Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-12-05

December. Gen. Hill, who had done much in short
time to place his district IN state Of defence, was
by direction of the, War Department relieved by
Brig. Gen. L OBJ. Branch, the latter part Of No
vember. The force in the district of the Pamco
wss increased BY the addition of Spruill's regiment
of cavalry and the 31st regiment, which had been
ordered by the Governor to Beaufort county to COM
piete its organization, was ordered to Roanoke Is
land to relieve the Sd Georgia regiment It arrived
at its destinations on the 10Th of December num-
Der of companies Of infantry artillery and cavalry,
he'd been raised for local defence and special service
The year closed with rumors of another feet being
in course of preparation for descent upon the
Southern coast 49,.
Being satisfied from the reported character of the
vessels to be used nthis new expedition that
intended for SQUADS, addressed letter to the
War Department ON the Sd of January, 1892 draw
ing attention to the want of troops in this depart
ment and urged that large reserve force be sent
to Goldsborough and placed atmy disposal. l also
wrote to Gov. Clark Cd the same day, requesting
that the newly formed regiments, though but par
TALLY armed, and suffering much from sickness, be
sent to me- Soon these regiments were reported in
readiness to break up their camps and on the 9Th
the movement commenced The 33d 35th and 37th
regiments were sent to Newbern and the 34th regi-
ment halted at Goldsborough to wait for its arms,
which had been promised by the War Department
On the 18th of January, l received information
from Gen. Branch of the arrival at Hatteas of for
ty two steamers and number Of sail vessels and
after information confirming in the opinion that
the Burnside expedition was assembling at that
point, again addressed the War Department, on
the Gath of January, stating that the expedition was
of such magnitude, that TO meet it successfully
our forces should be largely increased and drew at
ton to my letter of the Sd January relative to
serve force being placed at Goldsborougb. On the
22d requested Gov. Clark to call out the militia
Of Edgecornbe, Pitt Beaufort, Greene, Wayne, Lee
noir Jones and Craven counties and direct them to
IN Dr;cr
The defensive works of Gen. Branch's district
were pushed forward with industry, and that gal
liant officer spoke hopefully of his ability to defend
Newbern.
On the SOth of January, I'wrote to the War De-
partment relative to the high stage of water in the
Roanoke and of the practicability of its being
cended by the enemy's gunboats high the
bridge at Weldon, should they pass Roanoke Island;
requested that in the event of the Island falling,
upon the news of it reaching Richmond, that at
least light battery be sent at to Halifax to
which point l would send regiment of infantry;
represented my deficiency of troops and requested
to be informed what reinforcements mil ht expect
in of the fall of Roanoke Island, or an attack
on Newbern.
On the 10th of February, a telegram from Gen'l
Huger announced the fall of Roanoke Island. The
34th regiment was at once ordered to the Roanoke
for the defence of that river and the Governor hav
ing sent down the 3Sth regiment, IL ordered to
pieces Of artillery with undrilled detachment
having been sent to me, ordered to the same
point also Capt fuckers company of cavalry. 1
wrote to the War Department, requesting that ad-
dtonal forces be sent to that section, as the force
| then en- route were only sufficient TO check the
enemy, should he attempt to ascend the river.
Finally, Captain Meade sent to locate batteries
on the Roanoke This officer had been sent BY me,
| g few weeks previous, to make an examination of
the Roanoke country. He furnished a memoir of
his observations accompanied by a map of the
river. On the 18th ofFebruary l received an order
from the War Department, transferring the coun-
ties of Martin, Halifax, Northampton and BERTHE to
| the department of Gen. Huger
The headquarters of the 10th regiment artillery,
Col j. A. j. Bradford commanding, were establish
ed at Goldsboro'. February 16.
With the view of concentrating the forces of the
district of the Pamlico, the 9TH and 26th regiments
were sent to Newbern, Major Halls command was
withdrawn from Hyde County, the companies of
| the 18th and the companies of the 33d regiment
| sent to Newbern, and the 2 companies of the 18th
regiment sent to Washington. The batteries
Huggips and IIarker's Islands were withdrawn, anu
| the garrison of Fort Macon reduced to five compa-
MES of artillery, the largest number that could be
sheltered in the Fort in of seige the surplus
troops sent to Newbern, and the Fort supplied with
I seven months provisions.
On the 9th Of February, T made, by direction of
the Secretary Of War, "a report of my forces their
|
In it was stated, "you will perceive that large in
| crease to The force at Newbern should be made to
place it on equality with the force that attacked
Roanoke Island" and again, 1.-The force under my
command is very inadequate to the defence OF so ex
! tensive coast against an enemy who has possess
ion of our Soun1S and direct his large columns
| against any point he may elect" And yet, on the
! Sd of March, received telegram from the Secre-
tary of War; directing the withdrawal of the troops
from Washington and the sending them to Suffolk,
Virginia. '-.
TO satisfy myself that the defensive works at New
bern were such as they should be, ordered board
of officers to consist of Col. Charles Lee infantry,
I Lieut. Col. Crossen and Major Thompson artillery
| and Captain Meade, engineer to assemble at New
bern on the 7th of March, who were to examine the
works, and to recommend such alterations and ad-
ditions might appear proper, and in order not to
delay they 10 indicate, from time to time, the
proposed alterations and additions to Gen. Branch,
| who instructed to carry out the recommends
| tions of the Board as speedily as possible. This
| Board would have been ordered at much earlier
day, but for the mpractica5ty of securing the SER
vices of Capt Meade an engineer in whose capacity
| I had great confidence and whom had been COM
PEELED to send to erect batteries on Vie Roanoke, as
before stated.
went to Newborn on the 7th of March, and on
the 9Th inspected the water batteries in company
with General Branch and the Board. had gone
! to Newbern with the intention of remaining there
for several days, but found myself so unwell on the
| 9th as to render return to Goldsboro' advisable.
| On the 18th of March received note from Gen.
Branch announcing the advance of the enemy up
tho Neuse river. The fact was at once telegraphed
to the Governor and the War Department, and re-
Inducements asked for. | sent orders to Gen. An.
derson to send up Col. Lanes regiment, the only
troops sufficiently near Wilmington to be available
for the occasion, and replied to, Gen. Branch that
| would join him as soon as I had satisfied myself
that had done all could at Goldsboro in collect.
ing reinlorcements. Col. Lanes regiment arrived
and were forwarded on the night of the 18th, also
Capt Atwood of the Goth regiment with part of
his company, wbo being on fnrlough, AND just ar
rived at, GoldSboro', volunteering for the service
Ewere armed and sent down. No other reinforce
ments reached Goldsboro. Ny intention Of joining
Gen Branch was frustrated by painful attack of