The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-04-30

the Fort, with nine -inch. ten-inch and eleven
inch shell, spherical case, a few round shot
and every variety of rifed projectIles. The
Fort replied with but four guns, (Which
were all that could be brought.to bear.) and
after striking the foremost vessels several
times, the fleet fell back, SO as to mask one
of the guns Of the Fort, leaving but three to
reply to the fire OF the whole feet. The
bombardment was continued throughout the
day, and the enemy retired at dark. The
squadron under the command of Commodore
Lynch, sustained their position most gallant
ly, and only retired after exhausting all their
ammunition, and having lost the steamer
Curlew and the Forest disabled. Fort Bar
tow sustained considerable damage from the
fire Of the day, but the injuries were partial
" repaired by the next morning. and the
Fort put in state of defence.
About 81 o'clock ON the morning Of the
9TH, the enemy sent off from their transports
about twenty-five men in launch, apparent.
ly to take soundngs, who were fired upon
and retreated. Whereupon, twolarge steam.
ers having in tow each thirty boats filled
with troops, approached the Island under
the protection of their gunboats, at a point
North of Ashby's landing. known as Hay
mons. and did effect landing. The point
selected, was out of reach of the field pieces
at Ashby's, and defended by swamp from
The advance Of our infantry, and protected
by the shot and shell thrown from their gun
boats. Our whole force thereupon with
drew from Ashby's and took position at the
redoubt or breastwork and placed in battery
the three field pieces. with the necessary
artillerymen. under the respective commands
of Capt. Schemerhorn, Lieuts, Kinney and
Seldom. Two companies Of the sih and two
Of the 3lst were placed at the redoubt TO sup
port the artillery--three companies Of the
Wise Legion deployed to the right and left
as skirmishers- remainder Of the infan-
try in position three hundred yards in the
rear Of the redonbt as a reserve.
The enemy landed some fifteen thousand
men. with artillery, and At o'clock. A. NJ.
OF the 9th, opened fire upon the redoubt,
which was replied TO Immediately with great
spirit, and the action soon became general.
and was continued without interruption for
more than five hours, when the enemy sue
ceeded in deploying large force on either
side Of our line Aanking each wing. The
order was then given by Col. Shaw, to spike
the guns in the battery, and to retreat TO the
northern end Of the Island. The guns were
Spiked snd the whole force fell back TO the
camps. During the engagement at the re-
doubt, the enemy's fleet ATTEMPTED 10 ad-
vance up Croaian Sound, which brought on
a desultory engagement between Fort Bar
tow aud the fleet. which continued up to half
after 10 o'clock, when the commanding Off :
Ger was informed that the land detences had
been forced, and the position Of the Fort
turned he thereupon ordered the guns to be
and the ammunition destroyed,
which was done, and the Fort abandoned.
The same thing was done at Forts Blanchard
and Huger, and the forces from all the forts
were marched 10 good order 10 the camp.
The enemy took possessions Of the redoubts
aud forts Immediately, and proceeded in
pursuit, with great caution. towards the
northern end Of the Island. in force, deploy-
ing so as to surround our forces at the camps.
Col. Shaw having arrived with his whole
force at his camps. in time TO have saved his
whole command, if Transports had been fur
nished; but none were there, and, finding
himself suItOuHutut W b1cauI supGEpI
force, upon the open Island. with no field
works 10 protect him. and having lost his IN.
" three field pieces at the redoubt. had
either 10 make an idle display Of courage. in
fighting the foe at such immense disadvantage
TO the sacrifice Of his command, or to capt.
ulaie and surrender as prisoners Of war. He
wisely determined upon the latter alterna,
tive.
The loss on our side in killed and wound.
ed and missing is as follows: Killed 2s.
So. missing So. The loss Of the
46lh and 59th Virginia volunteers is. killed
s, wounded %. missing 10. That Of the
9Th and Sist and end North Carolina troops
is 10 killed. so wounded. 45 missing. Of
the engineer department. Lieut.. seldom kill.
ed--who had patriotically volunteered his
services in the line. was assigned TO the com.
mand Of the FOUNDER which he handled
with so much skill as 10 produce immense
havoc in the enemys ranks. and to elicit
the unbounde admiration of all who wit
messed il. Unhappily, however, that gal.
LIANT officer received rifle ball 10 the head.
L.. II