The weekly Butte record., 1861-09-21
The Capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark

Inc nrst important movement or engage
ment of the Navy, was the capture of Fort:
Hatteras and Clark, at Hatteras Inlet. The
following account OF the affair is from the
details of news published in the Union. The
Tribune's Washington correspondence Of Sept
lst says:
The fleet arrived off Hatteras on Wednesday
Two iorts had been erected by the rebels, com
mandlng the inlet which commands the en-
/ trance to Pamlico and Albemarl Sounds The
forts replied TO our incessant fire but without
much damage. After eight hours cannona-
ding, the flag on Fort Clark was hauled down,
and the rebels retreated to the other fort
Our forces soon occupied the abandoned fort,
hosting the stars and stripes At l1:30 our
shells were beginning to play on the magazine,
when the rebels hoisted white flag Gen.
Butler refused to accede to any terms except an
unconditional surrender, which was at last
accepted. Barron delivered his sword to
Commodore Stringham, and other officers
theirs to Gen. Butler. One thousand six hun
dred stands of arms, twenty five cannon, five
| hundred knapsacks, and large quantity of
munitions were captured. Nobody on our
side was hurt. -Four hundred rebels had rein
forced the forts the night previous to the
attack. On Thursday forenoon q steamer with
one thourand reheis approached, but was kept
away by our forces in Fort Clark Col Max
Weber was placed IN command of Fort Hat
teras, and Col. Hawkins in Fort Clark. A
portion of the fleet remains there. Several i'm
portant books and papers were captured, dis
closing the plans of the rebels
The official accounts Of General Butler give
very minute particulars of the expedition and
engagements, but presents no new features
He says Fort Hatteras mounted ten guns and
four unmounted also one large ten-inch Co.
lumbiad ready for mounting. The position of
the fort is an exceedingly strong one, nearly
surrounded by water, and only to be approach
ed by march of 800 yards, circuitousy, over
q neck of sand, within half musket range. and
over a caseway only few feet in width, which
was commanded by two cannon, loaded with
grape and canister. Fort Clark, which is
about 100 yards northerly is a square redoubt,
mounting five guns and two 6-poanders. The
enemy had spiked these guns, but in very in
effectual manner, upon abandoning the fort the
day before.
Gen. Butler says: On consultation with
Flag Officer Stringham and Commander Stel-
linger, determined to leave troops and hold
the forts, because of the strength of the fortif-
cations and their Importance, and because if
again in possession of the enemy with sufli-
cient armament, Of the difficulty of recapturng
it. The Importance Of the point cannot be
overrated From there the whole coast of
Virginia aud North Carolina, from Norfolk to
Cape Lookout, is within our reach by light
draught vessels, which cannot possibly live at
sea during the Winter months. From it often
sve operations may be made upon the whole
coast of North Carolina to Bogue Inlet ex-
tending many miles inland to Washingt ton,
Newbern and Beaufort. In the language of
the Chief Engineer of the rebels in an official
report, it is the key of the Albemarle.' Inmy
judgment, it is q station second in Importance
only to Fort Monroe On this coast is depot
for cavalry and supplies for the blockadng
squadron. 1t is invaluable as harbor for our
coasting trade, Or inlet from the Winter storm,
or from pirates. 1t is of the first Importance
BY holding it, Hatteras light may again send
forth a cheering ray to the storm beaten
mariner"
NNur>- H. G., cLo,,-, bo