The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-02
NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1861

The Brilliant Success ut Cupc Hatteras--
Good Beginning for the Naval Expcdi-
ton.
The important successes achieved by the fedc-
raj arms at Cape Hatteras on Wednesday and
Thursday last must have sent thrill OF eXulta-
ton through the national heart as the news
became known yesterday. 1t was the first time
since the commencement of hostiities that we
did not fight against an immense disparity Of
forces, and, with the exception of McClellan's
victories in Western Virginia, it may be said
to have been the first time that we attained
any really practical advantage from our COLI
sion with the enemy. We trust, however, that
the capture of Forts Clark and Hatteras, with all
their armament, supplies and men, is but the
Inauguration of series of victories, both by
land and sea, which will leave the rebels OF
the South no alternative but complete subnis-
sion to the laws and constituted authorities Of
the Union.
point of view that this successful opening of
the expedition is important. 1t was absolutely
essential that the forts which the rebels erected
on Cape Hatteras should be wrested out of their
hands, and that the inlets connecting Pamlico
Sound with the ocean should be closed up.
That was one of the principal objects Of the
expedition. To accomplish it schooners and
sloops loaded with stones were provided for the
purpose of being sunk across the mouths of
these inlets, thus eiectually barricading them.
But, first, the forts must be reduced. This is
what was done by the squadron under the COM
mand of Commodore Stringham. The first day
of the engagement closed upon our occupation
of Fort Clark and the bombardment of the
second day only ceased with the unconditional
surrender of Fort uatteras, with its garrison,
armament and supplies
The net results of the two days work are
the possession of those two important positions,
the capture of seven hundred and thirty prison
ers-including Commodore Barron, the Assis-
tant Secretary of the rebel Navy, and forty-four
other oficers-with thirty-two cannon and a
thousand stand of arms, the command of the
Sound navigation and the ability to cut off,
IeisureIy and effectually, all communication
between the ocean and the great waters OF
Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, with their in
terror connections. This last feature Of the
enterprise has probably been accomplished ere
this. When Hattcras and Ocracoke inlets are
closed the game Of the privateers in that most
dangerous point of their operations is played
out, our merchant vessels can henceforth pass
Cape Hatteras in safety, Norfolk and Richmond
can 10 longer obtain supplies by sea, and our
blockading squadron can be Withdrawn from
that point to perform the like service at other
points of the Southern coast.
1t must not be supposed that the operations
Of the naval expedition end with this success.
On the contrary, it is but the beginning of the
work. The end Of it will only be when all the
resorts of privateers along the Southern coast
are sealed up. and some or all the ports of the
rebel States are thrown open to commerce under
the protection of tic Stars ~ Stripes
We have thus inaugurateW propitiously the
naval part of this war. 1t will probably turn
out to be the most important part of it, For
the present we can be content to limit our
land operations to defending the line Of tho Po-
tomac, aud holding our positions on the Missis-
sippi until the reduction by our feet of the
rebel stroagholds along the coast shall be the
signal for the dispersion humiliation of their
army All honor to Commodore Sringham'
General Butler and the officers and men under
their command for the successes which they
have already achieved.