The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-09-04

E IA
FORTRESS MONROE, Aug 81, 1861.
The expedition which left Hampton
Roads for the coast of North Carolina on
Monday last has resulted 10 one of the
most splendid ACHIEVEMENTS on record as
connected with the navy in particular.
Some delay attended the concentration
of ali the SHIPS and steamers, but on
Wednesday morning the Minnesota, the
Wabash, the Cumberland, the Susque-
hanna, the Pawnee, the Harriet Lane,
the MONTICELLO. beside number of tugs
and the transport steamers Adelaide and
Peabody, had arrived off Hatteras Inlet.
The hee' was in commadd of Flag
Officer StriDgham, and the land forces
were commanded by Mai Gen. Butler
Within the last three months the Reb,
els have erected two forts to guard the
mouth of the Hatteras Luiet, and under
the protection which they afforded Pam
lico, and Albemarle Sounds and the con
Meeting sounds, had become the rendez
vous of privateers.
Through this direct connection with
the Chesapeake, Albemarle, Norfolk, and
Virginia communicated with the sea.
Owing to the character of the coast,
blockade was impossible, and capture
therefore beca ne necessary.
The bom bardmeat was commenced at
a distance Of about two and a half miles
By the Minnesota on Wednesday at IL
a m, and she was soon joined by che en-
tire feet.
The ire was incessant, the forts re
sponded but seldom, and 1t soon became
evident that their guns could not reach
the sh,p ps, though the Rebels night ho1 ID
out, protected as they were by their worHs
When the bombardment opened, tie
landing Of troops from the transports, BY
launches and small boats, commenced,
under cover Of the guns of the Harriet
Lane and Monticello.
1t was more than an hour before the
first boat reached the beach. By this
time the wind had come up so that t5c
surf ran high, and though the grejtest
efforts were made, only about three bun
dred of the forces were landed
Every boat was either broken u b o.
beached, and Notwithstanding nearlJ enc
men lad been placed On sci oon-
ers, it was considered too daueeroIs 70
attempt to land them, and they veIb re-
turned to the Transports Those who
reached the shore were thoroughly yet
Meanwhile the bombardment webt on
without cessation. The scene was ex.
iremely grand The shells from the feet
rained on the forts and exploded with
splendid effect. The forts replied but
seldom.
When this had continued about tnree
hours, the fiag at Fort ClaI't came down,
and the rebels retreated to Fort Hatteras,
large work below.
Soon after our forces on shore occu-
pied the abandoned fort and waved the
Stars aud Stripes from the ramparts
Unfortunately mistaking the fag, or not
aware that our men had landed, some Of
the ships sent several shells IN among
them out without iniuriGg any one
Night coming on the feet returned for
anchorage.
On Thursday morning the feet took
their positions at about the same range,
and at o'clock the Susqueha4n opened
the ball, aud in few minu es the entire
feet concentrated its fire on Fdrt Halter.
as. Fort Hatteras did not retdrn the fire
for nearly half an hour, and IFS shots all
fell short
The bombardment was continued with
oGt lnterwission. when, at half- past elev-
en-, cur shells began to range on their
magazne--a white flag was displayed on
the tort-our men at Fort CLARK, with
loud shouts, started on double quick,
and were met ou the beach by flag of
truce.
The capture is seven hundred and thir.
ty prisoners, one thousand stadd of arms,
thlrtV-two cannon. five huudted knap.
sacks, and large quantity of munitions
aud equipages
At the time of the surrender. four
killed were unburied, and thirteen wound.
ed. 1t Is believed that nuW Der were
sent away this morning by al steamer
Not man was hurt on our sidd.
With tho forts, papers and blocks were
captured, disclosing the plans ofjthe Reb-
els and giving much valuable infbruation.
This will close an important outlet for
the priyateers.