Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-12-10

al !.
bern. When it was ascertained that the feet had
passed our coast Col. Lees command returned to
Virginia -. ~, ~. ~
The defensive works in both districts were push
ed forward during the mouths of November and |
December Gen. Hill who had done much in a short
time to place his district in state of Defence was
BY direction of the War Department. relieved by
Brig. Gen. L. OBJ. Branch, the latter part of No
vember The force in the district of the Pamlico
was increased by the addition Of Spruils regiment
of cavalry land the 31st regiment, which had been
ordered by the Governor to Beaufort county to com
pete its organization, was ordered to Roanoke Is
land to relieve the Sd Georgia regiment. 1t arrived
at its destination on the 18th of December A num-
Der of companies Of infantry, artillery and cavalry,
had been raised for local defence and special service
The year closed with rumors of another feet being
in course Of preparation for descent upon the
Southern coast.
Being satisfied from the reported character Of the
vessels to be used this expedition that it
intended for our Sounds, addressed letter to the
War Department on the Sd of January, 1852, draw
ing attention to the want of troops in this depart
ment, and urged that large reserve force be sent
to Godsborough and placed at my disposal also
wrote to Gov. Clark on the same day, requesting
that the newly formed regiments though but par
TALLY armed, and suffering much from sickness, be
sent to me- Soon these regiments were reported in
the movement commenced. The 33d, 35th and 9th
regiments were sent to NewGern, and the 34th regi
ment halted at Goldsborough to wait for its arms,
which had been promised by the War Department
On the 18th of January, received information
from Gen. Branch of the arrival at Hatteras of for
ty two steamers, and number of sail vessels, and
after information confirming in the opinion that
the Burnside expedition was assembling at that
point, 1 again addressed the War Department, on
<IoO 80 t., &boo
of such magnitude, that to meet it successfully
our forces should be largely increased and drew at
ton to my letter of the Sd January relative to
serve force being placed at Goldsborough. On the
22d requested Gov, Clark to call out the militia
of Edgecombe, Pitt, Beaufort, Greene, Wayne Lee
nor, Jones and Craven counties, and direct them to
report to Brig. Gen. Branch.
The defensive works of Gen. Branch's district
wepe pushed forward with industry, and that gal
liant officer spoke hopefully Of his ability to defend
Newbern.
On the 30th of January wrote to the War De-
partment relative to the high stage of water in the
Roanoke and of the practicability of its being as
cended by the encmy's gunboa;s as high as the
bridge at Weldon should they pass Roanoke Island;
requested that in the event of the Island falling,
upon the news of it reaching Richmond, that at
least light battery be sent at once Halifax, to
which point would send regiment of infantry
represented my deficiency Of troops, and requested
to be Informed what re endorsements might expect
in case of the fall of Roanoke Island or an attack
on Newborn r..
On the 10th of February, telegram from Gen'l.
| Huger announced the fall of Roanoke Island. The
34th regiment was at once ordered to the Roanoke
for the defence of that river and the Governor hav
ing sent down the 3Sth regiment it was ordered to
| Weldon, to protect the bridge at that point Two
pieces of artillery with an undrilled detachment
having been sent to me, were ordered to the same
| point also Capt fuckers company of cavalry, l
wrote to the War Department. requesting that ad-
ditiona forces be that section as the force
then en- route were only sufficient to check the
etemy, should he attempt to ascend the river.
Finally, Captain Meade was sent to locate batteries
on the Roanoke. This officer had been sent By me,
| few weeks previous, to make an examination of
the Roanoke country. He furnished memoir of
his observations, accompanied by map of the
river. On the 2Gth of February received an order
from the War Department, transferring the coun-
ties of Martin, Halifax, Northampton and BERTHE to
the department of Gen. Huger.
The headquarters of the 10th regiment, artillery,
Col. j.. a. j. Bradford commanding, were establish
ed at Goldsboro' February Is.
| With the view Of demonstrating the forces of the
district Of the Pamlico, the 7th and 26th reg ments
were sent to Newbern, Majer Halls command was
withdrawn from Hyde County, the 2 companies 81
the 7th and the companies of the SD regiment
sent to Newbern, and the companies of the 1t;
regiment sent to Washington. The batteries cF
Higgins and Harker's Islands were withdrawn aiic
the garrison of Fort Macon reduced to five compa
MES of artillery the largest number that could be
sheltered in the Fort in case Of seige; the surplus
troops sent to Newbern and the Fort supplied wiil
seven months provisions.
On the 9th of February, I made, by direction o
the Secretary of War, "a report Of my forces thei
disposition, and my means and plans of defence.
In it stated "you will perceive that large in
crease to The force at Newborn should be made It
place it on equality with the force that attacke
Roanoke lsland;" and again, "the force under my
command is very inadequate to the defence OF SO ex
tensive coast, against an enemy who has possess
ion of our Sounds, and can direct his large COLUMN
against any point he may elect" And yet on tn
Sd of March, received telegram from the Secre
tary of War, directing the withdrawal of the troop
from Washington and the sending them to Suffolk
Virginia
To satisfy myself that the defensive works at New
bern were such as they should be, ordered boar
of officers to consist of Col Charles Lee, infantry
Lieut. Col Crossen and Major Thompson, artillery
and Captain Meade, engineer, to assemble at New
bern on the 7th of March, who were to examine tn
works, and to recommend sach alterations and &C
dtions as might appear proper, and in order sot t
delay they we're to indicate, from time to time, tn
proposed alterations and additions to Gen. Branch
who was instructed to carry out the recommends
tons of the Board speedily as possible. Thi
Board would have been ordered at much earle
day, but for the mpractica5ility of securing the
vices of Capt. Meade, an engineer in whose capacit
l had great confidence, and whom had been con
PEELED to send to erect batteries Oh the Roanoke,
before stated ..-...
! went to Newborn on the 9TH of March, and o
the 9Th inspected the water batteries in compan
with General Branch and the Board. ] had gor
to Newbern with the intention of remaining theI
for several days, but found myself SO unwell on III
Oh as to render a return to Gollsboro' advisable
On the 18th of March received note from Gel
Branch announcing the advance of the enemy u
the Neuse river. The fact was at once telegraphe
to the Governor and the War Department. and r
Inducements asked for. sent orders to Gen. Al
| derson to send up Col. Lanes regiment, the onl
| tronns sufficiently near Wilmington to be ayailah