The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-05-13
sI1RRFNDER OF FORT MACON.


Fort Macon was surrendered to the enemy last
Friday night, after a bombardment of some II OIL
Is hours. The enemy working by night had
erected batteries behind the large sand banks
which the Island afforded, and mounted guns
within 100 yards of the Fort. This unknown
to Colonel White the Commandment. The enemy
ready to commence the attack on Friday morning
summoned Col White to surrender. This was
percmptorily declined. Another summons was
sent and declined, and finally personal interview
with Col White requested. This was granted,
but the gallant Colonel plainly told them that the
Fort could not be taken by talking; and that
nothing but fighting could induce a surrender.
The Colonel was accommodated. At it they went,
the enemys guns opening fire at 81 o'clock, A. NJ.
The bom5ardmenr continued throughout the day
with terrific destruction to the Fort but fortunately
with little loss of life to the brave little garrison
The enemy inland was directed by signals from
the feet, when the balls fell over the Fort short
of their designation. Thus was gained great
accuracy in firing. The glacis pouehed up
to the depth of many feet. The pancope was
literally demolished and the moat filled with
debris The enemy knew exactly where the
magazine was located, and dropped hundreds of
shell and solid shot the spot with the precision
of man pllng them by hand. Things began to
look squay. The walls of the Fort not only
preached at several points, but literally torn into
pieces everywhere. All the guns pointing inland
aud fronting the enemy, except three, were
dismounted and only three left which could be
brought to bear upon him. Half dozen more
shots which could be fired in as many minutes
would explode the magazine. About o'clock
Z. NJ, the colors hauled down. A party
was had. Col. White would surrender OIL condition
that he should be allowed to march out his
garrison with the honors Of war, the officers
wearing their side arms, aud that private property
would be respected.
This refused Then said the Colonel eve
must fight 1t out-on no other conditions will
surrender. We must go to shooting again" The
Yankee officer loosely remarked he didn't like
this shooting Col White expressed himself as
having great love for it but he had no altcrna-
tive. The terms were finally granted. The
garrison retired to rest for the night in the
demolished Fort. and Oh Saturday morning marched
out In accordance with the terms set FORTH
Capt. Poole's company and such Of the garrison
as d id not live at a distance from the coast, were
put on board and carried to Beaufort, or some
poiut adjacent. Col White with about l55 men
were shipped on board the United States Gunboat,
Chippewa, and sent under flag of truce to the
neighborhood of Fort Caswcll, where they were
received on one Of steamers, and arrived
in Wilmington, Monday night. Our loss in
the action as been varously stated at killed
(some say eleven) two of them mortully.
We are glad to hear, that with few exceptions,
every man in the Fort fought like Spartan. We
also glad to be able to record for Capt. Pooles
men, from whom so many scoundrels had deserted,
that they were not behind the bravest III tho
action. Officers and men, all stood at their posts,
throughout tremendous iron storm, for upwards
Of Il hours; Col White visiting them at every
gun, and reminding the of their duty to the Old
North State and their common country, whose
eyes were then upon them. God bless them, they
proved worthy of such Colonclan such country;
and only surrendered when their last gun was
shattered into fragments, the Fort pile of ruins
around them, and the magazine on the very eve
of ex ploding. The assistant editor Of this paper
may justly feel proud in being represented by
another son among that gallant band, OF whose
conduct we have been told, he need not be ashamed
He saw Col. White on Tuesday night at Goldsboro,
also several of his officers and men. They seemed
equally proud Of each other The Col. pending
his parole visits his relatives in Mississippi and
carries with him all the glory and honor that all
ncorruptible patriot and brave soldier claim.
The loss of the enemy is supposed to be
siderable.-State Journuk