The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-04-30

helu possession OF that post as long as he
could have done so without useless s.cr;. "a
nee OF human life, That on the 7th ana oh
the officers and men in Fort Bartow disnlsv ~
ed great coolness. cougage and psrseysrinp
efforts to sustain their position and drive
back the enemy's feet.
la the battle Of the 9th of February. At the
redoubt, the officers and men exhibited 4
cool and deliberate courage, worthy of vet.
erans 10 the service, and sustained their no.
s'tion, under an uninterrupted and deadly
flre. for more than five hours, repulsing the
enemy IN three separate and distinct char
ges, and only withdrew from the deadly con.
fiict after erhaustIng their ammunition for
their artillery. and being surrounded and
fianked by more than ten times their number.
Instead of the result being " deeply humili,
ating.' II was one of the most brilliant and
gallant actions Of the war; and in the Ian.
guage Of their absent Commanding General.
both officers and men fought firmly, cooIly,
efficiently, and as long as humanity would
allow" The committee are satisfied that
the whole command did their duty, and they
do not feel at liberty to designate any par
ticuar acts of companies or Of individuals.
But in simple justice to Colonel Shaw, upon
whom deyoyed the command. by reason of
the extreme illness Of his superior, General
Wise. and who has been censured for the
result, the Committee take pleasure in stat
ing that there is no foundation for any just
reflection upon him. He, upon the 7th of
February. after disposng Of his infantry
force, and finding that the enemy did not in-
tend landing, repaired Immediately In per-
son to Fort Barlow, where the bombardment
was progressing. and made his way into the
Fort amidst the most imminent danger from
shot and shell. aud there remained encour.
aging the men and assisting as far as he was
able. until he discovered the enemy intended
TO effect a landing below. when be left the
Fort under the same dangerous circumstan-
ces Of the morning. to take command Of the
infantry IN person; and upon the 9th. at the
redoubt. he commanded in person, sharing
the dangers Of his men for more than FIVE
hours with 6rmness. coolness, and bravery
worthy of the position he occupied.
Immediately upon the secession OF the
State of North Carolina from the govern
ment of the United States, and the adoption
of The Constitution of the Confederate States
Of America, the authorities of that State
commenced the construction OF Notifications
at Hatteras and Oregon inlets. and other
points upon her coast, which we're not CON-
pIeted, when the State transferred her forts,
arsenals, army, navy and coast defences to
the Confederate government. Shortly there
after the attack was made upon Forts Hat.
teras and Clark. and they were taken, aud
the foriitications at Oregon inlet were aban-
doned, and the armament, stores and ammu-
milton we're removed to Roanoke Island.
The enemy Immediately appeared in force
in PamicO Sound. the waters Of which are
connected with Albemarle and Currituck
Sounds by means of the two smaller Sounds
Of Croaton and Roanoke. The Island Of
Roanoke being situated between these two
latter sounds, commanding the channels Of
each, became. upon the fall Of Hatteras aud
the abandonment Of Oregon inlet, only Sc.
cond in Importance to Fortress Monroe.
That Island then became the key which un.
locked all Northeastern North Carolina 10
the enemy, and exposed Portsmouth aud
Norfolk to rear approach, Of the most i'm.
,nineni danger. In the language Of Btigadier
General Wise, " that such is the importance
and value. in a military point Of view, Of
Roanoke Island, that i, ought 70 have been
defended by all the means in the power OF
the government. II was the key to al the
rear defences Of Norfolk. II unlocked two
and t'urrituek e'gn. r''
Northwest, PasquotanS, tne Per-
auimmans, the Little. the Chowan, tne noa-
noke and the Alligator; four eonals.,ne AZ
bemars and Chesapeake. hs sAs D'ss saoIS, Hna TWP
the Northwest canal and tne Ssno's, .Mv
raiIroads-the Petersburg and Norfolk ana
The sesboard and Roanoke. II guarded
four.fi(ths of al Noriolks supplies o. corn.
nor aork and md forage, and !, cut the command Of
Esn Huoer III from all Of ITS most eihcient
s" nu i,endangers the subsistence
ee h;s wb"le army. threatens the Navy Yard
=, @;s 9;s."o, ~"' sad q cut Of Norfolk from Rich.
~ 'aoa od'pvd p.nd both from Railroad communica-
.nonu, .. -, ~ NE south. II lodges the enemy
= W. " ~ b,rbOr from the storms Of Hatterss,
y - J ~ ,hsm ! rendezvous. and a large, rich
snss $50 n n supplies. and the command Of the
- 10, Il from Oregon Inlet 10 Cape Henry.
!. !. .LoalJ have been defended at the expense
4 Z aO. 600 men and Of many millions Of dol
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