Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-10-10

Letter from Hatteras nile


IF Sea- Hatteyas
hfef-A Storm al Sea, dc.
HArTERAs INLET, Sept. q. 1861.
Ed. JOURNAL: We encamped one day
near Fortress Monroe. when orders came
to move to Fort Hstteras. Our stay was
SO short that had not time to inspect this
renowned fort. or visit the neighborhood
OF Hampton and its ruins. Near the Fort
Secesh has left its mark in the shape of
biackened timbers. ruined hous S, and des-
clate gardens. Four camps were around
us-2Oth New York (German) 10Th Mas
sacbusctts. 46th Pennsylvania. and rifle
regiment. A strong force is stationed at
Newport News. General Wool visited
our camp. and spoke highly of the appear
ance of the regiment, though would whis-
per here that the boys need new uniforms
and overcoats very badly. The scene at
night-:he many fires gIittering ia the
camp. was strange and pleasing. The
boys all seemed at home ON the sacred soil
Of Virginia. The water scenery sroand
the fort is beautiful. and we would willing
ly have stayed some time in camp there.
We were 10th to leave SO cheerful spot
an immense amount of ammunition and
provisions are accommodating at the fort.
and General Wool is pushing matters with
his well known vigor.
Thursday night we left the fort on the
steamer S. r. Spsu.ding. The regiment
was drawn mp in line on the beach until
the baggage was loaded; then it marched
aboard. The paddles moved. and away
we are, of into the eneny's rear, way down
in Carolina.
1t was strange sight to most of our
boys-.this first glimpse Of the sea-
Schools of little fishes were circling about
the surface of the water. porpoises plung-
ing to and fro. flying fish darting around.
The fort was practicing with bombs. You
hear the explosion. lock into the air, and
. puff of smoke shows where the bomb
bursts, which gradually sails away and
dissolves into thin air.
The Colonel is indcfatigablc in seeing to
the comfort of his men, and eager for q
battle. Long may he wave. 1t would as
tonish you to see how well the volunteers
live. Mr. Russell speaks the truth when
he says that no Government in the world
feeds its soldiers as we'll as Uncle SAM
Our ship is heading east now and pass
ing the capes Of Virginia. The long
: swells of the Atlantic begin to be felt: the
| land has disappeared in the dark night;
tired soldiers lie strewed about the boat.
backwoodsmen that never saw old Neptune
storm; the breeze blows sitter from the
east. and da ger exists Of sea sickness be-
fore morning.
Some of you quiet fellows living costly
on farms, ought to go around with us. and
see what great country you have. and
how well worthy it is to be kept together.
, The ship, as she plunges through the wa
, ter, leaves long trails of light in her wake.
caused By the phosphoric matter in the
water. We are past the capes-the open
> sea is all around us. ''To-bed" is the
signal for the night, and Hatteras to-mor-
row.
, HArrERas IsLEr.-At nine this morn
ing the light house was to be SEN on the
beach. A heavy gale was blowing, and
the breakers running high, rendering lead
ing very dangerous. Heavy squalls every
little while woul PISS rs. and our pilot
seemed to be 10th to try the narrow en-
trance over the bar just then black
squall showed itself to seward. 0ar ship
headed for the breakers, just grszed the
bar, and we are anchored abreast of Fort
Hatteras. in the Inlet, just beyond sandy
point.
+; This sandy beach extends sloEg the
: whole coast of North Carolina. forming q
1 natural break water, and Pamplico Sound
: and Albemarle Sound furnish the interior
e water navigation.
: A man was fishing in the surf as we en-
! tered. He had bite. threw the line ovel
S his shoulder, and hauled out FISH rs big
IS as himself
0 The steamer Pawnee lies here, with l,el
II big guns looking mischief. There art
g several smaller steamers. and one or two
: men of war lying outside.
l. Fort Hatteras is small fort, in fact ,
It redoubt. built of earth, and sodded. /
!. mounts some eight guns, and command
y the entrance of the Inlet. A number o
n tents and few shanties arc clustered abou
70 it. It's principal importance is in the har
Dor which it guards.
T. Fort Clark is a smaller fort abont on
,. quarter of mile north of Fort Hatteras
having larger number Of buildings clus
tered around it. and from its higher local
. ity affording better winter quarters.
D. 1t seems to be a good joke that INCL
IS Sam should let the rebels go to the troubl
:. and expense of building these forts an
stocking them with material. and tax
them right away. Our regiment was part
= ly supplied with muskets captured at thi
fort.
:, This is tie most desolste spot the ey
~ ever beheld. 1t blows great guns most c
- the time. and when it don't, the san roast
:. you. The chief productions are san
a crabs. wrecks. and dilapidated men.
The beach stretches away in long nal
/. row strip o 10 feet to half mi wide
: for hundred miles. broken here and ther
I. by narrow inlet. 1t is lucky we ran il
= for now, outside the snow-caps Of the su
y are raging in fury. the equinoctial is upo
- us. and no vessel could live near the coa'
" to night, or make q safe harbor in an
!, port. The squalls grow thicker and thicl
!. err in the East. and the wind wills ties Iii
y thousand locomotives.
i We are going to take position on son
:: point near here. You will hear from n
- again soon. SO good night. ss..;.