Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-02-15
he NORTH 'ssoARoLINA STANDARD;
rhe nI.as,er Al Roanole inland.


tant in the Confederate States-ought TO have been
defended and maintained at all hazards; or defended
fora time with ngelnents previously made for the
escape Of our troops; or, &c not defended IN one Of
these ways. it onght to have been promptly aban- I
doned. We have urged these views for months up
on the authorities here and at Richmond We
Know that one of our regiments on the isand-the
3lst-was very poorly armed; and we know also, 4
that the island was badly fortified 0ne of the off,
GERS of this regiment, foreseelg the result of the
attack on the island, wrote to Us at length on the
e6th of January, putting Us in possession Of the
facts relating to the condition Of the regiment and
also stating that the defences the island we're
tirely insufficient. After referring to the unjust
treatment which this regiment had received at the
hands of both governments, and after declaring it
still to be the most ardent wish of these noble men
to meet the enemy and do their whole duty in the
impending conflict, he adds:
" As to the defencps here you are mistaken. The
island is wretchedly fortified There is portion
OF this island where the enemy can lay their vessels
up to the shore in eight feet water and yet there is
not battery in four miles of it. What prevents
the enemy from landing heavy force there, and
StOrming batteries in the rear? Besides. give
It not as my opinion, but as the opinion of good
Ildges, that the enemy can run the blockade with
'npunity. As to the means of retreat spoken of
N the Standard, that has never once been thought
ut have written to you as friend of the soldier,
but hope this letter will not be used unless there is
a necessity for it." --r, $685.
The worst apprehensons of our correspondent
/ have been realized. The enemy did land ut the
very point at which he feared they would land; and
batteries constructed Of earth and turf and open
as the day to the enemys bombs were of but little
service. There were five of these on the island and
two on the Tyrrel shore, west of Croatan. The Rob-
eson company, Capt Goodwin, was in charge of one
of these latter works and it is therefore hoped they
have escaped The most desperate fighting took
place the Southern extremity of the island where
the enemy landed. We learn from good authority,
that our troops fought with the utmost courage,
charging on masses Of the enemy with loud shouts,
and beating them back through the swamp and to
the shore until their canister shot gave out 1t APP
pears that Col Shaw had mounted three small
cannon, aohich uere drapn by mules and this was
all the flying artillery he had The shot gave out
in the midst of the conflict, and ox-cart sent
for more but the driver killed and before the
shot could be obtained from distant point the
island, our brave boys were overwhelmed. Gen.
Henningson, with his fine battery of artillery,
not on the island, but at Elizabeth City. He had
no special crders we learn, to report himself the
island We do not, in the slightest degree censure
the General for he acted under orders and no doubt
desired to be in the fight; but it is probable that
his battery alone, used as it would have been
by so gallant and experienced officer would have
| changed the fortunes of the day. Our whole force
| engaged was not more than 1000. Col Wharton
! j. Green's fine regiment, thoroughly equipped and
| armed is supposed to have arrived just in time to
be captured Two thousand men, with mule artil-
lery against five thousand, and then against fifteen
thousand of the enemy, with fifty ships raining
bombs and rife shot the isl:nd and with the
best horse artillery. What an unequal conflict =
! And yet the first FIVE thousand were beaten back
by our gallant men, with a courage worthy Of the
best days of the world. They fought on for hours,
a forlorn hope going to death captivity, the pre-
/ destined victims OF military murder which re-
suited from neglect netcency the part of those
who had supreme command in that quarter. Upon
whose head rests this awful military crime? Did
Gen. Huger and did the Secretary of War do theiI
duty? At the very moment this battle was raging
aud for weeks previously, this State had two regi
inents of infantry and battery of artillery on the
coast Of South Carolina guarding the native State
of this very General; and yet, though appealed tc
in the most earnest terms, he would neither sent
sufficient forces to defend the island, nor make ar
rangements for the escape of our vanqushed troops
/ We think the manner IN which this State has been
treated By the Confederate government in relation
to Roanoke Island, calls for investigation both herr
and at Richmond