown on shore, to con.
vey my orders to the troops landed, and
b to apprise them Of the movements and
iplnptinpc nf tho naai