Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-10-24
The Battle at Hatteras.

Oh tue IuOruiD1 OF Tue AIN INST, ABOUT
daylight, the lookouts of Col Browns en-
campment, consisting of about eight hun
dred men of the Twentieth Indiana regi-
ment, located some thirty miles above this
place, reported six rebel steamers, with
schooners and flatboats in tow. all loaded
with troops, coming out of Croatau Sound
and steering straight for the eucampment.
There was no time ia be lost, for it was ev-
ident their numbers were too great to re-
sist without artillery, supported as they
would be by the guns Of the steamers
The Col. immediately dispatched courier
10 inform Col. Hawkins, at Fort Hatteras,
Of his situation, stating that he would re-
treat to the lighthouse on the Cape and
there make stand. -.-.,t. -..
Ike steamers landed about fifteen hun
dred men 8 miles above Col. Brown, and
then came on down, throwing shells into
the tents, destroying them, also a house
which had been used as hospital, killing
what sick remained therein. They then
passed on down and commenced landing
troops below, intending to cut off all re-
treat, and having them between their two
forces, make sure, no doubt, of bagging
Col. Brown and his men at their leisure
But they were not quick enough; for Col.
Brown hastily destroyed what he could
not carry off with him, and left on the
double quick, and succeeded in reaching
the Lighthouse about nine in the evening,
having performed rapid march through
the heavy sand.
Col. Hawkins, upon receiving the infor-
nation from Col. Brown, dispatched note
to Captain Lardner, of the Susquehana,
informing him of the condition of affairs,
and then started on the double quick, with
six companies of his Zouayes, TO reinforce
the retreating troops. Captain Lardner
Immediately got the Susquehana under
way, at the same time ordering the Monti-
celle to do the same, and proceeded up and
anchored in lighthouse cove, about eight
o'clock in the evening, within half gdnshot
of the light. When dayl broke the
troops on shore and tho sailors were with
in speaking distance of each other. Col.
Browns troops had not eaten anything
since the previous morning, which fact be-
ing made known to Cabt- Lardner, he i'm
mediately supplied them with provisions.
He at the same time ordered the Monti-
cello to double Cape Hatteras and pro-
ceed close along the shore, to see if he
could discover any traces of the enemy
He had proceeded but a short distance
when the rebels were discovered in full
plume and within half gunshot; the Mon
ticello opened fire on them at once with
shells that exploded with the utmost pre-
cision, scattering them in all directions,
killing and wounding them by hundreds.
The enemy consisted of one regiment
of Virginians. the 7th Georgia, and about
1900 North Carolina militia, making to-
tai of about three thousand men, under
the command of Gen. Huger, who, it is
said, was killed at the commencement of
the shelling process. Lieutenant COM
manding Braine says that he expended
to their account two hundred and eigh-
teen shells, every one of which did
good service. Two schooners and two
hatboats loaded with troops, which had
not yet landed, or else had just re-embark-
ed for their return, were entirely destroyed
by the explosion of the shells thrown into
them, killing and wounding all on board.
A shell entered the side of one of the
schoouers, and than exploded. filling the
air with fragments of the wreck and limds
of human beings. 1t is considered as be-
ing within bounds to say that at least five
bundled were either killed or wounded
Hundreds of the rebels were seen TO wade
out into the sound up to their necks, and
when they would hear she'll coming they
would crouch down under the water, and
remain as long as they could, and then
poke up their heads and listen for the ap-
proach of the next messenger of death,
and repeat the operation. A more perfect
trap could not well have been arranged for
their destruction. The belt of land where
they were discovered is not more than a
third Of mile wide, and separates Pamli-
co Sound from the ocean. Their steamers
attempted to come in close enough to take
them off, but shell or two sent ploughirg
after them induced them to keep at safe
distance. and their troops were left to their
fate. As soon as night set in the Monti-
cello ceased firing. During the night they
must have embarked, as the following
found no trace of their presence.
Tne following narrative is given by pri.
vate Haver Company H, of Col. Browns
regiment. He was captured by the rebels
but finally escaped: .-.-,-
He says that privates Bennett, White
and himself were busily engaged destroy
ing whatever they could, to prevent the
enemy from getting any plumber, but re-
mained rather too long, and were captured
by the Georgians. Bennett wss shot dead
in his attempt to escape. White and Ha-
yer were tied and put under charge of
Captain Wilson, of the Georgia 7th. To-
wards sun-down Capt. Wilson and several
other officers were cooking and eating
some ducks they had captured, or rather
stolen from the poor people residing there;
md, being himself very hungry, he ven
ured to ask them if they would give him
'ome after they were done. One OF the
,arty looked at him, calling him "a id
Black Republican son of b-h," and |
aid, 1--WE don't eat with niggers." A lit t
le before daylight the following morning, I
le succeeded in getting his hands clear,
hen released his companion White, and
rev small revolver that had remained b
botua,n -, - .l:.,. ,,,ho,, H., | /.