Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-04-24
The Report the Commist.e Affair at
Island.

The committee has published report, which satsfacto
ry establishes the fact that the disaster at Roanoke
the unavoidable of the action and orders of
the Cove nnent at Richmond The following paragraph
presents the conclusion Of the Committees
the of the headquarters Norfolk and
to the Department Richmond neglected and treated
called upon the Secretary of War; and urged in the most
mportunate the absolute necessity of strengthen
ing tie defences upon that Island with additional men,
mement and ANN nioa. Tie Secretary Of War replied
verbally to his appeals for that he had not
the mel 10 spare for his command. General Wise urged
upon the Secretary that General Huger had about Is 600
in front of Norfolk lying idle in camp eight hS
TIE de ence Of the rear Of Norfolk and especially as bis
General Wses) district supplied Norfolk his army with
nearly quite all of his CON- pork and forage that REIN
orcements Roanoke island Absolutely necessary
to the defence at Norfolk in the 'front.' and that
particular special posts should be allowed
nopolzs nesrly all the men, powder and supplies In
reply to all his urgent appeals for the of Defence
General Wise the 22d Ofanuary the following
Brigadier General henry A. Wise. Provisional Army,
will medisely proceed to Roanoke island North Carroll
na and command of the Confederate States troops
st that place.
"Bs command Of the Secretary Of TsE, r,rr,r,o
Isigned1 John WRITER'S,
" Assistant Adj ltant- General "
1t is apparent the committee from the correspondence
file of General Wise with the Secretary of War General
Euger his superior officer the Governor of North Carolina
other persons that he fully alive TO the Importance
of Roanoke island and has devoted his whole time and
ergies the deiences of that position and that
he is In way responsible for the unfortunate disaster
which befel that Island the 18th and sh
the efforts of the Secretary of War and the
manding officer at Norfolk, General Huger.
It ID apparent that the island of Roanoke important
for the defence Of Norfolk and that General H. ger had
under his command that point upwards OF feen thou
sand large supply of armament aid ammunition and
could have thrown in few hours, large reinforcement
upon Roanoke island, and that himself and the Secretary
OF War had timely notice of the entire inadequacy of the
defences, the of and munitions OF and the
threatening attitude Ct the enemy But General Huger and
the Secretary of War paid practical attention to those
urgent appeals of General Wise, forward of his
important acquisitions, and permitted General Wise and his
nconsGeabe force TO remain at least fifteen thou
sand men, well armed and equipped.
If the Secretary Of War and the commanding General
Norfolk had not the reinforce General Wise, why
he not ordered to andOn his ositiun and hi
command but, upon the contrary, he required to
main and sacrifice bis command, with in his Dsu
lated position make his escape in of defeat 1ht
Dittee, from the testimony, therefore constrained
to report that, whatever of blame aid responsibility
justly attrb table any for the defeat IF troop
Roanoke island. the 9Th of ehruary, 1862 should
acb to MeorGeneral B. Ruger and the late secretary
| War;. +. Benjamin.
All OF which is respectfully submitted,
b. s. GATHER, Chairman.