The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-15
THE BATTLE OF PLYMOUTH.

We have received the following account of tL
fight at, and of the evacuation of Plymouth. Brig
Gen. Baker reached Plymouth on Sunday even
ing, the 3Oth ult, at a time when the enemy com
menced severe shelling. The enemy had attemp
ted to advance in their gunboats after the destruc
tion of the Abemarle, aud were handsomely re
pulsed by the lower fort. They then retired, will
one gunboat seriously disabled Afterward they
entered branch Of the Roanoke, called Middle
river, and for while shelled the town from tha,
river, to-wit, for twenty four hours-during hicl
time it is presumed they were engaged 10 remov
ing the Instructions in that stream. Gen. Baker
perceiving the necessity, set about at once
Strengthening the upper Fort, forcseelng that the
gunboats would enter the Roanoke from the Mid
die river above the town and attack him in reverse
This was done in the night; sharpshooters were al
SO thrown out to annoy the enemy's working party
engaged in removing the distractions; but the
heavy shelling from the gunboats rendered them
unserviceable.
About 10 O'clock, A. NJ, Of Monday, the enc
ny's boats entered the Roanoke from Middle river
above, and under heavy sheIling from the upper
Fort, nine gunboas, heavily armed, commenced
the attack. The Fort was defended until its mag
azine was blown up and the Fort rendered useless.
The boats then passed on to the lower Fort, which,
after severe contest had all of its guns dsmount-
ed-thus leaving the river clear Of any artillery
town, with very slight loss, under a tremendous
bombardment. Everything was brought off, cx-
cept the heavy guns and three pieces of Lees bat
tery, which could not be brought off because its
horses were killed or disabled.
From this account it will be that Gen. Ba-
ker did all that could have been done under the
circumstances; and the character Of this officer had
given assurance beforehand, that whatever could
be done in the way of fighting, would be done In
this particular the public expectation has not beea
disappointed.
fellow citizens who know the value of Ply ymouth.
deeply aggrieved at its loss. That there is blame
somewhere, is beyond question The universal
sentiment, as far have heard it expressed, is
that the loss of the Albemarle from sheer neg
ligence. Whether Plymouth was put into pro-
per state of defence, and if not who is responsible
for it, are questions yet to be investigated Raj
eigh Confederate.
The Loss of the GunJoot AUemarle-Captain
A. F. Marley, commander of the Abemarle, in his
official report to the Navy Department. says that
the night being exceeding dark, he had the watch
doubled on the Albemarle, and took extra precau-
ton to prevent mishap. About o'clock boat
was discovered coming towards the vessel; it was
hailed but gave satisfactory answer. All hands
were mustered as quickly as possible and fire of
S"S
darkness, was Intellectual. The after gun was
loaded With grape aud fired, but could not be sufh-
ciently depressed to take effect. The boat struck
under the port bow and exploded torpedo, smash
ing hole in the Altemarle just under the water
line, our men pouring upon them a heavy fire OF
musketry. The officers in charge of the torpedo
boat instantly surrendered aud were sent ashore.
The pumps were set to work, but could not save
the vessel and she went down in few moments,
opIy her snoke-stack and shield remaining visible
above the water.
Captain Marley says, further, that he received
no notice from the picket boat below, nor did the
artillery on the shore give him any assistance
RAILROAD AccIDENT-Green N. c., Nov.
e-The evening train from this place for Danville,
ran off the track at o'clock this afternoon, three
miles from town. General Bankhead, of MIssis-
sippi, and Mrs. Palmer, of Richmond, were in
jured the latter severely, rendering the amputa
ton of one leg necessary. Several others were
slightly injured Three cars, with their freight
were totally wrecked,
Eay~ Since the days that the modest Adcnis He'd
from the wooing embrace of the lovely Venus
there has probably never occurred more surprls'
inn instance of human modesty than that which