Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1862-02-19

excitement was produced Wy reports W
the effect that out lofcrt Al Noanoko lH'
land had boon totally defeated two thous'
aud being made prisoners, and quite n'
many hundred killed that tho unionisi.
had outspenernled our commanders 10y
doceiying them into the supposilion thai
their whole force would be concentrated
IN the attack at tho marsh end VI The is-
land when they had perfected plans 10
make a landing NJ four different points.
These rumors were totally al variance
with adyices TO General lluger up to six
o'clock, and the result 40 entirely contra
ry TO the expectations ol military men In
this vicinity, that, under adyisement, you
were not tclegraphed. Even now reason
able doubts exist as to the fact in the
case, and the extent and character OF our
reverses, though il is generally admitted
this morning that the discontinue of Tho
Coniederaies has happeaed.
The facts seem to bo that on Thursday
last (as telegraphed) filty.fve vessels OF
the Burnside expedition appeared Off Ro'
anoke Island, and on Friday ,at 10 o'clock
opened hot fire against our batteries
This fire was met with much GOODNESS and
and delberation by ou. forces, and con-
tinued without cessation until night, the
Federals twice essaying to etlecta landing,
and being as often CALAMITY repulsed.-
These occurrences greatly stimulated
both our naval and land forces, but dur
ing Friday night the enemy were permit
ted TO land quite 5000 troops at Baum's
Point, snort distance below tho upper
Confederate battery.
Opinion here is that such n seeming ad.
vantage to the enemy could easily have
been prevented, but as justifying the step
well informed persons assert that our adj
vantages were such, in point Of position
as to make 100 Southerners equal to 1000
Yankees. At any rate, it was in this be-
lief that the foothold wss allowed. In
response to these plans, at dam on Sat
urday morning our forces commenced III
ring as they advanced up causeway thro
the marsh to the main lald, The fire was
most calling, and the enemy suffered
heavily, while our own losses were incon'
siderable. But the landing ruse it was
soon seen, had been successful they APP
peared on the south side of the island in
boats, and, by the aid of howitzers, made
a landing in rear of our batteries TO the
number of $4,000.
A forward movement was then made
from various points, and, by flank move
ment, at once became masters of the po'
sition. Our loss in killed and wounded
is variously estimated at from three tc
four hundred-that of the enemy at ore
thousand to fifteen hundred. The Con-
federates fought with desperation. Only
about fifty Confederates appear to have
escaped from the island-tho remainder
of the 2,lOO reported to have been taken
prisomers,or among the killed and wound
ed.
Previous to the battle, the sick on the
Island had been removed to places Of Sc
curty in the interior.
The noble defense made by our force
in the fight at Roaroke is the theme 0
universal praise. Just think that the enr
emy's numbers must havo been as ten tC
one, and your readers will have fair idet
Of the spirit which animates the Southern
soldiery. No one here appears to be dis
pirited by the result. While lamentinj
the loss Of so many brave men, all classes
exhibit higher and mere determined
spirit 10 do or die.