The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-08-08

W. MANASSAS, are, loT lHc
" following reasons, of
great Importance. First,
| the Unionists, by getting
a sufficient foothold in Eastern North
Carolina, could march westward and
sever Richmond from her railroad
connections to the south. Ever If
this step were not made, Confederate
troops would be drawn from the de-
fence Of Richmond for that of North
Carolina. Secondly, the Unlonlsts, by
occupying the towns on her coast,
could break up root and branch the
cOntraband trade, Which, owing to the
channels and s~inuOusities Of the coast,
was kept UP in spite of the block
aiding fleet. Thirdly, the numerous
citizens in the eastern counties who
sympathized with the North, and We're
known as "Buffaloes," could be reas-
sured and offered protection. Lastly,
the victories of Burnside on the Caro-
lima coast came at a time when the
North was disheartened at it's defeat
at Manassas and impatient with the
inactivity of McClellan's army. They
tended to restore confidence and patch
up the ill-feeiing toward the army.
Fall of HatteraS, August %, 1851.
Hatteras inlet was guarded by two
forts, Fort HatteraS and Fort Clark.
The latter was the smaller and was
situated seven hundred yards seaward
from the former. Both were circu-
lar and covered about t~wo-thirds OF
an acre Of ground. Hatteras fort a
a bOmbproof magazine capable Of
sheltering three or four hundred men
and was defended by eight thirty-two
FOUNDER smooth bore guns, while the
smaller fort was defended by only
two six-pounders and five small guns.
All - ~ IL
ammunition was scarce, and, all told.
there were only us poorly trained
men to hold the forts.
On August 26th, 1861, a formidable
Federal fleet under command Of
Commodore Strin CHAM and land
forces under Gen. B. F. Butler, love
in sight Of these forts. The engage
the morning Of the 28th IN account
of the rough weather. When it did
begin ten of the largest vessels Of the
fleet opened a destructive fire on Fort
Clark. In the meantime Gen. Butler
attempted to land a part Of his forces,
but his men found great difficulty in
the small boats on the rough water.
It was only after several hours strug-
Cling that 318 men under Col. Max
Weber got ashore.
The small garrison in the fort kept
up a steady fire on the fleet, although
their shot fell short, until their am
munition was exhausted and their
guns dismantled. They then spiked
the guns lowered the flag and fell
pack to Fort Hatteras.
Col. Weber then advanced to the
vacated fort, where he quartered his
men for the night, and the fleet, on
account Of the threatening weather,
was compelled to take an offing.
Webber's men were not attacked by
the garrison in the larger fort during
the night. as their number was un-
known and there was considerable
damage to the larger fort during the
day that had to be repaired.
Next morning at TAO O'Clock the
larger vessels, Minnesota. Wabash,
S~usquehanna, Cumberland. Pawnee
and Harriet, carrying the largest
guns, opened a very accurate fire on
Fort Hatteras. The garrison actively
returned the fire, but, with the great
est elevation of their guns, th cir shot
fell short of the fleet. 1t was soon
evident to them that a continuation Of
the conflict meant for them a greater
loss Of life, and for the enemy no
damage. Besides, the magazine was
reported on fire, a shell having fallen
through the ventilation of the bomb
proof into the room adjoining the
principal magazine. There remained
but one thing for them to do; that
was to raise a white flag. This. by
unanimous consent. was done imme-
diately and the firing ceased.
Samuel Barron, in of the
garrison. then offered to surrender
Fort Hatteras with the arms and am
munition of war. the officerssalIowed
to go with their side arms aad the
men without arms to retire. In re-
ply to this Gen. Butler said he%could
not admit terms proposed. The terms
offered by him were .sfuil capitufation.
the officers and men to be treated as
prisoners Of war. No other terms ad-
missible." The garrison being help
less in the man-trap. had no a~Iterna-