Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-01-29

| "Au os q SudtcSIC point D
Quite number Of our contemporaries, in specializing
upon the probable designs of the Burnside exped-
t'oh upon the country bordering our Sounds in the
east nave, notwithstanding the assumed presence
OF the fleet in the Sound enlightened the public, if
not the enemy IN the geography Of that region In
some instances, suggestions have been made which,
perhaps may as well have been omitted at that par
ticular juncture
Now, that it appears, by merciful interpostion
OF Divine Providence the fleet has been non plussed,
II not damaged by the late storm on the coast be-
yoad the possibility, we hope, Of an onslaught upon
u.s. or at least of so early one as was anticipated,
IT may not be amiss for to make suggestions
winch may show more clearly the absolute impor
lance OF more complete state of defence. Indeed,
Should the fleet so far as to attempt to carry
out its purpose to assail now if indeed that was
It's original design, We have some hope that sug-
gest'on or two will not be altogether improbable,
even at this late period
1t is manifest, we think, that neither the State
nor Confederate governments have ever had full
conception of the magnitude Of the interests at
stake on our coast, Of the precise points most
important to be defended. In the early part of May
last, we happen to know that the attention of the
Executive of this State called specifically to
this subject. The impossLility as well as the inu-
tility of attempting to keep out formidable force
at llatteras strongly urged and the suggestion
made that all our coast defences above and be-
low Fort Macon and Caswel should be held simply
as outposts, requiring small expenditure for men
and munitions with means of escape but that the
amplest and most complete defences should he erect
ed below Wilmington, Newborn, and Washington,
and at Roanoke Island
Hatteras Inlet, nearly midway between Fort Ma
con and Roanoke Island, because of the more diff
cult navigation Of Ocracoke, may be said to be the
key to Albemarle, Pamlico and Core Sounds and
their tributaries. Core Sound, on account of its
shalowness and the naccessibility of the main land
bordering it, is Of little consequence to the enemy
except in rear attack upon Beaufort with light
steamers Batteries are erected, understand
to cut off such an attempt. But the possession of
fatteras by the enemy, in the absence of the most
complete deences upon Ncuse and Pamlico Rivers
and at Roanoke Island, nigh: give him entire con-
troll of the grasary of the South. Craven, Beau
fort, Hyde, Tyrrel Washington, Currituck, Cam
den, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, Gates,
Hartford, BERTHE, Martin, and even Northampton
and Halifax Counties, without these defences, are
all laid open 10 Ills ravages. These counties
have heretofore furnished Norfolk Wilmington,
Charleston and Savannah larger amount of corn
than they obtained from all other sources, besides
the large shipments they made to Baltimore, New
York and Providence. The product of surplus
Co., H., a.. =,
the entire loss Of the whole fishing interest of these
waters amounting to several millions, besides af-
tording one-half of the support of large number
of INDECENT persons, who scarcely obtain it from
any other source. All these sources of wealth and
comfort to our Eastern people might be cut off, by
the possession of these waters by the enemy, not
to calculate the de ructon of property and the per-
sonal injury our people must sustain, from the
thieving and destructive habits Of our foe.
But within these waters are two stragetic points
Of immense value to US, and ought to be protected
at all hazards Newbern, of these points, at
the junction Of the Neuse and Trent rivers is about
ninety miles by water from Hatteras with no nat,-
! raj distractions to navigation after passing the
swash at llatteras. The possession of Newbern
simply as depot, or for Its destruction, would not
be worth the hazard of taking it; but that point
once gained places the enemy in the rear Of Fort
Macon and Beaufort harbor and gives him control of
the Atlantic Railroad. We are far from thinking
however, that much would be gained except its de-
strIction and possibly the capture of Fort Macon,
even if he could take Newborn; and we have some
hope, that after the long warning which the author
tiles have had, and the money and labor expended
there, that the enemy would fail. But grant him
the possession of that place, with the immense
force Of Gen. Burnside, We apprehend his Roadway
would be readily checked He could scarcely get cut
ofsight of that place westward were our forces which
could be well spared, be brought against him. An at
! tack upon Washington, which lies on Pamlico or
Tar river about eighty miles from Hatteras if sue
ceSsful, could secure no advantage to the enemy,
except the destruction of the place. These points,
however, Will be defended to the bitter end and
trust the authorities have made all the necessary
arrangements to visit upon the enemy utter ami
! hation
Roanoke Island is, beyond doubt, the most i'm
! porant strategic point in these waters. Whether
the enemy designed an attack upon it to make
rear movement upon Norfolk, or to harrass and de-
spoil the country, his success in either respect would
be severely damaging. This island lies about forty
miles north of Hatteras, at the foot of Albemarle
Sound, with Croatan Sound on the west, lying be-
tween the Island and the Tyrrell shore. 1t is easy
of access by water, with no natural distractions to
I any sized vessel which can be gotten over the
swash, "a shoal with about eight feet water) at Hat
teras On the east, the island is cut off from the
| Nags Head banks by shallow sound, not naviga-
! BILE, except by light boats The island is about
eight miles long and from two to three miles wide.
Croatan Sound is about four miles wide at this point
with two good channels, the best however, lying
| within a mile and mile and half from the island.
The western channel is about three miles from the
island. 1t IS capable of being made very strong
position, and Under the control of good engineer,
furnished with ample means, such as its importance