Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-10-03
EXPEDITION from HATTBRAS TO OC-
RACOKE INLET OBSTRUCTION OF
A REBEL FORT,

A correspondent Of the Ney York Herald
who accompanied the expedition recently sent
from Hatteras to destroy the rebel fort on Bea-
con Island, at Ocracoke Inlet, gives the follow
ing interesting account Of the AFFAIR."
On Monday last the 10Th inst, an expedition
was sent to the Ocrlcoke Inlet to take and de.
stroy the fort on Beacon Island, near the en-.
trance to the Sound. 1t was under command of
Lieut.. Eastman, of the Pawnec, and consisted
of 65 men from the Coast Guard, under Lieut.
Rowe, and detachment of sailors and ma
rines from the Pawnee, in the ships launch
The Coast Guard were on board the Fanny
which towed the launch down, taking the in
side passage. The frigate Susquehanna and
the Tempest went by sea to cooperate with the
force inside, but in consequence of their great
draft they were unable to approach near enough
to the fort to be of SERVICE and they returned
to Hatteras Inlet without aiding in the work.
The Fanny was able to approach within mile
of the fort, and the launch was sent ashore
and carried the force which could be spared,
which effected a landing with safety.
The fort was found deserted, but the enemy
had but a short time previous to our arrival Wis
tied the work, and successfully removed two
heavy eight inch guns and transported them to
strong batteries.
Monday and Tuesday were occupied in de-
stroying the pieces of ordnance found in the
fort, and by Tuesday noon we had destroyed
or rendered unserviceabe eighteen long thirty
two's and four cight-inch navy guns On Tues
day afternoon, at late hour, fires were built
in various parts of the main bomb-proofs and
magazine and the three smaller bomb-proots
near the curtains of the work. The bomb.
proofs, which were constructed in the most sub
stantial and skiful manner, of heavy pine tim
Der and covered with sand and turf, were soon
in flames.
The torch was also applied to the lighthouse
on the island and this. with the immense fort
were soon wrapt in flames. The conilagration
ragged furiously all night, the light being plainly
visible thirty miles distant. The Fanny laid
off at anchor until morning, and on Wednesday
the tort having been completely destroyed, the
expedition returned to this point, without the
loss of a man.
The destruction of the fort and armament wa,
complete, and must involve the enemy in los,
of between two and three hundred thousand
dollars. The fort was one of the largest on tbs
coast, and could have been held against any nt
tack from our ilect, as it could not be approach
ed within long range by vessels OF deep draught
! But the enemy were terribly frightened by thc
capture of Forts Clark and Hatteras, and incon
tinently deserted their work the night follow
ing the loss of the latter fort.
While the expedition was oil the fort, parties
visited the small villages of Ocracoke and Ports
mouth, and at the latter place, discovered and
destroyed two heavy guns, which had beer
mounted there. Many of the men, women anC
children fled the Villages on our approach, but
as we offered no injury to private property, o
insults TO those remaining before the expedition
had left, all retained.
We found the Union feeling very strong, ans
great majority of the residents Of both vii
lagos loyal to the government They complain
of outragcs perpctrateL by the rebel soldiers
who plundcred and stole without stint. n,
satisfaction for these wrongs could be obtained
from the rebel officers, who seemed to regarC
loyal citizens, or those suspected of harborin!
a wish for peace, as lit subjects for their infer
nal practices. All seemed anxious to see tn
old stars and stripes raised over their villages
and all were desirous of taking the oath Of allie
glance to the government, and ready to do thei
duty as good and loyal citizens. Unfortunately
Col. Hawkins had not sufficient force under hi
command to place q garrison at Ocraco okc; an
for that reason it was found necessary to dc
stroy instead of occupying the forts there. ii
needs more men Immediately, to operate to an
advantage.
We found Al Portsmouth q young man b
the name of Wm. I. Phillips, from Harwicl
Cape Cod, Massachusetts,. He had been car
tured off Ocracoke in the latter part Of Jul,
while in a schooner, on his way to New Yorl
by the wiyateer Mariner, aud had been force
to serve the State of North Carolina first as
seaman in one Of the transports of the Stat
and afterwards as cook to the Washingto
Grays, a company captured at Fort liattera
After the capture of the latter work he return