The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1955-02-11
HOW TEMPUS REALLY
FUGITS
BIZ VICTOR MEEkINS


piles formed barricade strength
ened by a mound of dirt and mud.
These structures were built by
soldiers intent on defending our
sounds and rivers against Federal
invasion. Today, the mighty blows
of a pile driver resound through
the woods of this island, as it
pounds deep in the sandy bottom
the heavy concrete piles to sup
port a three mile bridge across
the sound.
Fifty years ago, and for some
years thereafter, l traipsed this
beautiful Roanoke Island shore
picking up lead bullets and round
shot, scraps of old guns, brass
buttons from soldiers clothes, etc.
The mound of the old fort then
stood, but the waters were eating
closer every year. There was a
fort just a few yards southwark
of the new bridge site-Fort
Huger. There was a smaller one
mile down the shore, Fort
Blanchard and some four miles
down, Just below Burnsides land
ing stood old Fort Barlow.
MY father had quite a collection
of iron shot, some of them rang
ing in diameter firm 4 inches to
eight inches, and there were two
or three sizes of cylindrical shells.
There were old nrusket barrels in
his collection, along with sword
buckles and numerous other items.
1t used to be easy to find these
old bomb-shells as we called them,
at low tide. Many of them might
be dredged up now. l once found
one while in bathing in five feet
of water off Burnsides.
All those old forts were built
of a huge earth embankment, with
a moat around them in which
stood sharp stakes. But little they
availed, for they didn't defend the
island. The Yankees came ashore
at Ashby's Harbor, now known as
Skyco landing, came through the
wet swamp, and they fought THEN
way up the main road which was
held by the infantry under Capt
o. Jennings Wise, son Of a former
Governor of Virginia and Their
General in command of the troops
at Roanoke Island. But Genera
Wise on that memorable February
day was i'll in a hotel in Mays
Head and his son was slain de-
Tending the fort which stood at
the roadside where now is the
substation serving Roanoke Is
land.
There were other forts on Ro-
anoke Island. One stood at the
north end where the highway now
runs overheard on the J. B. Grit
fin land. There were one or two
batteries on the opposite side OF
Croatan Sound, one at Redstone
Point.
The new bridge will have its
Manns Harbor terminus near Red
stone point and the other end will
be near Fort Huger on Roanoke
Island.
1t used to be fascinating, comb
ing the shore at low tide looking
for the old bullets, some of which
l now have. They would often be
found in little depression in the
hard clay at the bottom. The
securing action of the tide work
ing around the bullets, would
sweep out small hole into which
the heavy lead would gradually
sink.
When l began looking along tbs
shore, only 40 years had passed
since the memorable battle. but
now 90 years have rolled on
Time really flies, and each yeal
goes the faster. By certain marks
/ had at the time, l determine that
the west shore of Roanoke Island
has been washing away, or reced-
ing eastward at the rate of one
yard a year. Nearly 300 yards Of
shore front is gone; plantations
that were cultivated then arc now
overheard.
There were many interesting
old trails. One might still drive {
cart so years ago, across the
Alder Branch where a log cause.
way was built by the union forces
This road, known as Main Street
led from the North End of the
Island to General Burnside's
landing. On the North End of the
Island stood Camp Foster, which
was occupied by Federal troops
The old pictures reveal it camp
of many log houses. 1t stood west
of the Ashley Dough House
Thousands of freed negroes were
brought to Roanoke Island and
fed by Federal troops. Some 400
of them are said to be buried west
of the Reuben Payne house. They
died during a cholera epidemic. A
school and a place known as Old
Industry House was established
on land now owned by members
of the Charles Meekins family. A