Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-09-05
Correspondence of the Richmond Examiner.
PORTSMOUTH,. Aup. 30


Tie Yankees are unquestonably at work the coast
of North Carolina. Information to this effect re-
ceived in Portsmouth Wednesday afternoon but in form
questionable that your correspondent deemed 1t best
to await future advices. These to hand yesterday
in a semi-ocal shape though now it is not posi-
BILE to furnish particulars All we know is that the
naval expedition which left Hampton Roads last Tues
day has reached the coast of North Carolina, and
ceeded in landing troops at several points 1t assert
ed with confidence by parties who are entitled to Gre
dence that Roanoke Island held by the invaders and
that the Confederate works erected at Hatteas Inlet
have been battered down, and forces compelled to
retreat from its defence. If these things confirmed
fully the enemy have gained advantage over US which
it will not be easy to repair, if they show pluck 10
auoke Island commands some of the most important in
lets of the Old North State and reputedly can be made
OF use by the Llncones in preventing the prosecution
of that commercial intercourse which has heretofore
since the blockade been invaluable to the South.
But, at the eleventh hour, the authorities here are
working with will and energy. Yesterday General Hu-
ger sent forward by steamers, four companies of the
| Sd Georgia Regiment, Col. Wright, and this morning
the remaining six corps left the Burke Guards, Capt
Musgrove: Brown Rifles, Captain Nlsbet Dawson
Greys, Capt. New barter; Home Guards, Capt. Reid
| Governors Guards, Capt. Griffin Wilkinson Rifles,
Capt. Beall Confederate Guards, Capt Walker
| Young Guard, Capt. Lee Davis Musketeers, Captain
! Cone and Athens Guards, Capt. Bilups.
OF course, the authorities of the invaded State are
i cooperating with in this matter, and it may
the Federalists will fad their trick of practical ad
vantage. Their strength five thousand, landed which
is, perhaps all the force they spare from Fortress
Monroe, and certainly We send troops enough
with adequate means, to dsOdge the rascals
But, whatever may be the eventual result OF the
flict of arms which is certain in that direction
blame deep and damning must attach those who
had coDhded TO them the defence OF that impOrtau
locallty-the Military Board of tie North Caroline
Convention-that is if the report that not gun hat
been placed IN position is true Warning upon warn
Il ing had been sounded from this quarter and elsewhere
with respect to the designs of the Yankees and ! an
told that ordnance and engineers ordered and sen
there two months since However, our only hope nov
through vigorous and vel! directed measures to expe
them before they have had opportunity to throw up de
eDsive works 1t delay, in three weeks it will re
pure small army to disodge them, besides involving
f heavy sacrifice OF life.
It rumoured that so far the Confederate loss is con
siderable in the way OF the capture OF number OF thoS
small boats, whether tugs privateers is not stated
Of prisoners the enemy said to have made three hun
dred mostly of unarmed parties
Such are the elements of news floating about in on
city, and you may imagine that the excitement is no
' confined to any class in the community.
Q They furnished you such-nOt as ascertane
facts. Much of these stories is unquestOnably true
but when the vapOur clears away there will doubtless
something to modify. One who, until recently, was en-
gagged the coast defenoes OF sister State has jus
expressed to the belief that Hateras Inlet the
y point at which they have thus far obtained any foot
h hold but Offering insight into the miserable mar
agement of affairs in North Carolina aterly this sam
It authority alleges that at of the ort6catons wher
e fifteen gun battery had been planned and completed
detachments of only two companies had been satione
and they unused to such artillery service
} ~ to be able to distinguish between a ramrod and
caisson. Pretty condition Of things for the Mitar
$ Board to have tolerated.
j. From below we have nothing neV,-everythng is az
paently quiet. This may be attributable to the heav
army Indeed, if except their exercises at and e.
perments with their guns of heavy cabe, they do nc
i appear to be employed Until yesterday we were res
Il ing in the confident expectation that attack wou
be made here the present week, but usual, fo
v have preferred low cunning to open warfare.
n SEABOARD.