The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-08

Winslop, DC
| State of n. Carolina, Executive Department,
Raleigh, Sept. 5, 1861.
Hon. ". T. DoRTCH,
| Speaker Of the House Of Commons:
SIR: In reply to your call for information in
my possession relative to the capture of Fort Hat
teras and measures taken for the defence of the
fort, submit the accompanying reports and ex-
| tracts from correspondence
On Monday, Goth August, about midday, the
expedition sailed from Fortress Monroe. and was
Immediately telegraphed of it by Gen Huger,
Commander of forces about Norfork, but the
telegraph did not reach here until Tuesday, at IL
o'clock, A. NJ. I Immediately telegraphed to
Wilmington and Newbern, apprising the different
commands OF 1t, and also to Gen. Huger, that he
would send any assistance that was needed at
Oregon OF Hatteras. [ Immediately ordered all
the Volunteer forces that were organized in the
State down to the exposed positions on the coast
Col. CampbelPs 18th Regiment State Troops and
Col. Fance's 25th Regiment Volunteers. Lieut.
| Col. Singletary's Battalion. and Capt. Brem's
Artillery, and Capt. Moore'8 Flying Artillery were
sent 20 Washington.
Gen. Huger very promptly sent over forces and
took possession of Roanoke Island which be is now
fortifying-and which Will efectually command
the entrance into Albemarle Sound.
l have sent all the force which is now at nv
disposal to the protection of the coast, but Volun-
tecrs are daily offering, and large force will soon
be in readiness for futher aid Gen Gatlin of the
Confederate Army is in command of the field, and
Gen. Anderson has charge Of the coast.
From the accompanying report Of the Military
Secretary. you Will see that Fort Hatteras has
been but recently built under every disadvantage
Of its remote, isolated position, and very limited
commerce to supply even the most ordinary mater
ias necessary for its construction-but the report
Of every officer in command or in connection with
it has pronounced it capable of defending itself
1t has been 9arrisoned according to the direction
of officers III charge, and all the guns have been
furnished to it that was deemed necessary for it
except the long ranged guns which could not be
procured. At the time Of attack it had supply of
men and ammunition, and was reinforced from
Ocracoke Station till it had more men than could
be protected in the Fort. It was aided in its
defence by its officers, the officers of the Regi-
ment, the highest artillery officer of the State,
Colonel Bradford, and the commanding officer of
the Confederate States Navy, Commodore Barron,
with full supply Of men and ammunition and the
defence conducted by the highest officers in the
service, and supplied with every requisition that
had been made for it except the long range guns,
which could not be procured. [ don't see that
any censuEe attach to the State authorities for
its capture. And as for the garrison, it sustained
itself for day and half under the most formida-
Ole assault that has ever been made on any for
tifcaion in our country, and we have the testimo-
ny of the officers Of the fleet that the garrison
fought bravely and galIantly. We are prone when
disaster occurs to lay the blame on those in CHARGE
but common justice requires that all the circum-
stances should be we'll weighed before either the
preparation Of the fortfcation the defence of the
garrison should be censured A reference to the
great array and strength Of the armament which
assailed it, which if foreseen could not have been
provided for, will most readily account for the
disaster. We cannot command the guns that can
fairly contend with those which assailed Hatteras
either in strength or number.
After the capture of Hatteras, the Forts at
Oregon and Beacon Island, have been evacuated
under circumstances which cannot be approved. |
Neither Of these Notifications have been taken or
even approached by the enemy, yet they have been
abandoned without orders, and the public proper
ty in them has been destroyed.
| will conclude this communication by remind |
ing you that reverses must be looked for during
war. We cannot always hope to be successful
but the part of patriotism and prudence is to turn
reverses to account, and to rise stronger from
misfortune
In the exigencies of our situation, battling for
our dearest rights, our independence and our
homes it is far better to close ranks and act
together with concert and union than to indulge |
in elimination and censures
With the accompanying Documents from Col. |
" arren Winslow, Military Secretary.
Respectfully submitted
HENRY T. CLARK.