Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-09-11
,Oss. Coast Defence.---H at..r...


Surrender Of Fort Hatteras, says: 4
"tFhe ordinances of the Conyention of North Car
ciiss, the nslie brother of the Convention of Vir
sgfsis had kept the defences and military affairs OF
'that State IN the hands Of its own authorities till
the 10th Of August and then only were they turned
sovcr to the care of the Confederate Government"
The Conventional this State, on the 9th day Of
june passed ordinance providing for the transfer
of the FORTS navy munitions and defences generally
of the State to the Confederate government The
Goth day of August was fixed as the latest period
at which the transfer could be made by the Gov
ernor; and the ordinance expressly provided "that
it shall be the duty of the Governor to take inue-
date measures, and issue the necessary orders, to
carry into effect the foregoing provisions of this
ordinance" This statement of facts will show that
the Examiner is mistaken in assuming that the
Convention Of this State kept the detsnces" of the
State out Of the hands Of the Confederate gorern-
ment up to the Goth Of august If the dcfences
were not turned over at once and disaster has re-
suited from delay the blame does not lie at the door
of the Convention.
But what has been the result of the transfer?
Gen. Gatlin succeeded Gen. Gwynn on our coast
and Commodore Barron was placed in command at
Fort Hatteras. In Jews days thereafter the latter
place was surrendered the troops having been ref,s
ed an opportunity of meeting and capturing with
their small arms those Of the foe who had landed and
who encamped near the fort on the night preceding
the day on which the place was surrendered Gen,
| Butter, in his glorifcation speech in Washington
| City, says:
1.-The threatening aspect of the weather made it
necessary for us to draw off leaving upon the land
under the command of Col Weber, of the New
York Twentieth, who fought for the land of his
adoption as he would fight for the old fatherland of
| Germanv-leaving, say, three hundred and fifteen
of the United States troops upon the rebel shore
| with seven hundred and over of the enemy en-
trenched within five hundred yards of Them there
to blvouac under cloudy sky. without tents, with
out provisions, and without any of the appliances
necessary for safety or comfort save strong hands
| and brave hearts,
Why was it that the "seven hundred" were not
permitted to assa and capture the "three hundred
and filteen:' They could have whipped them in
half an hour and having captured them, they could
have taken them to the fort with them; and then,
if Stringham had continued the bombardment he
would necessarily have fired on his own men as well
as ours That our troops were most anxious to
tuceI WIFI small arms we entertain no
doubt, and left to infer that the Confederate
officer in command would not permit them to do so.
Then, too, Oregon has been abandoned under the
influence of Commander Hunter of the Confederate
Navy.
But the Examiner appears to be of opinion that
the Submissionists" as he calls them-or IN other
words, the former Union men of this State-have
had the control of affairs in this State and are re
sponsble for the disaster at Hatteras. The Ernm
liner was never more mistaken, and all its siurs
upon the former Union men of this State therefor.
60 for nothing. The "Aulic Council which We hae
here, and from the injurious influence of which thu
State is now happily relieved, as intensely Sc
cesson in all its plans, appointments, and action al
: the Examiner itself could have desired. The Con
vention passed an ordinance making ample provision
for defending the coast; but this ordinance inter
fered with the patronage and power Of our "Auli
Council" and, therefore, after an animated struggle
the ordinance reconsidered and rejected. Tn
, Examiners friends who composed our "Aulic Coun
Gil" determined that the coast should be defended
according to their plans, or not defended at all
The result is before the country. Fort Iateras ha
been captured, and much of our coast is exposed
But the Convention is not to blame for this. Tina
body did all it could, under the circumstances t
protect the coast.