Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-02-19
The Fall of Roanoke Island.

The fall of Roanoke Island has placed the boekdooT
key to Norfolk in the hands of our enemies, with
Gen. Wool threatening that place in front. This
disaster has also placed the whole Albemarle
try at the mercy of our enemies. Time and again
we called the attention Of the authorities to the i'm
portance of defending this island and to the conse-
quences which would follow its occupation by the
enemy. In the Standard of the 22d of last month
we said:
I'VE cannot doubt that the first point Of attack
will be at Roanoke Island and the main object of
the expedition is to get in the of Norfolk. The
attack upon Newbern, Washington ami the Abe
marie towns also included in the programme
We withhold an expression of our fears, if early
attack is made upon Roanoke Island Gen. Wise
has been appointed there too recently to have
complSh much. Should damage ensue we shall
charge it upon the removal of Gen. Hill from that
department He had started plans of defence which,
if he had been permitted to carry out, would have
rendered US secure against an attack
And in the Standard of the 9th of this month
we said: ..
1--WE are satisfied from the size of the Burnside
expedition, from the intimations of the Northern
press and from the importance of the stake, that
tie first object Of the expedition is to take Roanoke
Island, and immediately to push for the Seabosrd
Railroad to get in the rear of Norfolk Let any one
of the Chowan and Notoway rivers and notice
their contiguty to the Scaboard Railroad. How
many troops have on the Seaboard Road? How
many Franklin depot? How many at Suffolk
How many rangers on Chowan river to watch the
advance of the enemy and give warningp What if
General Wool from Fortress Monroe, to make
simultaneous movement across James river and
get possession of the Petersburg and Norfolk Rail.
road? What, ask, would be the condition of
i Norfolk, if the enemy were 10 get possession of
those two Roads,
This, We believe is the main design of the enemy.
Should he be successful it will be easy matter,
then, to carry out his marauding designs upon the
Eastern Counties. When we think of the poSSibili-
ty of his despong and running fellow citizens
of those Counties, of the immense damage and loss
to accrue to us by the taking of Roanoke Island,
Hyde, Washington and Newbern, and then reflect
how easily and at what small cost it might have
been prevented had the authorities done their duty,
at loss for terms to express our indignation
at wantOn sacrifice of the iarest portion of the
State May benIgnant Providence still interpose
to prevent so sad a calamity
1t gives US no pleasure to remind our readers Of
these predictions and fears. We do so only in the
hope that those who have the management of our
affairs will profit by the past.
Who is to blame for this calamity? Is Gen Wise?
Is Gen. Huger? Is Gen. Gatlin? Is Mr.. Secretary
Benjamin? Is Col Shaw? We do not know but
we do believe if Gen. Hill had not been removed,
the island would have been fortified and successfully
defended. Why was Gen. Hill removed? Because
he obeyed the orders of the Governor of this State
and called out portion of the militia Who had
! him removed? The highest authority" in this
State as we understand, represented to President
Davis that he not acceptable to people, but
that Gen. Branch would be and so President Davis,
believing he doing right ordered Gen. Hill to
Virginia, and made Col Branch Brigader. Gen..
! Branch was soon relieved Of the command of Roam
oke Island as part of the coast which had been
assigned him. but not until he had ordered the 9lst
regiment half armed to that place. and Gen. Huger
then assumed command Of the island and sent Gen.
Wise there as his subordinate. 1t seems that Mr..
Secretary Benjamin does not regard the loss of the
/ island as very important Wetrust the whole mat
ter will be investigated Let those who have done
their duty be commended, and let heavy censure
rest on those by whose neglect or improper conduct
! the island has been lost -