Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-03-26

The defences of Roanoke Island consisted Of Forts
Huger, Blanchard and Barlow, on the Island; and
Fort Forrest on the Tyrrel shore These were on
Croatan Sound. In addition to these, there was q
breaStwork across a narrow defile between two |
swamps which were declared by all the inhabitants
to be utterly impossible to man or beast. 1t was
considered second Thermopyle. The result pain
fully demonstrated the asehood Of these statements
Cen Wise, in the one brief visit which he paid
this most important post did not take the trouble to
uisit all these forts but he expressed notwthstand
ing his contempt for these defences (publicy) not
only there but elsewhere. No attempt was made,
however, on his part, to improve them; so that it
is reasonable to suppose that he was not really in
earnest, unless the fact that he never afterwards
trusted himself for an hour to their protection,
be accepted as proof to the contrary. The enemy
came and we were conquered; since which time,
the Virginia papers with the Enquirer at their head
have been railing at the cowardice of the surrender,
and are bitter in their denunciatien Of the North
Carolina troops. Let us with what justice.
The fight was commenced by an attack on Fort
Barlow, manned by Hills battalion composed Of
two companies of the 18th regiment N. Z. troops,
the State Guards and the John Harvey Cards.
These two companies being from Pasquotank aud
Perquimans counties, were fighting almost at the
thresholds OF their doors and in defence of their own
fresdes, and they certainly fought If they kneD
and .fsltit. Major G. P Hill is native of Whining
ton, n C. The result was, that though the whole
force Of this form;abe Burnside feet was brought
to bear upon this little earhwork they tried in vain
to silence its guns during the whole of one day, and
when on the next they began again, they found the
shattered walls repaired, and the men ready as
to begin the fight Nor is this all. This fort (the
only one, Whatever lies the Yankees may tell to the
contrary, which they trusted themselves within the
reach off, was attacked upon the lief. flank, because
by this method they rendered it impossible for US
to use more than four of the nine guns mounted on
it. The other five were in embrasures and pere
nercr fired because they could not be brought to bear
upon the enemy. These men soere surrendered un-
conquered, 0hrough stern necessity > for long be-
fore they ordered to dsman,le anu spike their
guns the fleet with all its Wanted strength, had
quietly given up the contest and withdrawn beyond
their reach. Surely there must have been good
fighting and good management of those four 80 TO-
guns (only of which was riied J such as could
have been expected from none but cool and deter
mined men. AT any rate. they can say that this Is
the first sinstance since the scar commenced Of
similar result where a mud fort has been attacked
by such overwhelming disparity Of force.
It. Loyal of the Navy, and 1t. Talcolt Of the
Engineers, though not in command of any of the
guns, were with US throughout the day. Captain
Taylor, OF the Navy, came in the afternoon. These
gentlemen did much by their skill and good exam
pie encourage and assist the gunners and though
from our sister State, Virginia, We feel proud to
share with them the praise which was extorted from
our foes, and which We demand as simple justice
from our frieLds, not only in native State, but
wherever the story of the defence of FoKT BAErow
is told
On Saturday an attack was made on the entrench-
ment on land. The enemy say, in their published
account that they had landed II, 900 men, and they
not in the habit of estimating their forces
Now. up to this time, Col Shaw had not more than
1900 men under his command. At least 45O men
were in the Forts on the Sound. Two companies
OF his regiment were supporting las reserve) Fort
Barlow. Deduct the guard necessarily detailed for
the encampments; then deduct the sick, and it will
be seen what number be had to resist this force
-Four hundred and sir men manned the, entrench-
ment; the rest were held in reserve for their sup
port
All honor to these men, who for more than four
hours kept the enemy at bay, while regiment follow
ing regiment was marched TO the attack. For as
each regiment was made to waver by our Calling
fire, it was countermarched beyond the reach Of
harm, and fresh one supplied its place. He who
would cast stigma upon their names, because out
numbered and out 6anked, they were forced to re-
treat does wanton injustice not only to the living,
but to the dead who watered with their blood this
well contested field
For the Virginia troops is claimed the credit Of
this defence. But by the side of the McCulloch
Rangers and the Richmond Blues, were two compa-
Of the 9Th and two of the Slst N c. troops who
shared equally the dangers and the losses as they
shond the h0nors of the day. Here fell the gallant
| Wise with nine of his men wounded around him
but equally expo ed, the brave Whtson was wound.
ed with seven Of his men, two of his company being
left dead on the field. Here Coles was killed, but
fighting by his side fell the equally chivaTous Mon
roe. Here, too, fell the lion hearted Selden, than
whom none was Drawer or rendered better service on
that day. Indeed, it may be said, that he and Maj
| Hill were the heroes of Roanoke, without dispar
| agement to others.
| I have no wish to detract aught from the praise
due to Vlrgna's noble sons; but when the laure
wreath is twined for them, another must encircle
the brows Of those who upon their native soil. ant
| shoulder to shoulder with them, met and strovt
Though unavailingly) to drive back this invading
horde.
The result of farther resistance after our troops
were driven from their entertainment could have
been but useless waste of life-the end must hav,
been the same. Those who would accuse Col. Shaw o
cowardce should have seen him at Fort Barlow
which he visited through perfect tempest of sho
and SHE'LL and where forgetful alike Of the rank h
held and the danger he incurred. he assisted ii
working our guns. Those who would accuse hin
of disloyalty, can only be excused upon the plea o
ignorance Of the man. whose character they woul,
asperse BY SANDER SO foul T., :.
One tribute to another band of Cardinals faithful
sons, and am done Even after the surrender, Col
Green's battalion, who had Just succeeded in land
ing, determined to have one shot at the foe befor
they laid down their arms. They were formed am
marched out TO meet the victorious and exutin
enemy. They met them, and though Eve of thei
! number we're killed and many wounded, more tina
thrice the number of the enemy were left upon tn
field To bear testimony to the prowess Of this icon
i paratiyely mere handful Of men. Surely there W