Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-09-21


and be assigned to the defence Of the coast de-,
sire not to Be understood expressing or intithar
ting preferences for any particular regiment but "
seems TO that the possible, net to say probable
exigences Of the Service render it suitable that the
9th regiment which is nearly in readiness for the
field should be assigned as suggested and desired.
On the 18th of june, 1 addressed the following,
communication to Governor Winslow:
/" have now examined the whole coast commit
ted TO my charge am proceeding to have bat
teries erected at the Inlets But the coas. cannot
be defended without mounted artillery and cavalry
would very respectfully suggest the blending of
the two corps to the extent of giving to each com.
pany of cavalry battery of two six-pounders and
two IL pound howitzers. The spare dragons can
act as videttes. At least six companies will be re-
quired i beg most respectfully to refer you to my
report to His Excellency, Gov. Ellis, bearing date
the 30th May, and inviting his attention to my for
mer report to him on the Goth May.
"There are scarcely men enough now assigned to
the department to the batteries already erec-
ted and none as reserve to defend them in Of
an attack and success on the part of the enemy
in cffecting landing Such force is necessary in
any we'll arranged scheme Of shore batteries erected
to resist superior naval force beg only to add
that such force is indispensable for the batteries,
and that it is useless to keep up those erected and
much more useless to erect any more, without
further supply of troops assigned to my command.
The " Winslow" is doing good service, having al
ready in few days made two captures and clearly
the better she does in taking prizes the more likely
it becomes that an attack will be made on some Of
our batteries by the enemy-and then it will be
seen, il not sooner that the forces l am asking,
ought to have been supplied in time"
On the 2sth of June | submitted again to Gov.
Winslow, Secretary Of the Military Board another
estimate of the forces required for the defence of
the Northern department of the coast defences pre-
faced as follows:
al have carefully reviewed my estimate for the
defences Of the coast committed to my charge. and
now have the honor to submit what | conceive to
be the minimum force required for its protection"
then proceeded to enumerate the forces under six
teen heads, summing up $500 troops. Though
prepared in Newbern, thought it proper to repair
to Raleigh and submit it in person.
Colonel Bradford of the Military Board, issued an
order on the 29th Of June prohibiting any further
expenditures on account of the coast defences which
involved the discharge of all labOrers engaged in the
construction Of the batteries and would have left
the works at 0cracoke and Hatteras in an untinish-
ed state fortunately we had ten or twelve days pro-
visions on hand, and no expenditure other than the
pay of the laborers was required. The hands were
therefore kept at work at the batteries until could
confer with the proper authorities in Raleigh which
did at the earliest day possible; some delay, how
ever, was caused by the absence of Governor Wins
slow and the death Of Governor Ellis, and it was not
until the 9th of july that brought the subject to
the attention Of Governor Winslow, will be seen
by the following communication addressed to him
as Secretary of the Military Board:
~ have the honor herewith to lay before you re-
ports from Col. W. b. Thompson and Col Elwood
Morris respectively in charge Of the works for the
defence of Hatteras and Ocracoke Iniets, You will
from them the disastrous results that may ensue
from a suspension OF those works. The batteries
proposed at other points cf like Importance to
the defence of the coast; and apprehend serious
consequences from the non completion of any one of
them. The vessels of the enemy constantly
cruising along the coast stopping opposite the In
lets at distance OF from and half to five miles,
closely inspecting with glasses the operations for
their defence The prizes which have been made,
and those which doubtless will continue to be made,
will attract his attention and more to the coast
and lead perhaps to assaults in its present defence
less condition, probably to possess himself of the
navigation of the Sound to the cutting off all CON-
munIcations between the coast and the Interior and
all water connection between Virginia and North
Carolina, and open a field for marauding and plum
dering, the most extensive that the enemy could
possess himself Of at such small cost for its accom-
plishment None could yield him richer harvest
and at the same time occasion such disaster and dis
tress. The occupancy of the Sounds by the enemy
may indeed, be regarded as the subjugation of the
State.
For the number of batteries it is proposed to erect
and the force required for the defence Of the coast
committed to my charge, beg to refer you to my
report of the 2Sih ult"
/ also had an interview with Governor Clark and
the result was a communication from Gov. Wins
low Secretary of the Military Board as follows -
1.-The Convention Of the people of North Carolina,
has conceded to the Confederate Government all
forts and Notifications, and officer has proceeded
to the coast on a tour Of inspection. In the mean
time, all expenditures for material and for NUM-
tons of war must cease, nor must any additional
force be employed. In other words, expenditures
the part of the State must be confined strictly to
the employment OF the present force of laborers up
on the progressing works"
On the 18th of July addressed a communication
to Governor Clark, from which the following is an
extract:
81 would here take occasion to observe that
have repeatedly made acquisitions for percussion
caps and musket cartridges and all that have OBJ
tanned Of one was small box of caps, and of the
other 4,6lO cartridges made by the ladies here and
5000 from the Ordnance department, making 49,
Clio, except that bought in addition to those 5000
caps, which found in private hands,"
On the 22d July, wrote to Governor Clark, call
ing his attention to the fact that there no reg
mental organization of the troops under my COM
mand-that the 7th regiment of twelve months vol
unteers which had been assigned to the Northern
department coast defences, though the number of
companies required had been recruited they were
distributed to the various posts, and had not been
mustered into SERVICE that in anticipation of this
being done within certain time, had ordered an
election of officers. But that the regiment might
be broken mp by the authority given to an officer to
enlist three Of the companies for the regular service
Thus all the troops under my command would be
considered detached companies not under regimen
tai organization, and by the terms las understood
them of the transfer of the State troops to the Con-
federate army the coast would be stripped of troops
on the goth of August-and | called his "Excellen-
otpo Al 4 L..
Ocracoke, Hatteras and Oregon Inets, for which as
we'll DIS for stores Of every description made full
acquisitions at early day after entered the ser
vice Of the State and several occasions since have
reported those acquisitions. That only 1850 car
tridses had been sent to Oregon, and 5000 caps
which purchased on my own account and that the
irons for the barbette carriages had not arrived"
When took command it was not known what