Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-09-13

Lieut.. Crosby returned, bringing with him
Captain Barron, Major Andrews and Colonel
Martin, Of the rebel forces, who 90 being re-
ceived on board the tug Fanny, Informed me
that they had accepted the terms proposed in
my memorandum.
informed them that as the expedition was
q combined one, that the surrender must be
mads on board the flag ship to flag officer
Striaghsm, as we'll as TO myself. We went on
board the Minnesota 70. that purpose, when
The articles of eapitalation were agreed on -
talreadY given
/ then landed aud took a formal surrender
of the ports Wifh all tue men and munitions Of
war. inspected the troops 10 see that the arms
bad been properly surrendered, marched them
out. and embarked them on board the Adelside,
aud marched my own men into the fort and
raised our flag upon il amid the cheers Of our
men and a salute of 13 gus which been shots
ted by the enemy.
The embArkailon Of tbe wounded, which was
conducted with great care, from temporary
wharf erected tor the purpose, took so long
that it was impossible for tie pilots to take
the Adelaide over the bar, thereby causing de-
lay.
may mention in this connection that the
Adelaide in carrying 10 the troops at the mo-
nieut that my terms of eaptalation were under
consideration by the enemy, had grounded on
toe bar, but by the active and judieious exer-
tions of Commander StellRagen, after the same
delay, was goa of.
At the seme time the Harriet iane, in an
attempt to enter the bar had grounded aud re-
maiued fast. Both were under the guns of
the fort. This, to mo, was a moment of the
greatest anxiety. BY these accidents galua
bic ship Of war and transport steamer, with
large portion of my troops on board, we're
within the power Of the enemy,
! ! had demanded the strongest terms which
| be was considering. He might refuse aud,
| seeing our disadvantage, renew the action
/ But determined not to a5ate title of what
| | believed to be due to the dignity Of the Gov
/ eminent, not even to give an offisial title to
| the officer 10 command of the rebels. Besides,
my tug was 10 the Inet, and at least | coul6
! carry 90 the engagement with my two riaed
SIX -pounders, well supplied with sawyer she'll
| Upon taking possession of Fort Hatteras,
! found that it mounted ten gus With four
| yet uDmounted, and one large ten-inch eolum-
biad all ready for mounting. | append the
official muster roll OF Col. Martin, furnished
by bin, of the offers and men captured by rs.
The position of the fort is and exceedingly
strong one, nearly surrounded on all sides By
water, and only to be approached by narsb
of 500 yards circuitousiy over long ueek Of
sand, wItbln ha If musket range, and over a
causeway few feet ouly in width. aud which
was commanded by two thirty two pound guns
loaded With grape and canister which Was cx.
pended in our salute.
1t bad well protected magazine and bomb
proof capable OF shelterng some three or four
hundred men. The parapei was nearly of an
oetagon form. enclosing about two thirds Of an
acre of ground, covered with sufficient traverA
ses and ramparts, upon which our shells had
made but little impression.
The larger work nearer this inlet, was known
as Fort Hatteras. Fort Clark, which was
abo1t 500 yards Dortherly, is square rcdonbt,
mounting five heavy gus aud two sx,PouDders'
The enemy had spiked these guns, but in a
very inefficient manner, upon abandoning these
works the day before.
had all the troops op shore at the time Of
the surrender of the forts, but re-embarked
the regulars and marines. / disembarked the
provisions, making with the stores captured
about FIVE days, fations for the use Of the
troops On consultation with flag Officer
teImioed to leave the troops and hold the
forts because of the strength Of she fortifca-
ton, its Importance, and because of the diff
Guilty of its recspture, if again in the posses
sion of the enemy. with a sufficient armament
until could get further instructions from the
Government.
Commodore Striugham directed the steamer.
Monticello and Pawnee to remain inside, ans
these, With the men 10 the forts, are sufficient
to hold The position against any force which il
: likely 10 be sent against it.
The importance Of the point cannot be over.
rated When the channel is buoyed ont, am
vessel may cary fifteen feet of water over i
with ease. Onee crossed there is safe bar
Dor and anchorage ia all weathers.
From shere the whole coast Of VrRiria anG
North Carolina, from NoEfolk to Cape LoOkou
is within our reach by draft vessels, wbict
cannot possibly live st sea during the uiDte
months. From il, offensive operations may b
made upon the coast Of North Carolina tc
! Boque Inlet, extending many miles inland b
Washington, NeWberD and BeauforE.
10 the language Of the Chief Engineer Of
| the rebels, Col. Thompson, In an official re-
port, sit is key of the Asbermarle. In my
Judgment il 10 q station sec0ud n importance
oBIy 10 Fortress MoDroe, on this coast, as
depot for cosling and supplies for the block
ading squadron, il is invaluable. AS harbo
for our coasting trade, or inlet from Che winte
STERN, or from pirates, ID is of the first impOr
tance."
BY boiling il Hatteras Light may again sen,
forth its cheering ray to The storm beaiel
mariner, Of which the soTse Than vandalism o
the Rebels dspriss hiD. Ii has but one draw
J back, want Of good water; but that cea
denser, like s.hc one now IN operation Al For
, tTess Monroe, st cost of few hundred dol
lars, win relieve. ! append 10 this report I