Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-04-23
THE ROANOKE ISLAND DEFEAT.


Why fear to plunge in JOrdan's rolling tide,
And lind the ocean Ut eternal dayf
THE ROANOKE ISLAND DEFEAT
Yesterday morning Col. B. S. Gather, Chairman,
of the Roanoke Island Investigating Committees Oh
the House of Representatives submitted the ioilo"
ing report He also submitted very volumlnous
mass Of testimony covering five hundred and thirty
four manuscript pages, which he desired to be re-
ceived and laid on the table Without reading. The
report of the committee exclusive of the testimony
(which embraces Gov. Wises Report Of the 2lst, }
vas ordered to be printed:
REPORT.
The committee to whom was referred resolution
of the House of Representatives, instructing them
to INQUIRE and report the and circumstances
of the capitulaton of Roanoke Island, have had the
same under consideration, and have given all the
facts and circumstances connected with the detences
of the said Island and its adjacent waters, and of
the capitulaton on the sth Of February, most
elaborate investigation.
The committee find, that on the 21st day of Aug
1851, Brig Gen. Gatn was ordered to the com
mand of the Department of North Carolina, and the
coast defences of that State. On the 29th Of Sept,
Brig Gen. D. II. Hill was assigned to duty in North
Carolina and charged with the defences of that por
ton Of said State lying between Albenarle Sound
and the Ncuse River and PamIico Sound including
those waters, and was directed to report to Brig
Gen. Gatlin.
On the 10th CT November Brig. Gen. L. OBJ.
Branch directed to relieve Brig. Gen. Hill in
command of his district in North Carolina
On the 2lst of December, that part of North Car
olina east of the Chowan river, together with the
counties OF Washington and Tyrrel, was, at the re.
quest Of the proper authorities of North Carolina,
separated from the remainder. and constituted into
military district, under Brig. Gen. Ii. A. Wise,
and attached to the command of Maj. Gen. Huger,
commanding the department of Norfolk AT the
time, therefore, Of the surrender of Roanoke Island,
on the 9Th of February, 1862, it was within the
military district of Brig Gen. Wise, and attached
to the command of Maj. Gen. Huger
The military defences of Roanoke Island and its
adjacent waters the said Sth of February, 1862
consisted of Fort Barlow, the most southern of the
defences on the west side of the Island, sand fort
we'll covered with turf having six long 80 pound
guns in einbrasure, and three 32-pounders en- bar
bette
The next is Fort Blanchard, on the same side of
the Island about two and one.half miles from Fort
Barlow, semi-circular sand fort turted and noun.
ting four 80 Founders en- barbette
Next on the same side, and about twelve hundred
yards from Fort Blanchard, is For: Huger This is
turfed sand fort, running along the line of the
beach and closed in the rear by low breastwork,
with barquette for infantry. 1t contained eight
en- barbette and two small SO Founders en- 6ar6ette
on the right.
About three miles below Fort Barlow, on the east
side of the Island was a battery of two 32-pound
guns, en- barbette, at point known as Midgett's
Hammock
In the centre of the Island, about two miles from
Fort Barlow, and mile from Mldgett's Hammock
was redoubt or breastwork thrown across the road
about 70 or 80 feet long, With embrasures for three
guns, on the right of which was a swamp, on the
lett marsh, the redoubt reaching nearly between
them, and facing to the South
On the Tyrrell side, on the main land, nearly op-
posite to Fort Huger, was Fort Forrest, mounting
seven 81 Founders.
In addition to these defences on the shore and on
the Island, there was barrier of piles, extending
from the east side of Fulker Shoals towards the
Island. Its object to compel vessels passing on
the west side of the Island to approach within the
reach OF the shore batteries but up to the Sth of
February there span of LOO yards open 3D.
posite Fort Barlow. Some vessels had been sunk
and piles driven on the west side of Fulker Shoals
to obstruct the channel between that shoal and the
main land, which comprise all the defences, either
upon the land, or in the waters adjacent
The entire military force stationed upon the island
prior to, and at the time of the late engagement:
consisted of the 9Th regiment North Carolina State
troops, under the command of Col H. NJ Shaw:
the 3lst regiment North Carolina Volunteers, under
the command of Col. j. v Jordan; and three COM
panies of the 18th regiment North Carolina Troops
under the command Of Major G. II. Hill. After
manning the several Forts, on the 18th of February
there were but 1924 men left and 200 of them were
upon the sick list. On the morning of the 9TH of
February, Brig. Gen. Wise sent from Mays Head.
under command of Lieut.. Colonel Anderson, rein.
forcenent numbering some 45O men. This does
not include the commands of Lieut. COL Green and
Maj. Fry, both of whom reached the scene of action
after the battle was closed. The committee do not
think there was any intentional delay in the landing
Of the commands Of Col. Green and Maj. Fry The
former, Col Green, exhibited great anxiety to get
into the fight, when he did land and acted with
great gallantry in the skirnish he did have with
the enemy in the vicinity Of the camps. The whole
under the command of Brig. Gen. Wise, who, upon
the 9TH and 9Th of February vas at Mays Head four
miles distant from the Island, confined to sick bed
ana entirely disabled from participating in the &C.
lion IN person. The immediate command there
ore deVoiVed upon Col H. NJ. Shaw, the senior of:
icer present.
, On the 9th of February, it was discovered that
Inc enemys fleet was in Panlico Sound, South of
Roanoke Island and apparently intending to attack
Inc FORCES upon the Island. Col Shaw immediately
communicated the fact to Brig Gen. Wise and is.
sued orders for the disposition Of his .oons
'tory to an engagement The points at which it
was supposed the enemy would attempt to land
roops, were Ashby's and Pugh's landings. Ash.
oys Is situated on the West side of the Island
ABOUT two miles South of Fort Barlow, and Pugh's
W tI,e same side, about two miles South of Ashby's
s us, night Of the 6th early on the morning Of
Vas ,.a, detachment with one piece of artillery
Of a,t;ls pughs landing, and one with two peccs
If tho forS. was sent to Ashbys and the remainder
;ty If were stationed in the immediate vicin.
snvs sst y. B. On the morning Of the 7h the en-.
sssded towards For " both the landings, and pro.
Infantry stationed at pushs mmedsteiv III,
70 the vicinity Of Ashbys landing and o; n 9aS ~.
attachments there. all under the comm,nd Of cnI
J. Y. Jordan S S'Au's1 u ooi'
In the sound, between Roanoke Island ard Tho
man land on the Tyrrsll side Commodore Lynch
Win Ills squadron OF seven vessels, had taken posi