The national Republican., 1861-11-12
rHErwnsrInrn1 INDIANA pEoIMENT

THETwENTIETB INDIANA REGIMENT
AND THE STORM AT HATTERAS.
This regiment, which has been stationed at
Hatteras Inlet, has returned to OId Point.
They have had an arduous duty to perform,
and have seen more hardship than any regl- |
ment now In the field. They we're cent to
Hatteras during the warm season, and took
only their summer clothing but by the mid
die of September the cold sea breeze admon-
ished them that the season had changed, and
that thick coats must supersede their light
ones. The Government, mindful Of their ne
cessities, sent them new overcoats, but they
were all taken with the tug boat Fanny, aud
they were obliged to continue upon this cold
and inhospitable coast with but little clothing.
and that little gradually becoming less. Every
day they expected supply by the forthcom'ng
steamer. and at last their hearts were nude
glad by the arrival of the Spaulding with
large load Of provisions and clothing. She
spproached the wharf amid the cheers of the
suffering regiment. and that night discharged
part of her cargo. But, alas for their hopes,
before the dawn of the next day terrific
storm swept along the coast, and Hatteras,
stormy as she is, never saw one 80 aesolating
or destructive.
During the night TIE waves from the oc an
hogan to sweep over the island (half q mile
= wjde) into the Sound and before daylight tn ae
two bodies of water were united. Not SPOT
Of land was to be seen. All the lower portion
of the island, wher, Forts Hatteras and Clark
are situated, was under water, and go sudden
! was the upheaving and so violent the storm
that all chances of escape for the soldier were
cut of before the morning light came. TWAS
utterly impossible for any assistance to re"h
them from our feet, 30 terrible was this Hate
ras storm. And IL was not until breaker
. swept across the island, carrying men, tent,
shanties, and every creeping thing with II. that
y the soldiers were aware Of the presence of q
s great food. Men were suddenly washed out OF
their beds, and found all their clothes (wha'
A few had undressed) borne by the water to the
Sound. Live stock, such as pigs, chickens
horses, cattle, dogs, cats, and cooking uten,ils
d lumber. driftwood, boxes, barrels, trunks, shan
t es, were carried forward, together with mer
| on them and in them, some jumping out o.
windows, some cutting their way though the
roof, Others jumping off iuto the water, which
in many places, was over their heads in depth
and making for box or barrel In order t.
reach the roof of shauty still standing. On
this moving. mass, giving orders to this floating
N army of men, who with gun In one hand ant
with the other hanging on to some kind OF III
object, kept themselves above water TIT
most mournful sight of all. however, was Il
witness the moving of the sick, some Of whom
were in dying condition before the storm
). came They were carried on cots from plac
to place on the shoulders of men, who wer'
y wading through water nearly neck deep
Y | A th. IF oil ihl (nnvprnmant n
's erty is stored, wholesale destruction tool
Al place. Provisions of every kind were saol
!" ahoat Barrels of crackers, bread, sugar, pork
e, beef molasses, beaus, potatoes, fish, box's o
,r candles soap, clothing, and in fact everything
required for an Prmy was seen to go with tn
q. noJd, with the buildings containing them, in
Of very dilapidated condition. Nearly bali ~
y much needed freight Of the Spaulding wa
- placed on the pier, and went, with the wavr
l. Of the ocaan, within view of the soldiers, who
,o with fearful eyes and shiverng forms, bebel'
~ their clothing swept out TO sea.
At last the food was ut Its height, and fo
y two hours Col. Brown, of The goth, and officers
II were 10 great su pense. 1t was very eviden
r that q new inlet below Fort Clark had beel
d made during the night. which entirely cut oi
in their escape; and as the waves were rushin,
|" into Fort Clark, it was apparent that all mus
y m .et with a watery grave II the water con
n tinued to rise at the same rate for two hours Il
- come. Fortunately. the country was spare,
o. from hearing of such horrible t'dings as wa
le momentarily threatening the lives of thes
OF loyal soldiers.
After the storm had abated, narrow ridg
OF of sand beach was discovered above Fort CLARK
te which was hailed with wild delight by the gal
liant HoOsiers, who, but q few minutes bef0rt
" were making preparations to save tbemaelve
If possible, from fearful fate. When the It'd
went down, il left quite little spot for tb
-, half-drowned and exhausted men to walk upo
~ and build some camp fires, which enable
he them TO cook q scanty meal from what feN
fragments of provisions had been rescue
= from the water. All was devastation al
~ ~ ruin; the entire camp was made desolat
.n l aud when the storm had passed away the ga
II. IN liant regiment was left In most deporabl
Nv condition Half their new blankets, Shirts an
ne no socks were swept away by the food befor
" they were delivered, They were left with bl
"a one shirt each to their backs. and a summe
4 suit, furnished them by their State when fir
vi sworn into the service Of the Government
y. They were obliged to go to bed in their w
VI vi clothes, which were in the most filthy cond
", W. ton, not having been able to wash garm
h' for the want Of change. Their destitute col
un dition attracted the attention and sympathy
'' the poor islanders, and they offered to shal
. with them their own scanty clothing. Sue
'n- being the condition of this gallant regimen
Cn the Government determined to send them
lIy Fortress Monroe, where they will receive q
y, the comforts they require, and the heartfe
~ applause of the whole country.