Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-23
THE ROANOKE ISLAND DEFEAT.

THE ROANOKE ISLAND DEFEAT.
Yesterday morning, Col. D. S. Gather, Chairman
of the Roanoke Island Investigating Committee, of
the House of Representatives, submitted the follow
ing report He also submitted very volumlnous
mass of testimony, covering five hundred and thirty
four manuscript pages, which he desired to be re-
ceived and laid on the table without residing. The
report of the committee exclusive of the testimony
(which embraces Gov. Wise's Report Of the 2lst
was ordered to be printed
REPORT.
The committee to whom referred resolution
of the House of Representatives, instructing them
to inquire and report the causes and circumstances
Of the capitulation of Roanoke Island have had the
game under consideration and have given all the
facts and circumstances connected with the detences
of the said Island and its adjacent waters, and of
the capitulation the Sth of February, most
elaborate investigation
The committee find that on the 2lSt day of Aug.
1861 Brig. Gen. Gatlin was ordered to the COM
mand of the Department of North Carolina, and the
coast defences of that State On the 29th of Sept,
Brig Gen. D. II. Hill ASST ned to duty in North
Carolina and charged with the deeuces of that pOr
ton of said State lying between Albemarle Sound
and the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound, including
those waters, and was directed to report to Brig.
Gen. Gatlin.
On the 10th of November, Brig. Gen. L. OBJ.
Branch was directed to relieve Brig Gen. Hill in
command of his district in North Carolina.
On the 21st of December that part of North Car
olina east Of the Chowan river, together with the
counties of Washington and Tyrrell, was at the re-
quest of the proper authorities of North Carolina,
separated from the remainder, and constituted into
military district under Brig Gen. II. A Wise,
and attached to the command of Maj. Gen. Huger,
commanding the department of Norfolk. At the
time therefore, Of the surrender of Roanoke Island
on the Sth of February, 1862, it was within the
military district of Brig. Gen. WISE and attached
to the command of Maj. Gen. Huger
The military defences of Roanoke Island and it's
adjacent waters on the said Sth Of February 1862,
consisted of Fort Barlow, the most southern of the
defences the west side Of the Island sand fort
we'll covered with turf having six long 80 pound
guns in embrasure and three 50 Founders en- bar
bette.
The next is Fort Blanchard, on the same side of
the Island, about two and one,half miles from Fort
Barlow, semi-circular sand fort turfed and noun
ting four 81 Founders en- 6arbette.
Next OH the same side, and about twelve hundred
yards from Fort Blanchard, is For: Huger. This Is
a turfe6 sand fort, running along the line of the
beach and closed in the rear by low breastwork
with barquette for infantry. 1t contained eight
32-pound guns in embrasure, two rIed 80 Founders
en- bdrbette and two small 32-pounders 6ar6ette
on the right
About three miles below Fort Barlow, on the east
side Of the Island, battery of two 32pound
guns en- barbette, at point known as Midgetts
Hammock.
In the centre of the Island, about two miles from
Fort Barlow, and mile from Mldgett's Hammock
was redoubt or breastwork thrown across the road
about 10 80 feet long with embrasUres for three
guns, on the right of which was swamp, on the
left marsh, the redoubt reaching nearly between
them and facing to the South.
On the Tyrrell side, on the main land, nearly op-
posite to Fort Huger, was Fort Forrest, mounting
seven 32-pounders.
In TO Jocap Al -
the Island, there barrier of piles, extending
from the east side Of Fulker Shoals towards the
Island Its object was to compel vessels passing on
the west side of the Island to approach within the
reach Of the shore batteries but up to the Sth of
February there was span of 700 yards open op-
poslte Fort Barlow Some vessels had been sunk
and piles driven on the west side of Fuker Shoals,
to obstruct the channel between that shoa and the
main land which comprise all the defences, either
upon the land, or in the waters adjacent.
The entire military force stationed upon the island
prior to, and at the time of the late engagement
consisted Of the 9Th regiment North Carolina State
troops, under the command of Col. II. NJ Shaw:
the 3lst regiment North Carolina Volunteers under
the command of Col j. V. Jordan; and three COM
panies of the 18th regiment North Carolina Troops
under the command Of Major g. H. Hill. After
manning the several Forts, on the 1th of February
there were but ,O24 men left and 200 of them were
upon the sick list. On the morning of the 18th of
February, Brig Gen. Wise sent from Nays Head
under command Of Lieut. Colonel Anderson, rein.
forcement numbering some $50 men, This does
not include the commands of Lieut. Col Green and
Maj Fry, both of whom reached the scene of action
after the battle was closed. The committee do not
think there was any intentional delay in the landing
of the commands of Col. Green and Maj FRY. The
former, Col. Green, exhibited great anxiety to get
into the fight, when he did land, and acted with
great gallantry in the skirmish he did have with
the enemy in the vicinity of the camps. The whole
under the command of Brig. Gen. Wise, who, upon
the 18th and sth of February was at Mays Head four
miles distant from the Island confined to sick bed
and entirely disabled from participating in the &C.
ton in person. The Immediate command, there.
fore deyoived upon Col. II. n. Shaw, the senior Of
ficer present
On the 9Th of February, it was discovered that
the enemy's feet was in Pamlico Sound, South of
Roanoke Island, and apparently intending to attack
the forces upon the Island. Col. Shaw immediately
communicated the fact to Brig. Gen. Wise, and is
sued orders for the disposition of his troops prepar
atory to an engagement The points at which it
was supposed the enemy would attempt to land
troops, were Ashby's and Pugh's landings. Ash
bys is situated on the West side of the Island,
about two miles South of Fort Barlow, and Pugh's
on the same side, about two miles South of Ashbys
On the night of the 6th or early the morning of
the 7th, detachment with one piece of artillery
was sent to Pughs landing, and one with two pieces
OF artillery was sent to Ashbys and the remainder
OF the forces stationed in the immediate vcin-
Ny OF Ashby's. On the morning of the 7th the en-
eay heet passed by both the landings, and pro-
ceeded towards Fort Barlow and the detachment Of
80 any stationed at Pugh's Immediately fell back
Sst.c vicinity of Ashby's landing and Joined the
7 Jn.au there, all under the command of Col.
-ra;1 Ia Souna between Roanoke Island ard the
with bis squadron of ssy.n ~ nyhclS