The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-24
NEWS FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST.

Expedition from Hatteras to Ocracoke
MISREPRESENTATION OF the Fort and Cam
| NON at OcracOke-Ioyalty OF the North
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Of Colonel
Hawkins to the Pcople-Tcrrible Effects
Ofthc RcbclIfOn-The Rebel Dcfences Mt
Beaufort and Roanoke Island-RePOrted
Rebel Expedition Against Fort Hat
tcras, &C., sc.
FORTRESS MONROE, Sept. o. 1861.
returned this morning by the steamer s. Il, spauId
ing, Captain Howes, from Haeras inlet, North Carolina
and bring advices up TO last evening.
On Monday last the 10th inst, an expedition sent
10 the Ocracoke Inlet to take aud destroy the fort
Beacon Island the entrance to the Sound. It was
under command Of Lieutenant Eastman, Of tho Pawncc
and consisted Of sixtyGye from the Coast Guard
under Ieutcnant Rowe and detachment Of sailors and
marines from the Pawnee in the ships launch. The
Coast Guard board the Fanny, which towed the
launch down. taking the inside passage The frgate us
quehnna and the Tempest went by 10 operate with
the inside but in consequence Of their great draft
they unable to approach enough to the fort TO
be Of service and they returned to Hatteras Inlet without
aiding the work. The Fanny able to approach
within mile of the fort, and the launch sent ashore
and carried the force which could be spared which eff
fected landing with safety. -
Tho fort found deserted but the enemy had but
successfully removed two heavy eight inch guns, and
transported them TO Newbern, where the rebels are
erecting three strong batteries.
Monday and Tuesday occupied in destroying the
pieces OF ordnance found in the fort, and by Tuesday
noon had destroyed rendered unservceable
eighteen long thirty and -four eight navy guns
On Tuesday afternoon at late hour, fires were built in
various parts OF the main bombproof and magazine and
the three smaller bomb proofs the curtains Of the
work The bombproofs, which constructed in the
most substantial and skilrul manner of heavy pine tim
Der and covered with sand and turf soon in flames
The torch also applied to the lighthouse on the
island and this with the immense fort, wrapt
in flames. The confagraon ragged turiousy all night,
the light being plainly visible thirty miles distant The
Fanny laid of at anchor until morning, and on wednes
day the fort having been completely destroyed, the
petition returned TO this point without the loss of man.
The destruction Of the fort and armament com
plee, and must involve the enemy in loss Of between
and three hundred thousand dollars. The fort
OF the largest the coast and could have been held
against any attack from feet il could not be ap-
preached within long by vessels Of deep draught
BIT the enemy were terribly frightened by the capture of
Forts Clark and Hateras, and ncontinenty deserted
their work the night following the loss Of the latter fort.
While the expedition OFT the fort, parties visited
the small villages Of Ocracoke aud Portsmouth, and at
the latter place discovered and destroyed two heavy
guns which had been mounted there Many Of the men,
women and children fed the villages on our approach
but, offered 10 injury to private property or in
suits TO those remaining before the expedition had left,
all returned.
We found the Union feeling very strong, and great
majority Of the residents Of both villages loyal the
government They complain Of outrages perpetrated by
the rebel soldiers, who plnndered and stole without
stint. No satisfaction for these wrongs could be OBJ
tanned from the rebel officers, who seemed TO regard
loyal citizens, those suspected OF harboring wish
for peace III subjects for their internal practices. All
seemed anxious TO the old Stars and Stripes raised
their villages, and all DESTROYS Of taking the
oath Of allegiance to the government, and ready
their duty good and loyal citizens Unfortunately
Colonel Hawkins had sufficient force under his com
mand to place garrison at Ocracoke and for that
it was found necessary to destroy instead
Of occupying the forts there He needs more
nen Immediately to operate to any advantage.
We found at Portsmouth young man by the name of
VIM. 7. Phillips, from Harwich, Cape Cod, Massachu
sets He had been captured off Ocracoke in the latter
part Of July, while in schooner, on his way to New
York by the prvateer Mariner and had been forced to
serve the State of North Carolina, first
Of b, transports OF the State and afterwards q
cook 10 the Washington Grays, company captured at
Fort Hateras After The capture of the latter work he
returned 10 PorsmOuA III schooner, ana the GUARDS
which placed him were Withdrawn tho
evacuation Of Ocracoke fort and he succeeded in landing
at Portsmouth. He there secreted by Union
when the rebels searching for him. and remained
safely in his retreat until took him and brought him
here He goes home tonight
He spent time at Newbern, and describes the
state OF affairs there as most melancholy Tho
poorer classes were destitute Of provisions, and
otherwise in the most needy condition.
The wealthy were burying secretng all their
specie and dsbursed shnpasters in its stead each one
having bank OF his own These promises pay were
almost worthless aud they could be used only at great
sacrifice There no law, and the poor grooming
under taxes They say that if the continues much
longer the poor viii rebel themselves and matters
into their hands The Union feeling was quite strong
at New bern but snothered. The Unonsts grow more
bold and defiant daily, and decrease of secession vio
fence was evident.
The revolution s going rapidly throughout the State
and the government will only the Unonists pro.
lection for time they will bring back North Caro-
lima to her Old moorngs. Union meetings had been hod
in Hyde and other counties, in which many Of the
influential and wealthy OF the country had partici-
paed Resolutions passed with great unanimity
expressive OF their intention to remain at home
approach offer resistance landing and fur
nish us with whatever they could in the way OF provi
sions, &c.
These facts are well authenticated To confirm the
people their good Intentions Col Hawkins issued the
following proclamation last Monday, which has
been extensively circulated the main land and the
good effects are already apparent
PROCLAMATION.
HEADQUARTERS, J
Fort CLARK, HArrERAs INLET, On c. Sept. 49, 1861.
THE NORTH CAROLINA.
The Colonel commanding the federal forces in
North Carolina having heard Of the erroneous impress
sion which exists among the inhabitants to the object
and purposes OF said forces would state that 1t
Of the object Of said forces TO plage punder. We
not to destroy but to secure peace and uphold the
laws Of the United States The rights Of property and
persons will be respected and protected and any fedora
soldier infringing upon either, will DO most severely
punished It is part of intention to against
and children. On the contrary, they shall be pro-
tecied with all the power under control Loyal ci
enjoy their homes property without fear of
molcsation. No law will be abrogated"or nterfered
with, unless 1t in conflict with law Of the
United states or the constitution All Others win be
obeycd and respected IL is with traitors and rebels in
arms, who are destroying peace and order, and in
citing rebellion that the federal forces to deal
We give you back law, order, the constitution,
your rights under it, and restore peace We call upon
traitors rebels 10 lay them down. and upon
good citizens who respect the law, to aid us in