The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-10-18
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Browns encampment, consisting Of
about eight huDdr d men Of the
twentieth Indiana regiment. located
some thirty miles above Fort Hat
teras, reported elk rebel steamers,
with schooners and hstbosts in tow,
all loaded with troops. coming out
Of Croatan sound, and steering
straight for the encampment. The
Colonel Immediately dispatched g
courier to inform Colonel Hawkins,
at Fort Hstteras. of his situation
stating that he would retreat 10 the
lighthouse on the cape, aid there
make . stapd.
The steamers landed about fifteen
hundred men three miles above Col.
Brown, and then came on down
throwing shells into the tents, de
stroying them. slso a honse which
had been used as q hospital, killing
what sick remained therein. They
then passed on down and COM
mcnced landing troops below, in.
tending to cut off all retreat, and,
having them between their two
forces. make sure, no d, ubt Of bag
ging Colonel Brown and his men, AT
their leisure. But they were not
Quick enough; ioHCol. Brown hastily
destroyer what he could not carry
off with him, and left on the double
quick, and succeeded In reaching
the lighthouse about nine in the
evening. having perform, d a rapid
march through the heavy sand.
Colonel Hawkins. upon receiving
the information from Col. Brown,
dispatched note to Captain Lard
ner. Of the Susquehanna, informing
him Of the condition VI affairs, and
then started on double quick, with
ak companies OF his Zpuaves to re-
enforce the retrcsting troops. Capt.
Lardncr Immediately got the Sus
quehanna under way, at the same
time ordering the Monticello to do
the same, and proceeded up and an.
chored in Lighthouse cove, about
8 o'clock in the evening. within hall
eunshot Of the light. When day
light broke, the troops ON shore and
the Sailors were within speaking
distance ofcach other. Col. Browns
troops had not eaten anything since
the previous morning. which fact
being made known to Captai% Lard.
ner, he Immediately supplied them
with provisions. At the request OF
Colonel Hawkins, Captain Lardncr
remained at anchor to protect the
troops against such superior nun
bers as were supposed to be in pnr.
suit Of them. lie at the came time
ordered the Monticello to double
Cape IIatteras, and proceed close
along the shore, and see il he could
discover any traces Of the enemy
lie had proceeded but short distance
: when the rebels were discovered in
inll plume. and within half gunsho';
the Monticello opened fire on them
at once with shells that exploded
with the utmost precision. scattering
them in all directions, killing and
wounding them by hundreds. The
enemy consisted OF one regiment oI
Virginians, the seventh Georgia, and
about twelve hundred North Carroll
ma militia, making a total oi about
three thousand men, under the COM
mand Of General Iluger, who, it is
said, Was killed at the commence
ment OF the shclling process. Lien
tenant commanding Braine says that
he expcned to their account two
hundred and eighteen shells, every
one Of which did good service =
Two schooncrs and two hatbosts.
with troops which had not yet land.
ed, or else had just embarked for
their return. were entirely destroyed
by the explosion of the shells thrown,
into them, killing-and wounding all
on board. A shell entered tho side
oi one Of the schooners, and then cx.
lploded, filing the air with fragments
OF the wreck an limbs OF human
beings. II is considered rs being
within the bounds to cay that at
least five hundred were either killed
or wounded. Hundreds of them
were seen to wade out into the sound
up to their necks. and when they
wonld hear slell coming they
would crouch down under the water,
and remain as long as they could,
and then poke up their heads and
listen for the approach Of the next
messenger OF death, and repeat the
operation. A more Icriect trap
could not well have been arranged
Tor their destruction, The belt Of
land where they were discovered, is
n, more than third Of mile wide,
and separates Pa,nlico sound from
the ocean. Their steamers attempt.
ed to come in close enough to take
them of; but shell or two sent
plougling after item indaced them
to keep a safe distance. AMI their