Year: 1861

Mr. EDITOR: ON yesterday large war steamer
appeared off this inlet, and steamed up and down
across the inlet, at distance of five six miles
from the beach, and at nightfa Withdrew. On the
day previous she was discovered at anchor about
six miles westward of Cape Lookout. and within
three miles Of the shore. Supposing her object to
have been reconnaissance of this part of the coast,
with view of selecting landing place for troops,
she doubtless discovered that the entrance to Beau
fort harbor by the ship channel was pretty well de-
Tended by Fort Macon, whose guns might check the
progress of vessel attempting to the bar bnt
far from finding the adjacent coast fortified, she
might with all ease have landed any number OF
troops at any point between the nlets at Ocracoke
and Beaufort. Between these two places the light
of Cape lookout, situated about seven miles from
Beaufort, forms roadstead, where vessels
chor in perfect safety half mile from the shore,
during gale from any quarter except from the
southeast, and which is known to the inhabitants
of the coast he frequently used for this purpose
5y our merchantmen. And if the Federal Govern
ment should design the reduction of Fort Macon
the seizure OF the Depot of the Atlantic and North


Carolina Railroad at Morchead City, with view of
sending an invading force into the interior Of the
State, their vessels of war of The largest size,
Transports might land ten thousand troops at this
Cape Lookout Cove carry their bargeS across per-


fectly level beach, Which at this place is but half
mile wide, and approaching through the sound


seize the town of Beaufort and Morehead City, by
disembarking upon the main land few miles below
the former place. and with perfect impunity from
, the guns at Fort Macon. After this the reduction
Of the Fort would be comparatively easy. for the
sources of its supplies would he in complete pos
session of the enemy; nor could they be diSodged
except by an indScriminate slaughter of friends
and foes. The seizure of the terminus of the Rail-


road could be effected qnitc as readily, by landing
force on the west side of Fort Macon beyond the
of Ill
head about two miles. There is no telegraph line
from this point to GoldSboro and in such event
the first intelligence Of the invasion might be car
rcd to Raleigh by the federal troops themselves.


The weakness of this portion of our coast in the re-
spect indicated above is common subject of remark


in this part of the county for 1t requires militia
ry eye to discern it. The harbor of Beaufort which


in one sense is the key to the entire interior of the


State for here terminates the only Railroad, which


strictly speaking, connects the coast with the nte
riOr may be well protected against the entrance of
a considerable force Immediately from the sea, but


when it is remembered that the adjacent banks fur


nish many secure landing places and are so easy


of access from the ocean, our security seems rather
fancy than fact. The State of North Carolina


is no better protected from invasion than the weak


est point on its coast and if invasion is attempt


ed while coast deences are in their present con-
ditOn, the notion of our "lmpregnabity from
this direction will be found, fear, to be deluson.
The organization Of seven regiments for the coast


defence Of the State is step in the right direction,


and it is to be hoped that they will be formed and
equipped without delay. "What is worth doing at
| ali is worth doing we'll" and when there are be.


sides the nets of the State several places of easy


and safe access from the ocean entirely destitute Of


troops defences of any kind, it is erroneous to


infer, because the inlets are fortified the coast and
! the State are secure from invasion.
! During the war of 1912 land entertainments we're


constructed at the blight of Cape Lookout, though


there was fort near the present site of Fort Macon,


and on one occasion Admiral Cockburn attempted
| landing at that place. but was beaten off by our


forces stationed there, and it is reasonable to infer


that if North Carolina is to be invaded at ALL


such place will be selected where landing can be
accomplished without risk instead of one of the


ports of entry, which protected by either forts
or batteries. ',s


regiment of troops with few pieces of artil


lery might protect that part of the beach between


Fort Macon and Cape Lookout very well, and within


artillery range Shore sand hills may be formed


almost anywhere which would serve the purpose Of
I entertainments.


T have confined my remarks in this comrnunica-


ton to the coast defences of this neghborhood be-
| cause my information TO them is fuller than about
!, other points, and because an impression seems to


prevail at some quarters that inasmuch as Fort
Macon commands the entrance of the harbor, this
part of the State is well protected. What is the


condition Of the deences to the approaches to other


points of the State from the sea- do not know, ex-


cept that rumor has it that they are in no better
! condition. owing to the absence Of movable force


on the beach in readiness to repel any hostile DEM


onstration the enemy may make at other points than
! at the harbors and inlets. $50


1t is proper that the attention of the authorities


should be called to these considerations, and that


our Military Engineers should be informed Of the


facts in order that coast defences may be rem.


dered more perfect. CAROLUS.