Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-09-11
From Hatteras.

GAOAA 4AdOOOAdo
Later accounts vary but little from the
statements published in our last, concerning
the unfortunate capture of Forts Clark and
Hatteras, and our brave volunteers there
Fort Clark was first attacked. 1t is a small
fertilization about three-fourths of a mile
above Fort Hatteras, and was abandoned on
the first night of the attack-the 800 SOL
diers there making their way to Fort HATTIE
ras. On the next morning the enemy's pow
erful guns opened fire on Fort Hatteras, the
war ships keeping out at q distance beyond
the reach Of the guns of the Fort-their guns
being 64-pounders, while urs were only 80
Founders. Shot and shell were literally
rained down into Fort Hatteras, where some
500 men were huddled together in a space
$50. But our brave boys continued the con-
test until IL o'clock, when all their balls and
shells were exhausted and they were COM
PEELED to capitulate. During this fight the
Harriet Lane ventured within the range of
our guns and received a ball which struck
her fair and square, producing an opening dis
tinctly visible from the Fort, causing her to
retreat in hot haste. The Yankee accounts
say she was grounded on a sand-bar, and
her loss was feared-but if lost, it was doubt
less owing to the shot she received from our
guns.
Lieut.. CrosSan, who went to Hatteras on
the 1st instant as the bearer ola flag o~ftruce,
for the purpose of recovering our dead and
wounded, returned here a day OF two after.
wards, and reports that he was not permit
ted to land, but was boarded by Lieut.. eros
by, to whom he delivered his letters, anC
from whom he received a reply to the State
authorities from Commodore Rowan, of tn,
Pawnee's Senior Officer. We Tossed in killed
Z, and 26 wounded. Three OF the wounded
have since died. The resid ne of the woun
ded and the prisoners (650) were embarke'
upon the Flag Ship Minnesota, and sent t
New York. The Susquehanna, Pawnee an
four other vessels are at Hatteras, with
force on shore. Two other vessels wer
North with the Minnesota, and the residu
of the squadron proceeded South. Neithe
Macon nor Caswell have, so far, been men
aced, and the presumption is that the vesse
: have resumed their station in the Blockadir
| Squadron.
! Hatteras was no regular fertilization, b
was simply a sand battery. 1t mounted
long 32's and two 8 inch guns. A ten in
Q gun had been sent them, but unfortunate
n did noe reach them until a day or two befc
the bombardment, and was not mounted.
" All accounts agree that the Yankee 81
diers now quartered on Hatteras Island, "
:, have a most unpleasant situation, if they
u be confined to that locality. 1t is a drea
=, barren spot, composed chiefly of sand.
NC ring the latter summer and early fall mont
rs it abounds with mosquitoes remarkable al
% for size aud blood-thirstiness, and during
winter the winds from Old Neptune swe
r. across the island with a fury and keenn
against which the thickest of garments
20, fer bat poor and Inadequate protection
'ad Another insurmountable obstacle is the
leu tire absence of fresh water, SO important
IN drinking and culinary purposes. Every
ne used by our troops has been carried f
Newbern, a source to which the Yankees
not possibly resort.
- An army to protect Washington, whic
- situated at the head of Pamlico River, al
son strong garrison at the mouth of the N,
River, which commands the approach to \
bern, will secure these two places from
mas marauding expeditions which the var
'ps. may attempt. Notifications have beer