Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-09-04
The Hatteras Affair.

The worst rumors in connection with this tragical
affair, when last paper went to press, have been
realized. Our brave soldiers from the Eastern part
of the State have been shamefully sacrificed. The
Federal feet composed of the steam vessels,
Minnesota, Wabash, Cumberland Quaker City,
Harriet Lane, Anacosta, and Penguin; and the
transports Philadelphia, Express, Adelaide, GeOr-
giana, and others, in all said to be fifteen vessels
left Old Point on Monday the 26th August, for our
coast Some of the papers stated that the fleet had
100 guns and 900 men. We learn from gen.
tleman just from Richmond, that on Saturday last,
on the bulletin boards of the Examiner, it was
stated that there were ZOO men. This formida-
BILE armament arrived off Hatteras Inlet on Tuesday
evening, and after accommodating commenced the
bombardment of Forts Clark and Hatteras.
Hatteras Inlet is situated on what is called the
North Banks, six miles South of Cape Hatteras,
and about Is miles North of 0cracoke Inlet These
Banks have been in existence from time immemo-
rial forming belt of sand-hills from the Virginia
line to the Cape Fear River, indented with inlets
and separated from the main land, by Currtuck,
AlSemarle Croatan, Psmlico Core, Bogue and Top
sail Sounds-these sounds varying from one to for
ty miles wide. Hatteras, which is connected polit
ically with Hyde Count, though separated from it
by Pamlico Sound, is thirty miles distant from the
main land of Hyde, and is ninety miles distant by
water from Washington, and about the same dis
lance from Newbern. At the time the Federal feet
arrived at Hatteras Col Martin the recently elected
Colonel of the 4th regiment was in command, Maj
Andrews OF GodsborO, commanding the batteries
From the data we have, the commander must have
had some twelve guns, eight at Fort latteras, and
four at Fort Clark, small battery recently erec-
ted about three-fourths Of mile Northeast of Fit
Hatteras. The guns were ali badly mounted, and
incapable of being worked to advantage. He must
have had one company from Elizabeth City, one
from Currituck, one or two from Martin, aud per-
haps one from Camden.
Col Martin dispatched a messenger to Beacon
Island, for four other companies of his command
which arrived there on Wednesday evening" viz:
The Washington Grays Capt. 7. Sparrow, Tar
River Boys, from Pitt, formerly commanded by Lit
Col. johnson, the HEREFORD Light Infantry, Capt
Sharp, and another whose name have net
With this small force and inefficient battery, he
determined to give the enemy battle About the
time the action commenced, Com. Barron Col.
Newborn. We learn that Col Bradford remarked,
before leaving Newbern, that he knew the fort was
indefensble before strong force, but he intended
to defend it or die in the attempt
The attack ofthe feet commenced at nine o'clock
on Wednesday, and was continued until shutdown,
the two little batteries calamity replying to them
all day. At night the feet seemed to haul off. We
had two or three small steamers lying in sight in
the Sound, ready to rescue our brave boys-;he
whole force might have evacuated the forts on
Wednesday night-but they refused to leave re-
solv ing to defend to the last The resolve show
ed their patriotism and their courage but it was an
error in judgment. No one but consummate block
head could even have expected or desired such an
attempt to be made by so feeble a force and such
inefficient batteries against such fearful odds. But
the readiness with which cowardly gas.nIen, who
never risk any thing themselves, denounce an act
of sheer prudence and wise forccaste to protect
force against loss of life, doubt kept those noble
fellows there to suffer martyrdom. During the
mile or two north of the Fort which cut off entire
ly all prospect Of escape by way of the banks
The commandment was renewed on Thursday NOR
ming at o'clock, with ten fold vigor. Every means
of protection to our men demolished The
guns of the steamers hailed shot and shell ncesslnt-
ly upon them, but boys stood at their guns re-
turning the enemy's shot the best they could. 1t
is believed several of the vessels struck but
the superiority Of the enemy S guns enabled him to
keep off at good distance. Our companies stood
for hours and took the ire-hail. The little steamer
IL Il Il
a few additional men, but it was too late to af.
ford relief Lieutenants Murdaugh and Knight were
wounded and brought off and some few escaped -
On Wednesday the damage done to our forces was
small; but on Thursday it was severe. The firing
continued till IL o'clock, when Fort Hatteras sur.
rendered; the guns of Fort Clark having been
slenced some time before and taken possession of by
the enemy. A gentleman OH board one of our little
steamers who witnessed the bombardment describes
it as being awlully terrific. When asked if there
was any rain there at the time he replied, mo
nothing but rain of hellfre!'
| The suppostion is-for we have no certain infor
nation as to what took place after the Fort surren
dered-that our loss was TO in killed and wounded
and that our entire force, consisting of seven oil
eight companies surrendered with their officers to
gether with Com. Barron Col Bradford Major An
drews, Col. Martin, 1t Col. johnson and Maj. Gil
liam Many of the men and officers were our frs
| young men in the Eastern counties. Beaufort Pitt
Martin, Washington, Hartford, Pasquotank and per
haps Camden and Currituck, are in mourning. lloW
deeply do We sympathize with them.
We learn that Beacon Island was evacuated OF
Saturday morning, and that the federal feet lef
Hatteras on Friday bound to the Southwark. W.
simply give these particulars as we heard them, bu
there is still mystery over this affair. We heal
no mention made whatever of any attack of our in
fantry upon the infantry of the enemy.
On Saturday morning Gov. Clark sent down Lieut.
Crossan as bearer of flag of truce, to ask for ou
| dead and wounded