The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-01
Mismanagsment at Hattcras Inlet.


A correspondent OF the New York Her.
aid, writing from Fort Clark, Hatteras In
let, October 9th, thus criticises the manner
in which affairs have been managed in that
section:
The value of this position has been lost,
or materially deprecated, by the neglect OF
the authorities to follow up the success
gained by its capture. There was too much
clap~trap about the affair. The General
who commanded the land forces, ard who
had as little to do with the success of the
operation as the common soldier, was by far
too anxious to exhibit his laurels to the
gaze of the New England public for the
public's good. Instead of following up the
advantage gained by more profitable and
more successful movements in the heart of
the enemy's country, ere the rebels had
recovered from the stunning blow received
at Hatteras, we see the grand feet
dispersed, and handful of men lett to gar
rison the forts, and act upon the defensive.
The enemy knew and felt that we had the
key to their State in our hands, and needed
hut the effort to open the State to our vic.
torious columns. We held the result for
better or worse in our own hands. We
chose inactivity and vainglorious Boosting
of what we did, and the golden opportunity
slipped from our very grasp. Now we
find ourselves crippled and on the defensive.
The Sound is covered with the enemys
gnnboats, and our weak and inefficient feet
ventures into the Sound with doubts and
fears. One boat has been captured, and
battalion of men forced to retreat over
long stretdh OF hot, deep sand from their
position, leaving all they had in camp to the
enemy. So we stand to-day. The enemy
has strengthened every weak point, and
threatens to sweep US from our hard earned
positions. While the enemy has twenty
we'll armed light draught gun boats upon
the Sound, and Roanoke Island strongly
fortified with force of men which may be
transported in twenty four hours TO any
portion of the coast, we are obliged to lie
near Our defences, anc waste valuable time
in inactivity and Incidence. What is i'm
peratively needed here-and the sooner the
authorities realize it the better-are more
men, light battery OF artillery, and dozen
light draught gun boats, heavily armed,
drawing nOI over lOuF lccl dtIu DIS last dS
possible. With these we may scour the
sound, capture the enemy's gum
boats, and take Roanoke Island,
and thereby gain a splendid and secure
harbor for our hotilla from fierce gales, and
destroying the canal between Norfolk and
Albemarle Sound, cut Off the most effect
ual manner, all communication by water
between Virginia and the seaboard States.
Without vessels of the character above de-
scribed, which could easily be constructed
from New York terry boats and put into
the Sound in fifteen days, we may as we'll
acknowledge rebel supremacy in North
Carolina, and withdraw our forces to more
suitable ATTITUDES. The Importance of this
fotilla cannot be too greatly urged upon
the Navy department. 1t must be sent
quickly If we would wish a stand point
upon this island. Every day increases dit
fculties surrounding an advance movement.
Let us see what will be done.