Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-12
OHciaI Report of the Attempt to Retak,
HaIteFns.
UNITED STATES STEAMER MoNT1CELLo
OFF CAPE HATTERAs, Oct, 3. 1861

l
OFF CAPE HATTERAs, Oct. 3, 1861. J
TO Flag officer L. NJ. GoldsJorough, &C., dc.
SIR have the honor to inform you that
in obedience to your order of this morning
stood through the inner channel of Hatteras
Shoals at half past twelve P. NJ aud stood
close along shore to the north ward, keeping
bright lookout from sloft. AT half-past one
P. NJ. we discovered several sailing vessels
over the woodland Kline Keet, and at the
same time regiment marching to the north
ward, carrying a rebel flag in their midst
with many stragglers in the rear; also, two
tugs inside, flying the same flag. As they
came out of the woods of Kline Keet, we ran
close in shore, and opened deliberate fire
upon them at the distance of three-quarters
of a mile. At our first shell, which fell ap-
parently in their midst, they rolled up their
flag and scattered, moving rapidly up the
beach to the northward. We followed them,
firing rapidly from three guns, driving them
up to clump of woods, in which they took
refuge, and abreast of which their steamers
lay.
We now shelled the woods, and could see
them embarkipg in small boats after their
vessels, evidently in great confusion, and
suffering greatly from our fire. Their steam
ers now opened fire upon US, firing, however,
but three shots, which fell short. Two boats
filed with men were struck by our shells and
destroyed. Three more steamers came down
the Sound, and took position opposite the
woods. We were shelling also two sloops.
We continued firing deliberately upon them
from half past one P. NJ. until half past three
Z. NJ, when two men were discovered on
the seabeach making signals to US. Suppos-
ing them to be two Of the Indiana Regiment,
we sent an armed boat and crew to bring
them off, covering them at the same time
with our fire. Upon the boat nearing the
beach they took to the water. One of them
was successful in reaching the boat--private
Warren @. Haver, Company H, Twentieth
Regiment of Indiana troops. The other man,
private Charles White, Company II, Twenti-
eth Regiment, Indiana troops, was unfor-
tunately drowned in the surf.
Private Haver informs me that he was
taken prisoner on the morning of the 4th;
that he witnessed our fire, which was very
destructive. He states that two OF our shells
fell in sloops loaded with men, blowing the
vessels to pieces and sinking them. Also,
that several of the officers were killed, and
their horses seen running about the track.
He had Just escaped from his captors after
shooting the Captain of the rebel companies.
He states that the enemy were in the greatest
confusion, rushing wildly into the water,
striving to get off to their vessels.
Private Haver now directed me to the point
where the rebels were congregated, waiting
an opportunity to get off. | opened fire
again with success, scattering them. We
were now very close in three fathoms water,
end the fire of the second shell told with
effect,
Six steamers were now off the point, one
of which ! recognized as the Fdnny.
! At twenty.fi minutes after five, in the
| afternoon, we ceased firing, leaving the en-
emy scattered along the beach for upward
/ of four miles. l fired repeatedly at the enc
mY's steamers with one rifled cannon, Par
rot thirty -pounder, and struck the Funny
think once. l found the range of this piece
much short Of what had anticipated, many
of the shot turning end over end, and not
exceeding much the range of the smooth
bore hirty.two-poupder.
/ inclose herewith the memorandum of the
amount of ammunition expended to-day.
l am, respectfully, your obedient servant
LIEUT.. D. L. BRAlNE,
Commanding U. S. S. Monticello
To Captain ]. L. LARDYER, Commanding Q
| S, SuSoushdnnd, off Cape Hatteras, n. G.