Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-09-05
Geographical SIX fetch of Hatteras and
the Vicinity.

We have prepared brief sketch of that
section of our sister State which has been III
vaded by the Lincoln army. With the as
sistance of a very large map, which may be
found in our Office, the great importance of
this movement of the enenmy will be seen at
a glance. The;excellence of this map will at
once indicate the draughtsman, who has an
ticipated our wants on several previous oc-
casions.
island, forming the seaward limit of Pimlico
Sound. The whole series of islands which
girdle the coast of North Carolina are DESC
late and barren. To the northward, between
the main island and Narrow Beach Island,
stretching down from Cape Henry, lies Cur
rituck Sound, fifty miles long, and two to
ten miles broad. West of this, running in
land, in ALTERNATE Sound, sixty miles long,
and from five to fifteen miles broad; its wa
tiers are fresh and not subject to tidal infiu-
ences. These two sounds communicate with
Pimlico Sound, which lies south of Curri-
tuck; it is eighty six miles long, and from
ten to twenty broad, with general depth of
twenty feet. But navigation Is much imped-
ed by shoals within it. Ii opens to the ocean
through Ocracoke Inlet, which is considered
the best navigable pass north of Cape Look
out.
The entire shore of these sounds is indent-
ed by rivers and branches, which are naviga-
BILE for vessels of light draught. The Chow
en- and Roanoke Rivers empty into Alber-
marie Sound; the former, which is made by
the union of the Nottoway and Meherrin,
admits small vessels to MurfreesborO, in
Hartford county, and the latter is navigable,
for similar crafts, tor thirty miles only
Elizabeth City, on the Pasquotank River, is
| also a place of Importance. The Tar and
Neuse Rivers empty into Pimlico Sound
Washington is the principal port on the for
mer, ana Newbern on the latter. From the
last named porta large trade in grain was
| transacted with Charleston. Besides, there
was very large foreign and coast wise trade
| in naval stores, lumber and grain from the
ports of Beaufort. Edentoa, Elizabeth City.
Washington and Plymouth. -
Inland navigation is open to Norfolk from
Elizabeth City by the Dismal Swamp Canal.
| The most important point, within reach of
| the Yankee forces, is Beaufort. port of en-
try, the best on the coast, having twenty feet
water on the bar The channel runs quite
near the Shackelford Banks, on the point OF
which is an earth work. OF the calibre of the
guns we have no information. Opposite. on
Bogue Island, stands Fort Macon. This is q
regularly constructed work, of considerable
strength At the time Of its seizure by the
Gevernor of North Carolina, il was like
| Fort Pulaski, In Georgia-in very unmili.
ttary conditIon-but considerable work has
been done since, and 1t should be able, with q
Ifall garrison, and plenty Of powder and shot
to make q protracsed defence. From More
head City, opposite Beaufort, there is q rail
road to Goldsboro', on the Weldon and Viii
mington Road. This will enable the authori
ties to throw large bodies of troops on fhs
/ coast; and, from reliable sources, we learn
that an immense fotilla OF coasting vessels
including some steamers, are available fol
any movements By water that may be deci
ded uposl - - 8. s. 49,. q.
We learn that q large number of familfe
are leaving their homes on the coast viii
their slave and personal effects. Prompt anf
i decisive steps should at cnce be taken to
their protection. Charleston A1aTy, ID.