Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-03-19
Cen. Hin-wumlns.on journal.

able to answer our observations in relation to the
removal of Gen. Hill from his command in this,
State, charges us with being Influenced by malice
and personal luminosity towards we suppose, Gov
Clark and Judge Biggs. The Journal was never
more mistaken. 1t is our habit to discharge our
duty to our readers and to the public without fear
favor, or affection. We cherish malice towards no
one, and we have no personal luminosity against
Gov. Clark>or Judge Biggs. ls.a@,---- -.
" We now say to the Journal that We take back
nothing that We have said on the subject We
know that Gen. Hill was removed, and Gen. Branch
appointed in his place. on representations from the
highest authority" in this State. Who this
highest authority" was or is, We do not know
But the Journal says Judge Biggs denies that he
had any agency in the business No one has charg-
ed that he went or wrote to President Davis on the
subject; but we have heard that when General Hill
called out the militia under the order of Governor
Clark, Judge Bggs, before he knew that Gov. G.
had given the order, spoke in harsh terms of Gen.
Hill and that what he said largely instrumental
in exciting feeling among the people and among the
militia even, against Gen. Hill. As soon as Judge
Biggs got to Raleigh, and learned that Gov. Clark
was responsible for the order, he became very quiet
on the subject But adds the Journal, Gov. Clark
has "authoritatively denied" that he had any thing
to do with the removal of Gen Hill 1t is true
that newspaper in this City has made this denial.
but there is proof that it did SO "by authority"
The newspaper referred to is edited by corrupt men,
and is VIGOROUSLY under corrupt influences Decent
and respectable persons, who intelligent, believe
nothing that it says; and it cannot be possible that
Gov. Clark, who is a decent, intelligent and respect
able person, and who is also the Chief Magistrate of
the State could have stopped to authorize that paper
to make any statement for him. Besides, we beg
leave to remind the Journal that made, some
time Since, statement "by authority" from Gov
Clark to the effect that Gen. Hill had called out the
militia without authority from him; and that Gen.
Hill promptly replied, and proved by official dOcu-
ments that he had full authority for making the call
from Gov. Clark and Gen. Martin After such ex-
perience as this, the journal we know will excuse
for being little dubious of "by authority"
statements.
We again assure the Journal that we have no
wish to proong this controversy but the course of
that paper has rendered it necessary that We should
give more fully 1.-THE truth of history" in relation
to the removal Of Gen. Hill In October last Gen.
Hill visited Roanoke Island and found the batteries
improperly located, the troops out of position, the
guns such as to be of little service against the long
range pieces of the eEemy, and the batteries open
in the rear and liable to be taken by troops landed
on the lower end of the island. He gave directions
to move up the lower battery, gradually concentra
ting the guns at place, and that a line of en-
trencnments should be entirely the island,
to resist attack. 4 thousand men working
vigorously for a month, could have finished the
work. On second visit to the island he found but
little had been done, when he applied to have the
officer in command of the post relieved, and then
called out the militia He made third visit to the
island where the from several Counties had
been ordered to rendezvous. About 500 of the
militia of Chowan were there, but the Governor
had arrested the call, and the militia of Camden
and other Albemarle Counties did not appear But
for this interference Of the Governor, the island
could have been made Gibraltar of place in one
month
Gen. Hill set forth the importance of this island
to the Governor, the Secretary of War, the Secre-
tary of the Navy, but not a word of encouragement
did ne receive from any of these dignitaries All
the Governor did far as we are informed, was to
arrest the call for the militia and to interest him
self to have Gen. Hill removed.
We tell the Journal that we are thoroughly post
ed and that we know what we state to be true If
Gen. Hill had remained at Roanoke Island, Burn
side would have been repulsed and the island sue
cessfully defended; or, failing in that our troops,
cannon arms and munitions would have been saved.
If he had remained in command at Newborn, that
place would have been saved; or, failing in that he
would have won for our troops reputation equal
to that which was achieved at Bethel and Fort
Donelson.
We very much fear that Wilmington will be at
tackled next Week by week for months past, have
we warned the two governments OF the probable
designs of the enemy, and appealed to them to make
such arrangements for defence as would protect our
coast We have made the same appeals for Will
mington as for Hatteras Roanoke Island and New
bern. We voted in the Convention to devote any
amount from the State Treasury to defend Whining
ton, Newbern and Washington and we also voted
to raise $1,000 volunteers for State defence Our
skirts at least, clear. And yet when we appeal
and warn, and charge home incompetency, and ne
glect and sloh upon those to whose hands have been
confded our lives and fortunes the Journal charges
that we are governed by malice" and personal
animosity," and some of the faction with which
that paper acts pronounce us untrue to our native
State. We repeat what we have heretofore said,
that faction, and partyism and favorsm and sloth,
and dwelling incompetency at Raleigh and Rich
mond, are putting in jeopardy our very independ-
ence; and that, unless change, and very mate
rial change shall soon take place at both capitals
the enemy will overrun this State and Virginia.
| Would God it were otherwise Would God that
the record of HatteraS, and Roanoke Island, and
| Newbern had place in the archives of North
| Carolina! But at Newbern our troops fought all
alone, while % 900 Of our brave sons were guard