Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-11-14

The place Becoming Untenable-Deplo-
rabic Condition of the Goth Indiana.
Correspondence OF the N. Y. Tiibuns.l
ie HArrERAs IStET. Nov. 9. 1861.

+ tae HATTERAs ISLET. Nov. 2, 1861.
The land forces at this point are now in
the midst of another engagement. which
is Of more serious character, than any
of the conflicts that have yet taken place
on this coast. 1t is a contest with the ele-
ments. A great dcluge is upon u.s. Last
evening gale sprang up. which continued
morning, when it assumed the form of a
perfect whirlwind, accompanied with rain,
which at times fell in torrents. About 3
o'clock this morning. the waves from tho
ocean began to sweep over the island (half
a mile wide) into the Sound. and before
day light these two bodies Of water were
united. Not a spot Of land was 20 be
seen. All the lower portions of the island.
where Forts Hatteras and Clark are situa-
ted, was under water. and so sudden was
the upheaving and SO violent the storm.
that all chances of escape were cut off before
the morning light came. 1t was impossi
bic for any assistance to reach them from
our feet, so terrible was this Hatteras
storm. And it was not until breaker
swept across the island, carrying men,
tents. shaniies. and every creeping thing
with it. that the soldiers were aware Of the
presence of great food. Men were sud-
denly washed ont of their beds. and found
all their clothes (what few had undressed)
borne by the water to the Sound. Live
stock, such as pigs. chickens. horses, cattle.
dogs. cats, and cooking utensils. lumber.
Il - L. .lo
were carried forward. together with men
on them. some jumping out of windows.
some cutting their way through the roof.
others jumping off into the water. which.
in many places, was over their heads in
depth. and making for box or barrel in
order to reach the roof of shanty still
standing. Officers on horse were riding
or swimming through this moving mass.
giving orders to this floating army OF men.
who. with gun in one hand. and with the
other hanging on to some kind Of an OBJ
ject kept themselves above water. The
most mournful sight Of all. however. was
to witness the moving of the sick. some
of whom were in a dying condition before
the storm came. They were carried on
cots from place to place on the shoulders
of men who were wading through water
nearly neck deep. 1t was also sad sight
to witness snch destruction of property
At the wharf where all the Governmrut
property is stored wholesale destruction
took place. Provisions Of every kind
were soon aaoat-barrels of crackers.
bread. sugar, pork, beef. molasses. beans,
potatoes. fish. boxes of candles. SOAP
clothing, and in fact every thing required
for an an army was seen to go with the
flood, with the buildings containing them
in a very diIapidated condition. The
steamboat Spauidins arrived the evening
before with large load Of provisions.
clothing, lumber. &c. and as good luck
would have it; she was unable to land bnt
a small portion of her cargo the night she
came in Unfortunately there was, how
ever. some clothing landed for the naked
10th Indiana regiment. Nearly half of
this much needed freight was placed on
the pier. and went with the waves of the
ocean within view of the soldiers. who
with fearful eyes and shivering forms. be-
held this, to them. the most melancholy
sight Of all. About six o'clock this morn
ing. the flood was at its hight. and for
1.-TWO hours Colonel Brown of the Goth
Indiana Regiment and officers were in
great suspense 1t was evident that new
inlet below Fort Clark had been made dr-
ring the night, which entirely cut off their
escape; and as the waves were rushing into
Fort Clark by six in the morning, 1t was
apparent that all must meet with watery
grave II the water continued to rise at the
same rate for two hours to come. Fortu-
nately. the country was spared such horri-
BILE tidings as was momentarily threatening
the lives Of these loyal soldiers The
storm began to abate by I A. NJ. this morn
! ing. and by 6 o'clock narrow ridge OF
1sand beach was discovered above Fort
IClark, which was hailed with wild delight
by the soldiers of the Goth Indiana Regi-
4 ment, who, but few minutes before were
making preparations to save themselves,
Lie possible. from terrible fate By noon
the tide had gone down, and left quite q
little spot for the half drownded and. ex.
hausted men to walk upon and build some
camp fires. which enabled them to cook 9
lscanty meal from what few fragments o.
4 provisions had been rescued from the wa
ter. What sight to behold! All wa.
/, devastation and ruin; the entire camp was
+ made desolate. Several feet of sand arr
taken from the surface of the island. leav
ing it in such condition that it is SURE
Ito be under water as often as the tid'
r comes MP.
i Between Fort Clark and Hatteras. .