The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-08
TENTH voLUME---NUMBER 4s5.

work OF mounting other guns is progressing, and
If not interrupted, this Inlet will be in thorough
petenslve position in few days"
On the 18th Of June-"The fort at this place
has now six guns mounted, and have today sta
toned one company within its walls [ feel con-
fdent that this post is now almost impregnable
against any force that will probably attacaA it from
sea-" On the 9th of July, Major Thompson of
the Engineers, reports: off the laboring force at
Hatteras is continued, and the necessary armament
and materials for the execution of the work prompt
ly furnished, that Fort would be placed in COM
pete state of defence in the course OF the month
of July-whch would efectually prevent the en-
trance of a hostile feet through that Inlet-and
thence by light draft boats into Albemarle sound"
On the 10th of July he writes: 81 now consider
this Inlet secure against any attempt of the enemy
to enter it,"
On the goth of July-'I have no fears of any
hostile vessels being able to enter this Inlet at
this time" On the 2lst Of June-Gen. Gwynn
writes: 81 have much pleasure in informing you
chat the coast defences ares progressing quige as
rapidly as could be expected, considering the ex-
tent Of the coast, and the quantity OF ordnance
transported, which has been in great measure
overcome Just now there is greater need ofsol-
diers than anything else besides, while nothing
else is so indispensable.
On the 23d Of July, Major Andrews then in
h3
well built, with eight guns mounted The mask
ed battery at the camp will be ready this week if
the weather permits. At present we have a fair
supply Of ammunition, both for the fort and for
small arms"
In August, Commander Muse writes: "The
defence at Hatteras, well worked will be sufficient
to keep the enemy from there"
On the 29th of June, the Convention having
transferred the whole Coast Defences, the Navy and
conduct of the war generally, to the Confederate
Government, a messenger dispatched with
certified copy Of the ordinance which was deliver
ed to the President, and the 1st Of July, Capt.
G. VIC. Lee, of the Engineers was directed to in
spect the public works here. He arrived on the
4th of July, and proceeded to the coast, nothing
having been done by the Confederate Govern
ment up to the time Of his report, the Goth Of
July His report has not been transmitted to us;
but, from newspaper account we extract so
much Of the report as refers to Hatteras. The
report says: "The redoubt is well constructed
and nicely Finished and is also conveniently ar
ranged in its bomb proofs, magazines and filing
rooms, all of which are dry and we'll ventilated.
Six cisterns to hold 5000 gallons each, are to be
introduced into the parade of the redoubt" Among
the guns on hand were two 8-inch sea-coast how
itzers and fourteen 32pounder navy guns Of 81
cwt, but only eight were then mounted. There
were 125 kegs of cannon and rife powder, COZ
pounds cannon cartridges, 1000 friction tubes,
s 900 percussion caps for small arms, ninety seven
8-inch shot, one hundred 8-inch SHE'LL seven hun
dred and fty-four 32-pounder shot, ten 81 ioand-
er shell, and forty-oight 12-poundcr shot
On the 22d OF July, communication ad-
dressed to the President, suggesting that we might
possibly relieve him by carrying on the fortifca-
tions at Wilmington by advancing the necessary
funds on the deposit of fifty thousand dollars in
Confederate bonds. They received here on
the Goth of August On the 31st Of July Mr. j.
d. Whitford Ordnance Officer at Newbern, was
directed to make a requisition on the Confederate
Government for the proper supplies Of ordnance
stores for the coast defences. 1t was done. On
the 10th Of August, the secretary of war acknowl
edged it's receipt Since the bombardment of
Hatteras, sufficient supplies have been sent to
Fort Macon, and it has been victualled for six |
months. Notwithstanding the ordinance of the
Convention, it was not thought prudent to stop al
together the expenditures the coast, and on the
18th Of July, Gen. Gwyn instructed, that "ex-
penditures on the part Of the State mus be con-
fined strictly to the employment of the present
force of laborers upon the progressing works"
While in Difference to that body no new works
we're projected.
On the goth of July Commodore Barron as
sumed command of the Naval forces in the Sounds,
composed of the five gun-boats sold by US to the
Con ederate Government.
Brig. Gen. Gatlin, who under a commission
from the Confederate States commands the whole
coast defcnces, was the southermost part of his
command, and Gen Gwynn having been dropped
On the Goth of August, by force Of the ordinance
IF the Convention, there was no General Officer,
either Of the State or Of the Confederate forces
IN the Albemarle or Pamlico.
[ trust you will not think it intrusive, if I ven
ure to suggest that with a sea-coast Of 800 miles
here is need Of more officers Of that class, | am
aware however you have no authority to make |
such appointments
Appended to this report is the official account
IF the evacuation of Fort Oregon, by Engineer
Morris, to which | refer you.
No report from Ocracoke has been received, ex- I
;eps verbal one that it was evacuated, its guns
piked and the public property destroyed.
1t is a very strong position susceptible Of de- /
ence seaward, and the loss Of Hatteras makes it
now vastly important to US that it should be /.
leld
On Saturday, with your appreciation, dispatch |
ID Lieut. Crossan, late of the Navy Of North Caro-
ina, who had volunteered the service, with flag
# truce to Hateras, with view OF taking off our
wounded and ehecting an interview with our cap
ured officers Unfortunately they had sailed .
Northward. The reply ofthe officer in command ,
# the Z. S. Forces, is herewith transmitted /
Lieut. Croasan and Lieut. D1vall remained in our
Naval service, until the Goth of August, when
heir steamers were transferred to Commodore |
Barron [ avail myself of this opportunity of ex-
Pressing my sense of their very energetic conduct
Inder perplexng difficulties in the sounds, and it
source of real regret that from circum-
tancaS Ue cannot avail ourcalvas of their further