Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-09-06
From Gen. Buffers Expedition
GRAND FEDERAL VICT0RY-C,PTURE OF FORT
HATTkRAS WITH $40 REBELS.

WASHINGTON, Sept1.
A gentleman connected with the expedition
reports that the forces were landed and drawn
up in line on the beach, when it was found
that there were 3l9 men, under command of
Col. Weber, of the Goth N. Y. regiment. At this
time the wind raised little, and it was found
impossible to land more troops. They pro-
ceeded to the beach, capturing one bass field
piece and one horse The force then pro-
ceeded to Fort Clark, which had been evacu-
ated, but were compelled to retire. owing to
the shells of the fleet falling therein, and
marched back to the place of landing, and there
bivouaced for the night. In the morning they
returned and the fleet commenced lombard
ing the second fort, called Fort Hatteras,
which soon afterwards displayed white flag,
when the fort was entered by our troops.
Our officers were conducted to the tent OF
Commodore Barron, who was in command OF
| the rebel forces. The commodore placed in the
hands of Lient. Wigel the following PROPOSE
ton, which was Immediately carried to Gen.
Butler:
Memorandum-Flag-O Officer Barron, CS.N.,
offers to surrender Fort liatteras, with all the
arms and munitions of war, the officers to 20
out with side arms, the men to retire without
arms. Signed, BARRON,
Commanding Naval Defences Va and N. c.
The following was despatched by Capt.
Crosby U. S. n, and Lieut. Wigel:
Memorandum-Benj F. Butler, Maj. Gen.
commanding U. S. n, in reply to the commu-
forces at Fort Hatteras, cannot admit the
| I'LL
pitulation; the officers and men to be treated
as prisoners of war. No other terms adms,
sable. Commanding officers to meet on board
the flag ship Minnesota to arrange details"
Upon reception of this the commodore
called counci-of-war of his field officers and
accepted the terms offered, and proceeded tc
the flagship to arrange details-after which
the prisoners were pit on board the flag ship
and the stars and stripes hoisted.
The official account of Gen. Butler gives
very minute particulars of the expedition and
engagement but presents no new features-
He says Fort Hatteras mounted 10 guns, 4
unmountcd; also one large l0-inch columbad
ready for mounting. The position of the
Fort is an exceedingly strong one, nearly sur.
rounded by water, and only to be approached
by march of 500 yards circuitously over a
long neck of sand, within half musket range
and over causeway few feet only in width
which was commanded by two 23-pounders
loaded with grape and canister
Fort Clark which is about 700 yards north
erly, is square rcdoubt mounting 4 guns
and two six Founders. The enemy had spiked
their guns, but in very inefficient manner,
upon abandoning the fort the day before.
Butler says on consultation with the Flag
! Officer Stringham. and Com. Stellwager, de-
termined to leave troops and hold the fort, be-
cause of the Notifications, its importance, and
because, if being i'll possession Of the enemy,
with sufficient armament, of the difficulty Of
recapturing The importance of the point
cannot be overrated, from the fact that there
the whole coast of Virginia and North Caro-
lima, from Norfolk TO Cape Lookout, is within
our reach by light draft vessels, which cannot
possibly live at sea during the winter months.
From i, offensive operations may be made
on the whole coast Of North Carolina, to
Boyne Inlet, extending many miles inland to
Washington. Newburn and Beaufort, in the
language of the Chic: Engineer of the rebels, in
an official report, is the key of the Albermarle.
In my Judgment it is a station second in i'm
portance only to Fortress Monroe on this coast
as a depot for coaling and supplies for the
blockading squadron. 1t is invaluable as
harbor for our coasting trade, or inlet from
winter storms, or from pirates. By holding it
llatteras light may again sent forth its cheer
full ray to the storm-beaten mariner.
The remainder Of Buffers report is taken
up in making honorable mention of officers
and men under him who distinguished them
selves.
1t appears the Harriet Lane and transport,
with COL Hawkins Regiment aboard, got
ashore on the bar, previous to the capitula-
ton, almost running under the guns of the
fort
FoRT MONROE, Sept. l.
The steamer George Peabody arrived from
Ilattcras Inlet this morning having in tow the
prize ship Brooke, captured in the Inlet The
Harriet Lane was got off Saturday. Her ar
mament and coal was thrown overheard. The
guns would be recovered. The Minnesota had
left for New York, with the rebel prisoners,
The rebels had killed and IS wounded.
A military department it is supposed, will
be created for Gen. Butler
REBEL. ACCOUNTS.
LOUISVILLE, Aug. 3O.-A special to the Lou
isvlle C"uri.r, from the Um,on O. american,
Nashville, 3lst, says dispatches from Rich
mond state that Gen. Butler, commanding a
feet of 100 guns and 4, 900 men, arrived at Fl
Hatteras on Tuesday, and opened fire on the
Fort, which was vigorously returned by the
garrison of 800 men, under command of Capt.
Barron, formerly of the U. S. Navy. After
twenty rounds the rebels ammunition gave
out, and the entire garrison surrendered The
fort was built few months since and mount
ed twenty guns.
LOUISVILLE, Sept. 2.
A special dispatch to the Counter, from
Nashville, on the 3lst, says the capture of
Forts Hatteras and Clark-the latter miles |
north of Hatteras-is confirmed from Will |
mlngton. Our men fought bravely. 1t is re-
ported that 500 or 600 of our men were taken
prisoners Our loss, killed and wounded, IS |
only 10 to -.
GALL1PoL1s, Sept. 2.
A fight took place yesterday, at Boone
Court House, Va, between the rebels anu
three companies Federal troops, which result
ed in the rout of the rebels, with loss of 80 |
killed, large number wounded and 40 pris-
oners. None killed on our side, but six were
Our men burned the town.
New YORK, Sept. 2.
Surveyor Andrews yesterday seized 25 ves-
sells, owned wholly or in most by rebels, inclu-
ding IS ships ard barks Others will be
seized to-day. The value of the vessels seized
IS over two million dollars
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 3.
The Richmond Enquire of the 2Sth ult.
contains letter from Fernandina, Florida
lated August 2lst, which has been received
It Savannah. saying that the crew of the Jeff
Davis had arrived there, the vessel having
been wrecked on the bar while trying to get
nto St. Augustine, Florida. u