Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-01-29

lico SOund-The Importance Of Roanoke Is.
land as a strategic point. ..EsL
Quite number of our contemporaries in specializing
upon the probable designs of the Burnside expedi-
ton upon the country bordering our Sounds in the
cast have, notwithstanding the assumed presence
of the feet in the Sound enlightened the public, if
net the enemy. in the geography of that region In
some instances, suggestions have been made, which,
perhaps, may well have been omitted at that par
ticular juncture
Now, that it appears, by merciful interposition
Of Divine Providence, the feet has been nonpussed
II not damaged by the late storm on the coast be-
You'd the possibility We hope, ofa onslaught upon
US, or at least Of early q as anticipated,
it may not be amiss for us to make suggestions
which may show more clearly the absolute impor-
lance of more complete state of defence Indeed
should the fleet Ear to attempt to carry
ont its purpose to assail now, if indeed that was
It's original design, We have some hope that sug-
geStiOn two will not be altogether improbable,
even at this late period.
It 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, nor 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 impoSSibility well as the inu
dlty of attempting to keep out a formidable force
at Hatteras was strongly urged and the suggestion
made that all sea-coast defences above and be-
low Fort Macon and Caswell, should be held simply
as Outposts, requiring small expenditure for men
and munitions, with means of escape; but that the
Y. i H. h.
ed below Wilmington, Newbern, and Washington,
| and at Roanoke Island.
Hatcras 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 inaccessblity Of the main land
bordering it. is of little consequence to the enemy,
except in attack upon Beaufort with light
steamers. Batteries erected we understand,
to cut off such an attempt. But the possession of
Iatteras by the enemy, in the absence of the most
complete dcfences upon Ncuse and Pamlco Rivers
and at Roanoke Island, nigh: give him entire con-
troll of the granary of the South. Craven, Beau
! fort, Hyde, Tyrrell, Washington Currituck Cam
den, Pasquotank, Perqumans, Chowan, Gates,
and Halifax Countess without these defences, are
all LAID open to his ravages. These counties
have heretofore furnished Norfolk, Wilmington,
Charleston and Savannah larger amount of corn
than they obtained from all otker sources, besides
the large shipments they made to Baltimore, New
! York and Providence. The product of surplus
cora from these counties is immense Add to this
the entire loss of the whole fishing interest of these
waters amounting to several millions, besides az
fording one-half Of the support of large number
Of INDECENT persons, who can 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 &c trucon 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 Newborn, one of these points, at
the junction Of the Neuse and Trent rivers is about
ninety miles by water from IIatteras, with no natu-
raj distractions to navigation after passing the
swash at IIattcraS. The possession Of Newborn
simply as depot or for It's 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 Bcafort harbOr and gives him control of
the Atlantic Railroad. We are far from thinking,
however that much would lie gained except its de-
structIon and possibly the capture of Fort Macon,
even if he could lake Newbern; 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
- hic bnol uav
would be readily checked. lie could scarcely get cut
ofsght Of that place westward were our forces which
could be well spared be brought against him. An at
tack upon Washington, which lies Pamlico or
Tar river, about eighty miles from Hatteras, if sue
cessfu, could secure advantage to the enemy,
except the destruction of the place These points,
how ever, will be defended to the bitter end and we
trust the authorities have made all the necessary
arrangements to visit upon the enemy utter ami
hilaton.
Roanoke Island is, beyond doubt the most i'm
portant strategic point in these waters. Whether
the enemy designed an attack upon it to make a
rear movement upon Norfolk, or to harrass and de-
spoil the country his success in either respect would
he severely damaging. This island lies about forty
miles north of IIatteras, at the foot of Albemarle
Sound, with Croatan Sound on the west lying be-
tween the Island and the Tyrrel shore. 1t is easy
of access by water, with no natural distractions to
any sized vessel which can be gotten over the
swash Ia shoal with about eight feet water) at Hat
teras. On the east, the island is cut off from the
Nays 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 mile and mile and half from the island
The western channel is about three miles from the
island 1t Is capable of being made a very strong