Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-02-27
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OR FACTs.

obtained from eyewinesses who perfectly reliable and
responsible. Many things are no doubt omitted, which
will be added hereafter.
On Thursday, 9th February the enemys feet began
assembling in force. Col Shaw sent to Gen. Use Tor
instructions Wise was at Nags Head Wise sent word
to send the Infantry to the two landings at the south
end of the Wlloughby's and Ashby's. Col
Shaw went himself that night Wiloughbys and sent
COL Jordan to Ashby's.
On Friday, about II A. NJ. the enemy teet, num-
bering at least one hundred, of which tWentyseVen
were gun-boas, slowly approached our DISTRACTIONS
By twelve O'Clock the whole OF the armed vessels had
opened on our lower (Soutlern) battery commanded
bv Major g. II. HILL ard manned by two companies OF
the 18th n. G. Regiment. Major Hill replied slowly
and carefully with the only three Of bis guns ne could
bring to bear on the position hich the enemy occupied
ur gun-boats also took part the enemy turning their
fire mon them whenever they could The combat was
kept up Between Major Hills battery and the enemy
the whole day of Friday. This the only one OF our
batteries that either took part was able to take
part during the whole engagement. little before dark
the gun-boat8 hauled Off
About the time the firing ceased, small boat OF the
enemy approached Ashbys Landing and appeared to be
making soundiDgs as though in view OF a landing beng
attempted there OF the party in the boat, some two
or three were killed and Others wounded by fire from
cur men.
After the boat put back, late on Friday evening"
three Of the enemys steamers with troops on board and
large number Of surf boats in tow also crowded with
troops ran in towards Aslby's landing. AS soon as
they came near enough they commenced throwing Shells
into the woods, apparently with the view OF dsodglng
any of orr troops. In the meantime our men under
COL Jordan removed two pieces, an eighteen and
twentvpounderto hrcast-work nearly mile in the rear
of tie landing to which their orders were to retire alter
having made stand at the landing ard in the event OF
not being able to prevent the enemy coming ashore The
early removal of the guns necessary to prevent their
capture by the enemy there no horses to remove
them in case their removal had been delayed. Having
removed the guns, the men were also brought within
the breaswork, there to await tie enemy aud make
stand in case OF being attacked. About the same time
Col Shaw with the force from Willoughby's landing
came up and also took position at the breastWork lie
had with him one six,p0under under Lieut. SeIden This
was drawn by mules. Near about the same time Lieut.
COL Anderson Of Wse's Legion reported himself with
three hundred men, and conceded il the determination
that had been come to- Up to this time other force
than tie two North Carolina regiments, and Major
HIPS two companies had reported to COL Shaw, nor
was he aware of any other on the Island.
Captain Wise's company Of Anderson's regiment
was thrown out as skirmshers On tie left and another
company of the same regiment The right Iii pro-
per here TO remark that from tie Of the road or
causeway it 50 happened that the landing place not
visible from our beastwolk that cur fire could not
be made 10 prevent the landing of tie enemy.
Next morning our pickcts came ia and reported that
the enemy were landing in large numbers.
-l0r
showed themselves commencing to fire shell ana grape
shot at our breast,work. The position Of our troops
then was-tw0 companies of each Of the North Caro-
lima Regiments and one or two companies Of Wise's
Legion at the bToastwork. The rest Of the troops,
with the exception of these depoyeda skrmisheys and
two companies of tie n @. Ssh Rgimen sent to Eepel
threatened landing near Major Hills battery, were
held in reserve. The fight kept up in this position
between their forces and ours until about twelve o'clock
we using the three pieces already referred to- long
our ammunition lasted, the eighteen and six FOUNDER
being well served, the tWcnty-rour FOUNDER, howiz
doing no good whatever owing to the bad management
Of it by the Lieut.. in command, member of one Of
the Virginia companies, as were also the commanders
Of the other guns Our men fired their small guns over
the breastwoks at which the enemys missiles perfectly
hailed. No men could have behaved better.
During the fight report came in that Captain Wise
was killed. and bis company had rereated but not to the
breast-works They in the swamp on the left O.
our work. The enemy did not pursue them, nor attempt
10 flank that side.
About twelve O'Clock the enemy's skrmisbers begar
to make their appearance the right flank of oul
breastwork and in force having driven back cur Skin
misbers. AS soon as this was noticed Col. Shaw di
reced It. COL Price 10 bring forward two cnmnanp
of and depoy them On the right as skirmsh
ers. This Col. Price did, but before the companies
which had instantly, CALL formed under FIRE, could
deployed as directed our work had been Aanked AM
the retreat commenced. Captain Rogers ard Captai
McRaes were tie companies formed to depIoy as skin
mishers ard they then ordered to cover the retreat
and they did so. Our men at the breast-works onl
left when their cartridge boxes were empty and thei
work wholly outaanked,
Col Shaw's force available for the defence of tn
breaswok could not have exceeded one thousand mer
Our troops then retreated in order to the camp
distance of five or six miles. The North Caroinian
in usual time. The Virginia troops in double quick
in the hope, doubt Of being able to get over to tn
banks and escape capture The retreating troops al
rived at camp about two o'clock in the afternoon G
Saturday. Col. Green with Lis battalion had ande
shortly before, and thrown out as a skrmishin
force. sharp fire for very short time was heard be
tween his force and an advanced body of the enemy bu
it having been decided in council of officers that
would be only vain sacrifice of life for no purpose
attempt resistance which could only end in slaughter
without apy useful object it was determined to surreD
der.
Col FoWle rode ont with q white tIoo n rocot;.+