The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-09-13
Geographical Sketch of Hatteras
and tho Vicinity.

.~u. dhu Tie lClulbY.
We have prepared briet sketch of tha
section OF our sister State which has beer
invaded by the Lincoln army. With tn,
assistance of very large map, which ma,
be found in our office, the great impor
tance of this movement Of the enem,
will beseen at a glance. The excellence
of this mop will at once indicate tn,
draughtsman, who has anticipated oul
wants on several previous occasions.
Cape Hatteras is the elbow of a trian
gular island, forming the seaward limit o.
Pimlico Sound. The whole series of is
lands which girdle the coast of North
Carolina are desolate and barren. TO the
northward, between the main island and
Narrow Beach Island, stretching down
from Cape Henry, lies Currituck Sound
fifty miles long. and two to ten miles
broad. West Of this. running inland, in
Aibermarle Sound, sixty miles long, and
from five TO fifteen miles broad; its water,
are fresh and not subject to tidal inhu
ences. These two sounds communicate
with Pimlico Sonnd, which lies south ot
Currituck; it is eighty six miles long, and
from ten to twenty broad, with general
depth Of twenty feet. But navigation il
much impeded by shoals within it. II
opens. to the ocean through Ocracoke In
let, which is considered the best naviga.
BILE pass north of Cape Lookout.
The entire shore Of these sounds is in.
dented by rivers and branches, which are
navigable for vessels of light draught.-
The Chowan and Roanoke Rivers empty
into Albermarle Sound; the former, which
is made by the union of the Nottoway
and Meherrin, admits small vessels to
| Murireesboro', in Hartford county, and
the latter is navigable, for similar crafts
for thirty miles only. Elizabeth City, on
the Pasquotank River, is also place oil
Importance. The Tar and Neuse Rivers
empty into Pimlico Sound. Washington
is the principal port on the former, and
Newbern on the latter. From the last
named port large trade in grain was
transacted with Charleston. Besides, there
was very large foreign and coast wise
trade in naval stores, lumber and grain
from the ports Of Beaufort, Edenton
Elizabeth City, Washington and Ply
mouth. .
Inland navigation is open to Norfolk
from Elizabeth City by tho Dismal SwamI
Canal. The most important point, within
reach Of the Yankee forces, is Beaufort, {
port OF entry, the best on the coast, hav
ing twenty feet Water on the bar. The
channel runs quite near the Shackelforc
Banks, on the point of which is ON eartl
work. Of the calibre of the guns we have
no information. Opposite, on Bogue Is
land, stands Fort Macon. This is regu
larly constructed work, of considerabl,
strength. At the time of its seizure b,
the Governor Of North Carolina, it wa
like Fort Pulaski, in Georgia--in ver,
unmilitary condition-but considerable
work has been done since, and it should
be able, with full garrison, and plent,
Of powder and shot, 70 make protracte
defence. From Morehead City, opposite
Beaufort. there is railroad to Goldsboro'
on the Weldon and Wilmington Road
This will enable the authorities to throw
large bodies Of troops on the coast; and
from reliable sources, we learn that an i'm
mense flotilla of coasting vessels, includ
ing some steamers, are available for an,
movements by water that may he decide,
upon,
We learn that large number of fami
lies are leaving their homes on the coast
with their slave and personal effects
Prompt and decisive steps should at one
be taken for their protection CAglcstO
Mercury, I'd.