Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-09-11
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER Il, 1861.

is worth going to see. 1t was now a little
after eight o'clock. We steadily and firm
ly advanced towards the two forts, which
were in plain sight on the point of Halter
as Inlet, with the disunion flag flying on a
small staff
Fort Hatteras, the principal fort was erect
ed in June last; Fort Clark within a few
weeks past They are composed of RIDE
materials. The number Of guns are as fol-
lows: Fort Hatteras, twelve mounted guns,
32 Founders; some eight inch shells. Fort
Clark, FIVE mounted guns, 80 Founders /;
some cight-inch shells. The number of
troops in the forts and camps was nearly
100.
The Susquehanna has now arrived and
prepared to join the action, 1t is near 9
O'Clock, on Wednesday morning. The fleet
continues to advance in battle array. The
most perfect silence prevails. Everything
is done by signals from the flag ship. The
entire squadron is in the field Each ship
is in her place-slowly, calmly advancing.
The morning continues beautiful, and the
usually rough sea of Cape Hatteras is in
perfect calm. 1t is wonderful to see such
weather here at such an hour. 1t looks as
if the finger of the Almighty was laid di-
rectly on the pillows, and had bound them
into quiet The flag, embankment, bar
racks and tents are now merging into view
each moment, and the silence is perfectly
awful
Ten o'clock, a. m-The following signal
appears on the flag ship: Prepare to dis
embark the troops
Ten and quarter o'clock first gun
has just doomed from the Susquehanna
1t passed directly over the Fort, but elicits
no reply. \ gun follows from the Wabash
The sand flies over the beach in all direc-
tons where the shot strikes The firing
now commences from ali the ships in regu-
lar order. The Harriet Lane has led the
way ahead of all the rest, her drums beat
ing to quarters, the Adelaide, with the
troops, following closely at hand The fl
ring has now become rapid, and continues
for some moments, the thunder and boom
of cannon, and the bursting of shells in the
air over the forts, presenting a startling
scene to the thousands who are looking on.
Ten and half-Gen. Butlernow appears
on the wheel house Of the Harriet Lane,
close by the Adelaide, and pointing to the
selected spot, shouts the command, Land
the troops The preparations are now 90
ing forward with great rapidty. The men
and arms are made ready, and the tows
swing for the shore. There are no signs of
movement in the fort, though it has replied
with few guns, all the shots from which
fall far short. Not a vessel is hit The
sound Of the guns alarms the cattle in the
woods, who rush down to and along the
beach in large droyes-a kind Of powder
horn artillery that will meet u hearty vel
come.
Eleven o'clock-The firing of the feet
has increased with terrible rapidity, and the
forts reply with great spirit Their gun
merry is remarkably good The troops
are now landing with artillery, in the order
proposed,
Eleven twenty-five Susquchanna now
changes her place in the line Of battle, and
fires gun that makes terrific echo Her
aim is direct, and the result is at once seen
at the parapets.
Twelve o'clock.-The Minnesota opens
her ports from the centre. Her firing is
most powerful and effective. The wind has
now increased in singular manner, so as
to keep us clear from smoke, and show the
Notifications to advantage, while the men
on the parapets are enveloped in clouds
The men in the fleet are thus unobstructed.
Twelve fifteen.-The Pawnec commen-
ces firing into the woods, where it is sup
posed the secessionists my be lying in am
bush to interfere with the landing of our
forces. The Harriet Lane and all the re-
mainder OF the feet are now firing on the
forts The sound Of the guns and the ap-
pearance of the smoke are sublime at times
A score Of cloud balloons, formed in wreaths
by the explosion Of shells, are seen in the
air at the same moment, floating in the
sky over the trembling land.
Two o'clock.-The troops are now on the
shore forming into line, bearing the beau
tiful banner of our glorious Union. It is
a pleasant sight in the old North State
Three to five o'clock.-The lombard
ment continues at intervals Not one of
the vessels have yet been hit, though the
forts have fired with the utmost animation.
Six o'clock.-The sky for the first time
grows lowering toward the sea. 1t is evi-
dent that the secessionists are disappointed
as to their fire, and their only hope now is
that a gale may speedily arise and scatter
the feet, but there is mutual disappoint-
ment-with us in the ships very agree
able one; and those in the forts very disa-
greeable.
Nine O'Clock at Night-The sky is all
clearing off. The sea continues wonder
fully calm to the astonishment Of all old
sailors in the fleet The moon again ap-
pears in all her silvery beauty, and smiles
down en- the scene
Thursday morning, 29.-Another splen-
did dav ic hnfora nc T+ ;c +ho dow RI r