Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-02-12
The Cnnturs Of Roanoke Island.

With the most painful emotions we record TO-DAY
the capture of Roanoke Island, with our brave men
who were placed there by the government with IN
efficient means TO defend 1t. We are deeply grieved
Of the result, but we are not disappointed Our
readers know that for months We have importunate-
II warned the government of the certainty oil this
calamity, if the most effective measures were not
taken for its complete defence. From the day Gen.
Hill was removed from the charge of our coast and
political general appointed in his stead, wholly
unacouainted with military affairs, we have had but
little hope of protection to the northern department
Of our seacoast Fho WGs Instrumental in his re-
,roralP Let them be EnOUn to the p,OpIe Of North
Carolina, that their names may go dOtcn to poster
ftv as recreants to her cause and her people We
believe we are on the track Of the partizan leaders
Who did this thing. When the facts are fully as
certained the people Ct North Carolina shall know
who they are For this wicked interference, North
Carolina now mourns the death and the mangied
bodies and the capture of many of her sons.
We enormously stated upon rumur in our last,
that Gen. Huger had taken command in person on
the Island, with 5000 troops. Not word of this
was true General Huger has not been upon the
Island and from the fullest accounts we can get we
had only $500 fighting men ON the Island
Colonel Shaws regiment of State Troops, pretty
well equipped we believe, has been stationed on the
Island for some time. at the time of the battle, it
had about or 700 effective men, After the reno
val of Col Wrights Georgia regiment from the
Island, Col Jorlan's regiment was sent there from
Fort Hill At the time of the battle owing to sick
A.. Nr,l,- o6o,,K
/ or 500 effective men, and they were armed with
the old fiintlock mu ket Besides these there were
some 200 of the 18th regiment (Col. Martln'S) the
remnant that were on furlough at the time of the
taking of Hateras. To these were added reinforce.
ments from Gen. Wise's Legion, about the time the
battle commenced, making about $500 to 2 500.
Who was in command, as yet we have no means
Of knowing Gen. Wise was sick and not on the
Island Col Shaw was the senior Colonel of the
\. c. Troops. Whether any one else was laced
in command by Gen. Wise We have not learned.
On Thursday last the enemy appeared in sight
some five miles below the Island. A few guns were
fired by our feet or batteries as signals Of their
approach, but it appears the enemy did not return
the fire. On Friday morning the enemy was en-
gagged, as We learn, below the Island by our small
fleet in command of Com. Lynch, but they were
Obliged to retire, when the enemy advanced with
SO vessels to the attack Our batteries opened upon
them with spirit. The enemy landed 5000 men,
which our forces permitted him to d. and attacked
them vigorously. The fight continued all day, and
ended when night closed in.
On Saturday the battle was renewed by the enc
ny, when it was supposed he Landed about 10, 900
men. The fight is said to have been desperate.
The Virginia papers only mention what the Vir.
ginans did, but we sure all fought with the
courage of meu resolved upon victory or death.
Our little fleet behaved admirably. The CurleH
was sunk, but her crew escaped. The other vessels
OF the Heet having expended their ammunition went
10 Elizabeth City TO replenish their store and to
carry down the Wise Artillery, but they did not
return Our forces having expended their amuruni.
ton, were compelled to surrender to an overwben.
ing force about o'clock on Saturday. It is said
that we lost 500 in killed and wounded and 600
taken prisoners. 1t is further said that the Yankee
loss was ABOUT LOCO killed and wounded. Abou,
$50 Wake county men belonged to Col. Jordan's
Regiment. late dispatch reports that the enemy
had attacked Elizabeth City, and that the town is
laid in ashes
+. s We cannot give the many rumors aioat.-
The amount of damage to the enemy's steamers we
cannot determine. Some report as many as seven
steamers sunk. Some accounts say that there was
plenty OF ammunition on the Island. Our impress
hon is, there was not. Capt o. Jennings Wise
was wounded instead of being killed In the accounts
1rOm Norfolk We have not seen the name of North
Caronian mentioned. About 25 persons of all sorts
made their escape it is said