Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-09-05
HATTERAS INLET FORTIFICATIONS
CAPTURED.
FORTRESS MONROE, Saturday, Aug. 81, Il

FORTRESS MONROE, saturday, Aug 81, 1861.
! The expedition which left Hampton Roads
| for the coast of North Carolina on Monday
last has resulted in one of the most splendid
achievements on record as connected with the
navy in particular.
Some delay attended the concentration of
all the ships and steamers, but on Wednesday
morning the Minnesota, the Wabash, the
Cumberland, the Susquehanna, the Pawnee.
the Harriet Lane, the Monticello beside
number of tugs and the transport steamers
Adelaide and Peabody, had arrived o: Hat
teraS Inlet.
The feet was in command of Flag Officer
Stringham, and the land forces Wete command
ed by Maj Gen. Butler
Within the last three months the Rebels
have erected two forts to guard the mouth of
the HatteraS Inlet, and under the protection
which they afforded Pamlico, Albemarle Sounds
and the connecting sounds had become the
rendezvous of privateerS
Through this direct connection with the
Chesapeake, Albemarle, Norfolk, and Virginia
communicated with the sea.
The bombardment was commenced at dis
tance of about two and a half miles by the
Minnesota on Wednesday at Ii a. m, and
she was soon joined by the entire feet.
The fire was incessant the forts responded
but seldom, and it soon became evident that
their guns could not reach the ships though
the Rebels might long hold out protected as
they were by their works.
When the bombArdment opened, the land
ing Of troops from the transports, by launches
and smaII-boats, commenced, under cover of
the guns of the Harriet Lane and Monticello
1t was more than an hour before the first
boat reached the beach, By this time the
wind had come up so that the surf ran high,
and though the greatest efforts were made,
only about three hundred of the forces were
Landed.
Every boat was either broken up or beach
ed, and notwithstanding nearly one thousand
men bad been placed on schooners, it was con-
siderad too dangerous to attempt to land them,
and they were returned to transports. Those
who reached the shore were thoroughly wet
Meanwhile the bombardmeut went on with
out cessation.
When this had continued about three hours
the flag of Fort Clark came down. and the
rebels retreated to Fort Hatteras, a large work
! below.
Soon after our forces on shore occupied the
abandoned fort and waved the Stars and
Stripes from the ramparts.
The Monticello had proceeded ahead Of
the land force to protect them, and had reach
ed the Iulet, when large fort of an octagon
shape, to the rear and right of the small bat
terry, mounting ten 32s aud four 8inch guns,
which had till then been silent, opened on her
with eight guns, at short range At the same
instant she got aground and stuck fast the
enemy pouring in fire, hot and heavy, which
the Monticello replied to with shell sharply
For fifty minutes she held her own, and final
ly getting off the ground she came out, having
been shot through and though by seven S-inch
shells, one going below the water line. She
fired 55 shells in fifty minutes, and partially
slenced the battery. She withdrew at dusk
for repairs, with one or two men slightly
bruised, but none killed or wounded.
On Thursday morning the feet took their
positions at about the same range, and at s
o'clock the Susquehanna opened the ball, and
in few minutes the entire fleet concentrated
its fire on Fort Hatteras
Our forces on shore were now in Fort Clark,
spectators of the scene Fort Hatteras did
not return the fire for nearly half an hour, and
its shots all fell short
The bombardment was continued without
ihtCi LASSiOuJ WHICH, aI nan pdoG eiCfeu, OuT
shells began to range on the magazine
white flag was displayed on the fOrt-our men
at Fort Clark, with loud shouts, started on a
double quick, and were met on the beach by
a flag of truce.
Capt. Nixon of the Coast Guard repaired to
the fort, and was met by the commanding
officer, who proved to be Commodore Samuel
Barron, late of the navy. He proposed to
capitulate by allowing the garrison TO stack
arms and retire, and the officers to retain their
sdearms. These terms General Butler, who
had entered the inlet on the steamer Fanny
instantly rejected, and demanded an uncondi.
tional surrender. These terms, after Council
of War, were accepted
BY the surrender we came in possession OF
one thousand stand Of arms, thirty-fve heavy
guns ammunition for the samoa large amount
of hospital and other stores, two schoonerS-
one loaded with tobacco and the other with
provisions one brig loaded with cotton, two
light-boats, two surf.h boats, &c.
The enemy's loss they allow to be eight
killed and thirtyfve wounded. Eleven Of the