Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-02-19

The Disaster at Roanoke ISland.
Inns important point-perhaps the most impor-
tant in the Confederate States-ought to have been
defended and maintained all hazards; defended
fora time with arrangements previously made for the
escape of our troops or, if not defended in one OF
these ways. it ought to have been promptly aban-
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 island-the
Slst-was very poorly armed; and we know also,
that the island was badly fortified One of the Off
GERS of this regiment, foreseciag the result OF tho
attack on the island, wrote to US at length on the
26th of January, putting US in possession OF the
facts relating to the condition of the regiment and
also stating that the defences the island were
trely 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:
g As to the defences here you are mistaken. The |
island is wretchedy 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
stOrmng our batteries in the rear? Besides. give
it not my opinion, but as the opinion Of good
judges that the enemy can run the blockade with
impunty As to the means of retreat, spoken OF
in the Standard, that has never once been thought
of. have written to you as friend of the soldier,
but hope this letter will be used unless there is
a necessity fo, it"
The worst apprehensions Of our correspondent
have been realized. The enemy did land at the
very point at which he feared they would land; and
batteries constructed of earth and turf and open
as the day to the enemy's bombs were of but little
service There were five Of these 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 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 ap-
pears that Col Shaw had mounted three small
cannon, sehich acere draun By mules and this was
all the flying artillery he had. The shot gave out
in the midst of the conflict and ox-cart was sent
shot could be obtained from distant point on the
! island, our brave boys were overwhelmed. Gen.
Henningson, with his fine battery of artillery, was
not on the island, but ut Elizabeth City. He had
special orders, we learn, to report himself on the
island We do not, in the slightest degree, censure
the General for he acted under ORDERS and no doubt
desired to he in the fight but it is probable that
| even his battery alone, used 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 tnan 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-
ery, against five thousand and then against fifteen
Thousand of the enemy, with fifty ships raining
bombs and rifle shot on the Sind, and with the
best horse artillery. What an unequal conflict J.
And vet the first five thousand were beaten back
by our gallant men, with courage worthy of the
best days of the world They fought on for hours,
fororn hope, going to death or captivity, the pre-.
destined victims Of military murder, which re-
suited from neglect netciency on the part of those
who had supreme command in that quarter. Upon
whose head rests this awful military crime' Die
Gen. Huger and did the Secretary Of War do thei'
duty? At the very moment this battle was raging
and for weeks previously, this State had two regi
ments of infantry and battery of artillery on th'
coast Of South Carolina, guarding the native Stat
of this very General; and yet, though appealed II
in the most earnest terms, he would neither sent
sufficient forces to defend the island make al
rangements for the escape of vanquished troops
We think the manner in which this State has beer
treated by the Confederate government in relation
to Roanoke Island, calls for investigation both her
and at Richmond.