Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-10-18
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We copy the New Y FORK Herald correspond
cnts account Of the affair at Cape IIattcras,
which, - the facts are developed. looms up
az one of the most important achievements
Of the wsr--one which will have a discour-
aging effect upon the rebels on the coast Of
North Caroin..
" On the morning Of the 4th inst, about
daylight, the lookOut, Of Col. Browns en-
eAmpment. consisting oG about eight hundred
men Vt the Twentieth Indiana regiment, loo
ated some thirty miles above this place. re-
ported xix rebel steamers. with schouners and
hatbosts in tow, all loaded with troops, COM
ing out Of CroItsn Sound and steering
straight Tor the encampment. There was no
time ~ lost, for it was evident their numbers
I 'crc too gtcat 10 resist without artillery, sup
ported a. they wuuid be 10y the guns of the
steamers. The Colonel Immediately dispatch
I'd courier to inform Col. Hawkins. at Fort
hsttsis', Of his situation, stating that he
would reuea, TO the lighthouse on the Cape
and there make stand.
The steamers landed about fifteen hundred
pen three miles above Col Brown, and then
came on down. throwing shells into the tents.
destroying them, also a house which had been
used a. a hospital, killing what sick remained
therein. They then pzssed ON dawn and
commenced landing troops below, intending
to cut of all retreat, and having them be-
tween their two forces, make sure. no doubt.
of basSing Col. Brown aud his men at their
leisure. But they we're not quick enough /;
for Col. d. hastily destroyed what be could
not carry OF with him, and left on the doub-
lequick, and succeeded in reaching the light
house about nine in the evening, having per-
formed rapid march through the heavy
sand.
Col. Hawkins upon receiving information
from Col. Is. dispatched mote to Capt. Lard
ner OF the ouWuchanna, informing him Of the
condition OF affairs. and then started on the
double quick with six companies OF his I1u-
ayes 10 reinforce the retrcdting troops. Capt
L. Immediately got 'hc Susquehanna under
way. at the same time ordering the Monticel-
10 to do the same, and proceeded up aud am
chored in Lighthouse cove, about O'Clock in
the evening. within half gunshot Of the
light
When daylight broke the troops on shore
and the sailors were within speaking distance
Of each other. Col. Browns troops had not
eaten anything since the previous morning,
which fact being made known to Capt Lard
ner, he Immediately supplied them with pro-
visions. Al the request OF Col. Hawkins,
Capt J.. remained az anchor to protect tho
troops against such superior numbers as were
supposed to be in pursuit OF them. He at
the same time ordered the Monticello TO dou-
bic Cape Hstteras, and proceed close along
the shore. and sec If he could discover any
traces OF the enemy. lie had proceeded but
a short distance when the rebels we're discoy-
cred in full plume aud within half gunshot I;
the Monticello opened fire on them at once
with shells that exploded with the utmost pre-
cisiou, scattering them in all directions, kill
ing aud woanding them By hundreds. rho
enemy consisted Of one regiment Of Virgin
iaus. the seventh Georgia and about twelve
handr-d North Carolina militia, making to-
tai of about three thousand men, under the
command Of Gen. Huger, who, it is said was
killed At the commencement Of the Smelling
process. Lieut.. commanding Braine says
that he expended to their account two nun
dred and eighteen shells, every one Of which
did good service Two schooncrs and two
HAT boats loaded with troops, which had not
vet landed. or clse had Just re-embarked for
their return. were entirely destroyed by the
explosion Of The shells thrown into them.
killing and wounding all on board. A shell
entered the side Of one Of the schooners, and
ANfh E1Dioufus UitluE the hT Win fragments
OF the wreck and limbs of human beings. 1t
is considered a. being within bounds to say
that at least Ave hundred we're either killed
or wounded. Hundreds of the rebels were
seen to wade out into the Sound up to their
neckI, and when they would hear a shell
coming they would crouch down under the
water. and remain as long az they could, and
then poke up their heads and listen for the
approach Of the next messenger OF death, and
r-pest the operation. A more perfect trap
could not we'll have been arranged for their
destruction. The belt Of land where they
were discovered is not more than third Of a
mile wide, aud separates PamicO Sound from
the ocean. Their steamers attempted to come
in clo.e enough to take them off; but shell
or two sent piowing after them induced them
10 keep at sa(c distance, aud their troops
were Lot to their fate. As soon night set
in, the Monticello ceased firing. During tho
night they mu.t have embarked, as the fol-
lowing morning discovered no traces OF their
presence.
We are all much pleased at the arrival Of
Gen MsusGlid, who has taken commtnd.
aud started uut Il deiaohment Of troops 80
project the lighthouse. the rebels having
threatened TO blow it up. If there is any de-
partmcnt where a regular bred United States
army officer is required 20 manage affairs, this
is the place. and Gen Mansfield was not APP
pointed a moment too soon.