Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-03-22
For the Standard.
wooDr11.E, Perqnimaas Co, N. CT
3! d March 9Th, 1852.

Editor Rdtetghs Standdfd:-fs - ..
DEAR SIR: More than month has elapsed since
the capture Of Roanoke Island, and I have been in
daily anticipation of official report giving
correct account Of that, to US, disastrous defeat
In youriSSsie Of the 18th ut, my attention was
attracted to the injustice done in such accounts as
have been published, to the North Carolina troops
at that post Sin default of abler pen, 1t Is here
proposed to say something in yindication oil those,
who, despite os all that may be SAID to the contrary
bravely sought 70 defend their native soil IRON,
the polIuting tread OF mn invading foe-hShtlng until
resistance would have been suicidal folly, against
od.lS of IN re than Zen. to ono. pei = q --
i We have suffered defeat which lays open to the
mercy Of our enemy tie Albemarle and Currituck
Sounds and their tributaries, which water, what
may be Justly called the granary OF Eastern North-
Carolina; capable of supplying our forces IN Nor
folk and Richmond to an almost unlimited extent
But throughout this entire region the Industrious
hand Of the producers is paralyzed while the rear
of Norfolk Is seriously threatened and the posses
sion of our railroads jeoparded When results so
disastrous occur small wonder IS IT. that the euorI
should be made to throw the responsibility upon the
shoulders Of the mere handful OF men who were
there exposed to certain death capture in spite
Of repeated and timely warning to those whose duty
it was to secure point calcl by Gen. HILL, the
key to the heart of the Southern Confederacy.
The dcfcnces of Roanoke Island consisted OF Forts
Huger Blanchard and Barlow, on the Island; ana
Fort Forrest OH the Tyrrel shore. These were on
breaStwork across narrow detile between Two
swamps which were declared by all the inhabitants
to be utterly impossible to man or beast IL WAS
considered a second rhermopylT. The result PAIN
fully demonstrated the alsehood Of these statements
Gen. Wise, i'll the one brief visit which he PAID
this most important post did not take the trouble to
risit aH these forts but he expressed notwithStand
ing his contempt for these dcfenceS (publicy) not
only there but elsewhere. No attempt was made
however, on his part, to improve them; so that II
is reasonable to suppose that he was not really IN
earnest unless the fact that he never afterwards
trusted himself for an hour to their protection
be accepted proof to the contrary. Inc enemy
came and we were conquered since which time,
the Virginia papers with the Enquirer at their head
have been railing the cOwardce of the surrender,
and are bitter in their denunciatien Of the North
Carolina troops. Let us see with what justice.
The fight was commenccd by an attack on Fort
Barlow manned by Hills battalion composed OF
two companies of the 18th regiment N. O. troops,
the State Guards and the John Harvey Guards
These two companies being from PaSquutank aud
PerQuimanS counties, were lighting almost at the
thresholds OF their doors ard lii defence Of their own
fireSdcs, and they ceriainty Fought as they khetc
aud rilt a. Major G.. p Hin is a native of Whining
ton, y. G. The result was that though the whole
force of this formi sable Burnside feet was brought
TO bear upon this little carthwork they tried in vain
TO silence its guns during the whole of one day. and
when on the next they Lcgan again, they found the
shattered walls repaired and the men ready as ever
to begin the fight. Nor is this all This fort tthc
only one whatever lies the Yankees may tell TO the
contrary, which they trusted themselves within the
reach of was attacked upon the left flank because
by this method they rendered it impossible for US
to use more than four Of the nine guns mounted on
it, The other FIVE were in embraSurcS md ccre
neccr fred because they coHld not be brought 10 bear
upon 'he cHem,y. These heis 1cre surrendered un-
conquered (through stern necessity y for long be-
We ordered Ia liSmantle anu SDlke their
guns the feet with I'll its vaunted strength, had
quietly given up the c0ntcSt and withdrawn beyond
their reach. Surely there must have been good
fighting and good management of those four ~ 10.
guns (ony Of which was riied;) such as could
have been expected from none but cool and deter
mined men. At any rate. they can say that this is
the ,tIst Instance since tie commenced Of a
similar resvlt where mud fort has been attacked
by such overwhelming disparity OF force.
1t Loyal Of the Navy, and L. Talcot OF the
Engineers, though not in command OF any of the
guns were with us throughout the day. Captain
Tay or Of the Navy, came IN the afternoon. These
gentlemen dill much by their skill aud good exam
pie TO encourage and assist the gunners and though
from orr sister State Virginia, we feel proud to
share with them the praise which was extortcd from
our foes, and which demand simple justice
from frieidS not only in our native State, but
wherever the story Of the defence Of FORT BAETow
is told.
On Saturday an attack was made on the cntrcnch-
nent land. The enemy say, in their published
account that they had landed II 900 men, and they
not in the habit of estimating their forces
Now, up To this time, Col. Shaw had not more than
800 men under his command At least $50 men
were in the Forts on the Sound. Two companies
of his regiment were supporting las rcScrvc) Fort
Barlow Deduct ;he guard necessarily detailed for
the encampments; then deduct the sick, and it will
be seen what number he had to resist this force
-Four ha"Lred ard sir men manned the entrcnch-
mcut; the rest held in reserve for their sup
ISrt.
All honor to these men, who, for more than four
hours kept the enemy at bay, while regiment follow
ing regiment marched To the attack. For rs
each regiment was made to wavcr by our CALLING
fire, it was countcrmarchcd beyond the reach Of
harm, and fresh one supplied its place. He who
would cast stigma upon their names, because out
numbered and out. hanked they were forced to re-
treat, does wanton injustice not only TO the living,
but to the dead who watered with their blood this
well contested field. ....
! For the Virginia troops is claimed the credit of
! tins defence. But, by the side of the McCul!och
! Rangers and tie Richmond Blues, were two compa-
mes of the Sth and two Of the 3lst N c. troops who
shared equally the dangers and the losses, they
should the koHOrs Of the day. Here fell the gallant
! Wise with nine Of his men wounded around him
! but equally expo ed, the brave WhtSon wound
! ed with seven Of his men, two Of his company being
! left dead on the field. Here Coles was killed, but
lighting ny his SIDE lell the equally chlVaTOuS MOn-
roc. Here, too fell the lion-hearted Selden, than
whom was Drawer rendered better service on
that day. Indeed it may re sald that he and Maj.
Hill were the heroes Of Roanoke, without dispar-
! aSement to others.
! l have no wish to detract auSht from the praise
due to VIrg MAS noble sons; but when the laurel
| wreath is twned for them another must encircle
the brows Of those who upon their native soil. and
shoulder to shoulder with thcm met and strOve
! QhOugh unavangly) to drive back this invading
horde.
The result of farther resistance after our troops
/ were driven from their entertainment could have
been but a useless waste of life-the end must have
been the same. Those who would accuse Col. Shaw Of
cowardice should have seen him at Fort Bal tow,
which he usitnh thrn,rh rnrEect teInneSt Of Shot