Newbern weekly progress. [volume] (Newbern, N.C.) 1858-1863, 1861-07-23
For the Progress
FoKr OcRAcoKE, BEACON ISLAND, }
June 9th 1871

Editor Doily Progress: DEAR SIR:-Since
my last communication nothing has occurred
worthy of note and we have been busiIy en-
gagged in our appointed work, mounting guns,
landing and piling shot and shell, building
quarters for the garrison OF the Fort and doing
all the other acts and deeds necessary to make
this post live long in the memory of any Lin
coin vessel that may dare to come within range
of our guns. The garrison is at present com
posed Of the s'Tar River Boys and both on
shore and seaward they have kept most vigi-
LIANT and effective guard. | cannot doubt that
they will give good account Of five times their
number of the scum OF hrelings that threaten
| us, when the day of battle comes. On Monday
next they will be relieved by the Morris
Guards" under Capt. H. A. Gillian, who will
then move his command over here from Ports
mouth for two weeks. This Company is like
all our gallant volunteers, dissatisfied only with
one thing that, after having been here for about
four or five weeks, they have had no fight get.
They fully intend to do some 'tpo~ertut serere"
fighting-as one of them expressed it-when
the hour comes
On Saturday night, when chanccd to be at
Portsmouth on leave, it seemed almost as if the
wished-for time was come at last. A steamer,
with large black hull, no bowsprit, three
masted and side-whecled, was distincly seen
off the bar Among others | saw her myself
as have described her, apparently standing in
for the inlet. The drum beat to aries, cart
ridges and caps were distributed, and in an in
credibibly short time 450 resolute men stood
firm within the Hospital enclosure, under the
command of Capt. Sparrow, ready for ANYTHING
he might Indicate Where all were prompt it
would be difficult to single any one company
out as deserving OF especial notice, but the sol
dery promptncSS and Z0U0re celebrity with
which Capt Gilliam's ''AIorrs Guards" sped to
the rendezvous were beyond all praise. But it
was fatetl net to he-thc steamer as reported
by Capt Sparrows scouts, after stcaming along
shore for while, bore away to the Eastward
and was no more seen. Nevertheless the troops
remained under arms and biv'ouaccd in the
Hospital till very late at night The "Was}I-
ngton Greys" were detailed by their Captain
to rest on their arms the whole night, TIL, Just
before daybreal, they were transported to Fort
Ocracoke, to be ready to repulSe any attack
that might be made at sunrise. Bat none such
was attempted.
ought not to omit noticing the bearing OF
our gallan: Seventh Regiment of n. G. Eo!un-
tccrs, as they reposed on their arms awaiting
the order to march. 1t was clear moonllt
ight and the merry jest-the frollcsome giec
OF toyhood, mingled with the sober mirth of
matured manhood, gave token that the will
to do and the soul to dare" were by no means
wanQng Singing was commenced, and kept
up with spirit the ''W ashngtOn Greys" per
forming several beautiful glees with very great
! taste and spirit The morris Guards" follow
! cd in their own mastery style showing by their
singing that many Of them were accomplished
musicians. Especially, ali impromptu 'biNie"
led by Il gputitnan III tins Company was TecelT
Cd with loud and repeated plaudets 1t was the
| most unique thing oi the klnd have heard tol
some time.
Let 1t not be thought that have forgotten
because | mention it last, that several ioye y
| ladies graced this scene. Our thoughts dwci
longest on W hat hear lass and on this theme
mine dwell ROW with real pleasure. Yes! they
! were there and several intended 10 march tt
| the beach when the order was given, for th'
avowel purpose of attending to the wants O
any who might suffer in the strife. God blcs'
them There was a nobler and higher hero
ism N many soft-aye many te"LJHI cy'
and guireri"g tip, that night, than ever CLEAN
! ed from warriors face.
/ Blame not the fearful eye, nor the quiverins
! lip, While re thought and talked ;ind laugh
| ed about the fray, they had followed the matte
out to its possible conclusion and with thought
of dead and dying before their minds it was bu
natural that slight shade of sadness SHOULD
| fit across them,
''Since upon night SO sweet, such awful morn m1gA
| rise.
Truly yours, MUD FIDDLER