Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-10-10
Official Report Of the Late Engagement at
Hatteras

Official Report OF the Late Ensasemeht ~
Hatteras
The following dispatches were received last
night at the Navy Department
US. STEAMER susouEHANNA,
- OF Ratteras Inlet, Oct. 5th, 1861.
Sir: Late In the afternoon OF the 4th inst re-
ceived Information that the enemv had landed IN
large force at ChIcomonieo and Kline Keet, and
that the Indiana regiment posted there were In
full retreat before them Also that our three tugs
In the Inlet were aground or disabled The Fan
ny had been captured .ne dav ,,s o: ,S, "a ~.
Monticello, and anchored for the night close to
shore In Hatteras cove.
Al daylight found our troops 10 and about the
ip hit house and In distress for want of provisions,
which they had been without for twenty-four
hours supplied them with food, and, at the
request Of the commanding officer, remained for
their protection during the DAY: Hearing tnst
1 sent the Monticello to drive them of. which
important service was performed by Lieut. Com
handing Braine with great effect and good con-
duct. His report IL enclosed.
/ am, very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
J. l.. LARDNER, Captain.
Flag Officer L. M. Goldsborough.
The following is the official report of Lieutenant
Braine:
UNITED STATES STEAMER MoNrIcKLLo, !
OF Cape Hatteras, N O., Oct 5, 1851.
Sir: l have the honor to inform YOU that, in
obedience to your order Of this morning, l stood
through the inner channel Of Hatteras Shoals, at
northward, keeping bright lookout from aloft
At 80 D. m we discovered several sailing YES
sells over the woodland, "Kinecut.n and, at the
same time, reg ment marching to the northward,
carrying a rebel flag in their midst, with many
stragglers In the rear; also two tugs inside flying
| the same flag. As they came out of the woods,
Kinecut, we ran close In shore, and opened de-
liberate fire upon them at distance Of three quar-
tiers Of mile. At our hrst shell, which fell appa
rently In their midst they rolled up their flag and
scattered, moving rapidly up the beach to the
| northward. We followed them, firing rapidly
| from three guns driving them up to a clump Of
woods, In which they took refuge, and abreast of
| which their steamers lay.
| We now shelled the woods, and could see them
| embarking in small boats for their vessels, evil
IDENTIFY in great confusion, and suffering greatly
4 from our fire
| Their steamers now opened upon us, firing,
| however but three shots which fell short Two
| boats filled with men, were struck by our shells
| and destroyed. Three more steamers came down
| the Sound, and took position opposite the woods
we were Smelling; also, two sloops We con-
/ tinued firing deliberately upon them from one
| and half D. m, until three and half p. m.
| when two men were discovered on the sea6esch,
making signals to u.s. Surprising them to be two
of the Indiana regiment, we sent an armed boat
| and crew to bring them off, covering them at tie
| same time with our fire. Upon the boat nearing
| the beach, they took to the water One CT them
| was successful in reaching the boat, private
ment Indiana troops. The other man, private
| Charles " bite, company n twentieth regiment
Indiana troops, was, unfortunately, drowned in
| the surf
Private Haver informs me that be was taken
| prisoner on the morning of the Ith that he wit.
| messed our FIRE, which was very destructive He
states that two Of our shells fell into two sloops
loaded with men, blowing the vessels to pieces
| and sinking them. Also, that several Of the of
| hcers were killed Their horses weIe seen run
| ming about the track He bad just escaped from
| his captors after shooting the captain Of one O
| the rebel companies. tie states that the enem,
| were in the greatest confusion, rushing Wild,
into the water, striving to get OF to their vessels
| Private Haver now directed me TO the Point
| where the rebels were congregated, waiting ar
| opportunity to get of. l opened fire again, with
success, scattering them We were now ver'
| close, In three fathoms water, and fvesecond
shell told with effect
Six steamers were now of the Point, one o
| which recognized az the Fanny.
At IS p. IN We ceased firing. leaving the enem'
scattered along the beach for upward Of fou
| miles.
fired repeatedly at the enemy's steamers witt
| our rifed cannon, a "Parrot,n 80 pounds ant
| struck the Fanny, 1 think, once. i found tn
| range of this piece much short Of what had an
| tcipated; many of the shot turning end over end
and not exceeding much the range Of the smooth
bore 80 pounds.
enclose herewith the memorandum of the am
munition expended day.
am, respectfully, your Obedient servant,
Lieut. ID. l.. BRAINR,
Commanding U 9. Monticello
| TO Captain J l.. LARDNER,
Commanding U 3. 3 Susquehanna
Oh Cape Hatteras, North Carolina