Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-11
Written for The Evening Star.
4 n TuPnrnIrfo

more and Ohio railroad at the Annapolis juno
ton at a late hour of the night in the month of
August, 1851. The circumstances under which
the command was given can be explained only
by giving the history of the preceding days
Gen. Butler had become weary of the inac tivity
that characterized the policy Of the govern
ment In and about Fortress Monroe, which was
his Headquarters as the commander of that de-
partment. He saw many things that might be
done, as he believed. offensive and precaution-
airy, and frequently though vsinly asked
permission to do some of them.
Meanwhile the rebels were active
in many ways. They had constructed a fort,
quite . formidable earthwork at the mouth Of
Hatteras inlet intending to command that en-
trance TO the important waters of North Caro-
Ina, position which Gen. Butler regarded
and SO represented to the authorities at Wash
Ington Of vast importance. The ACCURACY of
his Judgment was proved by subsequent events.
10y repeated eXpostulatiOus and urgent appeals
he obtained permission TO organize an expedi-
uon TO capture that Hatteras fortlfication of
the rebels; and i'll the month OF August q naval
force under the command of Commodore
StrlnGham and a land force on transports
commanded by Gen. Butler left Hampton
Roads. Inc naval part of the expedition con-
sisted OF the frlSates Minnesota, Wabash, Cum
berland, Congress. Susquehannah and a num-
Der OF smaler craft 1t was formidable
force on the part of the navy. The land force
was far less formidable. as the work would have
to be done by bombardment, heavy guns on
vessels standing out at sea. The crews of the
ships we're all seasoned land under the highest
discipline, and as a naval exhibition not dur
ing the whole war was there better without
1t was at New Orleans and Mobile. The land
force was to occupy and hold the rebel works
when they were captured, in doing which also
II would be ready to take part.
FORT HATTFRhs WAS FoRNIDlBrr
Fort Hatteras was an earthwork on the outer
most point of land of the inlet leading to the
North Carolina sounds and Roanoke Island.
On it were mounted formidable number of
heavy guns from the Gosport navy yard. The
Importance Of the position had been early seen
by the rebels, as it had been by Gen. Butler
and while our government hesitated they had
been active IN foctlfviag it.
The fitting out of the Butler-Stringham ex-
petition had been reported to the rebels as
nearly everything OF the kind was in those
days. and when the expedition appeared OF
Hatteras the enemy was prepared for it. The
rebel forces were in reverse of the Union
forces, that Is. 1t was strongest for land opera
tons and weak from the naval point of view.
There was o rebel navy. thong III there was a COM
modore, whose only craft consisted 1.-TWO small
unarmored sound side-wheelod steamers. OF
these Commodore BarrOn-an honorable name
IN our naval histOry-was in command and
advisor in general though Col Daniels of the
North Carolina volunteers was in nominal COM
mand. His troops numbered about 700 of the
volunteers Of that state. incompietelv armed
but full OF determination. There was Lieut..
Lamb, who, like Barron, had only a short time
before left tie Union service and gone over to
the rebels.
THE FORT TAKEN.
The weather was fine, the sea calm, as it
rarely was, and after duly accommodating the
position operations began in earnest by our
fleet opening fire on the fort. There was a
small fort ct one side of the main one and this
quickly silenced. Not so, however, Fort
Hatteras. The rebel guns, under the direction
OF Barron and Lanit, were well served. and it
was not until the boEbardment had extended
into the third day that the rebel work displayed
the white flag. The fact was that during the
whole of the bombardment. with the exception
OF the last half hour. our ships had been using
fuses that exploded the shells short OF the in
tended fatal aim. BY increasing the fuses to
three and half seconds the shells of the ships
speedily rendered the fort untenable. Flee the
troops could not and there was nothing to do
but surrender. There had been considerable
slaughter in the fort, though not man OF the
Union forces had received a scratch.
Win 100 prisoners on their hands it was ques-
ton with Strin8ham and Butler what to do with
them. Butler was not long in proposing so,u-
ton. 1t was that the whole 100, with Barrow
and Lanit. should be putaboard the great frigate
Mime sofa and taken to New York. At first the
naval people did not like ii. but il was decided
On. The sequel showed how excellent was But
lcr's Judgment. for when the frigate arrived in
New York Larbor it was the signal for the re-
ylval of the patriotic spirit. 1t was tangible
evidence that somebody had been doing some
thing.
The captured fort was occupied by Buffers
troops Stringnam set sail for the north and
Butler started on the transport Adelaide for
Washington by way of Annapolis, which he was
N IA haFa fl,a af h -
the expedition could be known to the country
And he did. 1t was during the last hour of the
journey that the words of command with which
this sketch opens were spoken. Reaching An
napolis, a locomotive and passenger car were
found and In due time Butler and his staff and
a correspondent who had accompanied him Oh
the expedition started for Washington. On ar
irving at the junction they were told by an
officer Of the road that their train could not
proceed until he regular train for Baltimore
from Washington had passed.
NEW SCHEDULE.
''Has the train left Washington yet?" asked
Butler.
He was informed it had not. He then asked
how long it would be before it would leave
Washington under the schedule. He was in
formed it would be in a certain number of
minutes.
Cannot this train run to Washington before
that train will leave:'
lie was told 1t might do It, but 1t was con-
trary to the regulations Of the road.
Then" said Butler. I'VE viii do it."
''But it is contrary to the regulations" re-
peated the railroad man.
No, it is not" quickly replied Butler
There are new regulations in force now--go
through
The engineer seemed to hesitate, but on a
motion from Butler he mounted the locomo-
tive. Butler following him. remarking, 'Iknow
something about q locomotive myself"
Butler had calculated the time and distance
and in few words the engineer was made to
understand what was expected OF him. The
train sped as trains were not in the habit of
doing In those days, Butler taking frequent
observations OF his watch and the distance
achieved.
1t was midnight when the lights of the capt.
tai hove in sight. The whistle screamed as the
train neared the station and entered the depot
with several minutes to spare.
We'll done, my man., said Butler. ''The
new regulations are revoked and the old ones
renewed, he added as ne sprang into a car
riage. 1t is due to the engineer to say that
when Butler wanted the engine he manifested
perfect Willingness, saying: Its oil right if
you are going"
JOY AT TIE GOOD NEWS.
In the briesest time the general was at the
house OF Montgomery Blair. Not soul knew
of the success of the expedition. Blair was
elated to the highest pitch, and il was not long
before the health of the vctors had been drank