Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-10-09
COMMODORE BARRONS REPORT.
U. S. FFAG SHIP, MINNESOTA,


SIR:-I have the honor to report the surrender of
Fort Hatteras with its garrison, on the 29th inst,
to the combined naval and military forces unoer the
command of Flag officer Stringham, and Major Gen.
eral Butler of the U. S. service
On the 2Sth inst, having arrived at Hatteras In
let, in the steamer Winslow. received a message
from Col. Martin, commanding the 7th regiment N.
c. volunteers on shore, that he wished to hold
conference with me. immediately went to Fort
Hattcras accompanied by Col Bradford Colonel of
Artillery and Engineers, and Chief of Ordinance of
North. Carolina, and Lieut. Murdaugh ard Sharp,
Z. S. Navy found the Colonel very much ex-
hausted from exposure and hard fighting, which
had lasted from 8, A. NJ, till after dark during
which period of time he had been driven from Fort
Clark (ater spkng the guns) to Fort Hatteras, the
ammunition in the former magazine having been ex-
pended.
Twas requested by him and Major Andrews, CON-
handing the post to assume command of the Fort
to which l assented, Col Bradford volunteering to
assist me IN the duties Of defence. In assuming
this grave responsibility, was not unaware that we
could be sheed out of the Fort But expecting
from Newbern the arrival of regiment of N. c.
volunteers at or before midnight, (he fleet having
put to and appearances indicating bad weather)
we designed an attack on Fort Clark, threequarters
Of a mile distant from Fort Hatteras, which had
been taken possession Of by party landed from the
shipping, but unfortunately the regiment did not
arrive until the following day, after the lombard
ment had commenced and when the time came
that l deemed evacuation surrender unavoidable,
the means Of escape was not at my command.
On the next morning, at TAO A. NJ, the fleet,
consisting of Minnesota Wabash, Susquehannah,
Cumberland, Pawnee and Harriet Lane, (other steam
being in Company took their position and OPEN
ed Ere. In addition to the batteries of the ships,
the enemy had during the night erected battery
OF rhed guns, near to Fort Clark, which also open
cd on us.
During the first hour. the shells of the ships fell
short We only fired occasionally to ascertain
whether our shot would reach them, and wishing to
reserve our very limited supply of ammunition till
the vessels nigh: find it necessary to come nearer
But they got the exact range Of the 8, 10, and II
inch guns and did not find it necessary to alter their
positions; whilst not shot from our battery reach
I'd them will, the greatest elevation we could get
This state of things, shells bursting over and in
the fort every few seconds, having continued for
about three hours the men were directed to take
shelter under the parapes and travases. and called
a council of officers, at which it was unanimously
agreed that holding out longer could only result in
great loss of life without the ability TO damage
advcrsares; and just at this time, the magazine was
reported on fire. shell having fallen through the
ventator of the Bomb Roof" into the room ad-
joining the principal magazine. | ordered a white
flag to be shown when the firing ceased; and the
surrender was made upon the conditions of the &C
companying articles of capitulation:
The personel of the command are now prisoners
of war; OH board this ship, where everything is done
to make them comfortable possible under the cir
cumstancc-Flag Officer Stringham, Captain Van
| Brunt and Commander Case extending to US char
acteristic courtesy and kindness. We are to be
landed at Fort Hamilton, New York harbor
The gun navy carriage was manned BY eight
men from the Winslow and few volunteer soldiers,
and commanded by Lieut.. Murdaugh, assisted by
Mdshpman Stafford. of the Ellis. lregret to state
that Lieut. Murdaugh had his arm severely shatter-
! ed. Lieut. Sharp, my Flag Lieut., was knocked
down by shot and hurt in the head, not severely,
trust, though suffering to day from its effects
One man was killed at the navy gun and the car
rage disabled Lieut.. Murdangh was taken, by d.
! rectlon, to the Winslow, and has escaped being
made prisoner. So far as ascertained, there were
on this day. two killed, twenty-five or thirty wound
ed, and many others slightly touched.
have the honor to be, sir,
Very respectfully, your obd't serv't
S. BARRON.
Flag officer commanding Naval Defenccs atioat
of Virginia and North Carolina.
The Honorable S. r. Mallory, Secretary G. S.
Navy, Richmond, Virginia.