The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter., 1962-02-02
CIVIL. WAR
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officer at Norfolk. It is apparent
that the island of Roanoke is inn
portant for the defense of Nor
folk, and that General Huger had
under his command at that point
upward of 1899 men, well armed
and equipped. If the Secretary of
War and the commanding general
at Norolk had not the means to
reinforce General Wise, why was
he not ordered to abandon his posi-
ton and save his command?
But, on the contrary, he was re-
quired 10 remain and sacrifice his
command, with no means, in his
insulated position, to make his es-
cape in case of defeat What
ever of blame and responsibility
is Justly attributable to any one for
the defeat should attach to Major
General B. Huger and the late
Secretary of War, ]. p. Benjamin" +"
To commemorate the Centennial
Of the Roanoke Island battle, the
Dare County Civil War Commission
will Join with officials from the
N. C. Centennial Commission on
Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 2
and 8, in a program which includes
the dedication of two markers de-
picting the event.
Ralph Swain, chairman Of the
local commission, states that plans
are underway to invite local
school children to accessible battle
sites on the island on Tuesday
and Wednesday. Every effort will
be made to familiarize them with
the historical significance of their
community" he said. A guide will
be present at the sites from 9-3 on
that date.
I ldieation ceremonies will be
held Thursday afternoon at 2 pm.
for the two markers, one at the
sibe of Fort Russell on the Manteo-
Wanchese Road, and another plan
ned to be erected Immediately neaI
the east approach of William b
Umstead Bridge, within view of the
landwater engagement. The a X 6
foot markers are reported to have
been fashioned at a sum Of $3.50
each.
Norman Larson, Executive-Sec-
reta1y of the N. C. Centennial Com
mission, who is Governor Sanford's
personal representative, will dedi-
cate the markers. ]. j. Pannaggio,
of Newport, Rhode Island, who re-
presents the governor of that state,
viii also be on hand for the cere-
monies. General Burnside, Federal
commander, was from Pannaggio's
home state. DR.. Chris Crittendon,
head of the N. C. Archives Depart
ment, is also expected to be present.
Richard Iobst, staff historian for
the N. C. Confederate Centennial
Commission will be the featured
speaker at an address in the Man
teo High School Auditorium at 8
pm. Feb. 8, on History Pertaining
to the Battle Of Roanoke Island,
Yankee and Southern Opinion" A
dinner is planned of the dignitar-
les present, near TO the address.
An ir teresting and authoritative
description of the Confederate de-
fenses is contained in Thomas j.
Scharf's History of the Confeder-
ate States Navy which is as fol-
lows: The forts upon the island
were Fort Barlow on the southern
end of the defences on the west
side-a sand fort well covered with
turf, armed with six long thirty
two-pounders in EMBRASURE,
and three thirty-two- Founders EN-
BARBETTE; next Fort Blanchard
ON the same side of the island,
about two and a half miles from
Fort Barlow-a semi-circular sand
fort, turfed, and mounting four
thirty-two-pounders EN- BAR
BETTE; twelve hundred yards
from Fort Blanchard, on the same
side of the island, stood Fort HUI
ger, turfed sand fort, with a low
breastwork in rear with BAN
QUETTE for infantry, armed with
eight thirty-two-p Founders in EN-
BRASURE, ten rifled thirty-two
FOUNDER EN- BARBETTE, and two
small thirty-two Founders EN-
BARBETTE on the right. On the
east side of the island, three
miles from Fort Barlow at
Midgett's Point, there was q
doubt, or breastwork, across the
road, about seventy or eighty yards
long, with embrasures for three
guns, with swamp on the right
and marsh on the left, supposed
10 be impassable to infantry; and
on the other side of the sound,
nearly opposite Fort Huger, there
stood Fort Forrest, mounting seven
twenty two FOUNDERS. A barrier Of
piles extended from the east side
Of Fullxners Shoals toward the is
land, having for its object to com