Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-11-20
HIGHLY INTERESTING LETTER.

HIGHLY INTERESTING LETTER.
Httteras prisonsrs-thsir defence Of the Forts.
a. ISurrsnder-ierms of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Of
4 Cam Barroa- Yankee land de- . s'.,-r
The following interesting letter which We copy
from the Petersburg Express is from the pen Of one
of our released Hatteras prisoners, Mr.: Joseph d.
November 18th, 1851.
E4itors Of Express: Having seen frequent quota
tons in your paper and in the Day Book IN refer
conversations held with one or others OF my
brother prisoners, our return from Yankeedom,
| have concluded that perhaps, full statement OF
facts and opinions cleaned during our visit on the
unholy side of Jordan, may be read with interest
by Of you patrons.
During our soourn in New York, as prisoners Of
war, We were held in close and well-watched i'm
prsonment in Castle Williams on Governor Island.
Our officers, however, having more extended range
and liberal privileges were domciled in Fort Column
bus on the same island. We were enabled, through
the kindness Of many friends in the city, to pro-
cure anything that VIC might need to render our
unhappy condition as comfortable as the circum-
stances would permit We had frequent assurances
that friends many, and that we should
lack for nothing, if they should be permitted to ad-
min lister to our wants.
There has been evidently sotening Of feeling,
attended with demonstrations of kindness, towards
us and the cause represented Kindness and
deeds of charity manifested towards the Federal
prisoners in Richmond have been circulated through
the Northi IN papers with happy effect. We have
more than once been recipients Of donations from
the fathers mothers Of prisoners held such in
the South
We were assured that men OF influence and stand
ing using their utmost endeavors to bring about
a reaction aud change of sentiment. This is extern
sively felt, and is rpening into rebellion. The
greatest anxiety was felt from the consequences
that might arise from the slip Of the blockade by
Messrs. Mason and Slide Three steamers were
sent immediately in search Of them. From the same
learn that all circles anxious to bring
about full exchange of prisoners.
Being frequently asked the terms on which we
were released | will give them as follows I" do
Soemny affirm that will not take up arms against
the United States assist in any way in carrying
on warfare against the government until we are by
the laws of civil warfare exchanged and thereby
freed from this obligation" We who have taken
this Obligation were invads or wounded men and
unfit for further service.
Of the dsloyalty, diSaffcction and treachery that
exists in the enemys camp there is positive evidence.
| will give only few instances and leave your read
ers to draw their own conclusions. While at the
RIP RapS Fort Calhoun, the report Of the Lees
burg fight was received and with it that all the
captains of the *TaInmany Regiment were killed.
This Was readily accounted for by one of the New
York Volunteers, who said that he knew the regi-
nent and had been with the men IN encampment
and on marches and confidently affirmed that these
captains were killed by their men, for they had
sworn to do So \ few days before the sailing of
the fleet train of powder found connected with
the magazine in Fortress Monroe and but for the
discovery and interrogation It would have blown up
part of the fort at least. This they charged upon
some of their men. Another instance is the
desertion of Mr. Hale, secretary to the commodore
of the expedition, taking with him the signals and
thereby delaying its departure for several days in
order to obtain new signals from Washington. This
circumstance gave rise to the Pawnees attempt on
the Potomac. Information was also received that
she was riddled and lad thrown her guns overheard
and has since been condemned. have mentioned
thu ms because they were topics of CONVEX
sation in the enemys camp.
There were twenty-sx Of the n. Y. volunteers
from one regiment on the Rip RapS, living IN an I'M
comfortable state Of Punishment for indugng in such
innocent amusement mating so common in the
Northern camps These men were almost destitute
Of clothing with only suticency OF food to sustain
life An adjustment Of the difficulties between the
two sections Of our country hoped for and expect
ed by all with whom have conversed on the sub
iect to he made at the assembling OF the Rump
Congress.
As some mention was made Of the traitor, G. II.
Fosters conversation with me, will state the par
ticuars. On entering the room he seemed to have
known that was there, as | was the only one Of
our number that had ever seen him before. To his
question of recognition, l sarcastically remarked
that had frequently met with him in our Demo-
cratic meetings Of HEREFORD in its conventions
He then wished to administer to my wants or me-
cessities pecuniarily or otherwise, which obSti-
nately refused, and assured him than abundance
awaited our arriva. in Dixie. His utimatum of im-
pudence soon followed gutteral eusion of eulogies
and deprecatons about the stars and stripes, and
the cause in which we were engaged; in Offering me
a position under the old Government. This pre-.
scented with all the asperty the circumstances would
admit demanding that he should not make an allu-
sion of the kind in my presence, and turned from
the traitor with contempt. Capt Leach, then in
command at the Fort who vas near and listening
with interest to what said severely reprimand-
ed him for asking improper questions, and lntimaed
| that their Government did not wish their armies
augmented with men like himself, who were traitors
to their own My object in calling the attention of
the press to this circumstance, is to confirm the pub
| lie mind that g. Ii. Foster is not only himself a
traitor to the cause he has sworn to protect, but
that he is using his utmost endeavors at every OPP
! purtunity, to induce others to follow his own in
| famous and traitorous course.
| NEW PICTURE OF THE BATTLE AT HATTERAs.
! The first day of the bombardment the line OF
battle ships were engaged with Fort Clark, and this
little battery of six guns, located near the edge OF
! the surf would have succeeded in keeping our ene-
mys ships beyond anchorage, and in that situation
they could have done US no material uanaSe' u Tue
guns had been in proper trim, and the fort supplied
with shot and she'll But will mention here that
there has come under my own observation but one
gun with proper attachments for regulating its ele-
vation and sighting, in all my stay on the coast
And through the neglect of some one our cannon
had not even been furnished with sights, the simple
invention Of the war Of 1912 that rendered our
non so effective during that struggle.
At one o'clock the gunners Of this little fort had
discharged their last cartridge and ceased firing
So soon as this was discovered by the enemy they
hove to and fired in a shower of shot and shell toe
great for men in defenceless condition to Withstand
After spiking their cannon, they retreated to Fcri
Hatteras. 4 portion of the feet then went up the
beach, and prepared to land FIVE thousand men,