Year: 1861

wa, and Il contemplated there can be 70 douo',
this kind Of rnanSayering on tue part OF tie 'As1
every few days proves it. One OF the ISLANDERS
that the reason why they did not effect landing u
day they made the attempt, was because the.
thought they saw large force OF Us4oh troop
in that vicinity at the time. Tue islanders say wa
the Confederates threaten to concentrate all 'Del
forces in the State in this vicinity, and re-posse%
themselves Of Hatteras. Their suspicious movements
admonish us to be on our guard. We have made ex'
tensye arrangements of late in order to place our
selves in proper condition for any emergency that
may arise. Every company knows its position in
case Of an attack and every retiring for the
night has all of his necessary equipments at hand
The other night we had practical demonstration Of
the readiness Of our troops to meet the enemy.
About o'clock news was received at Fort Clark,
where the Indiana Goth are quarerod, that the Con-


ederates had landed force up the island, with the
intention of getting between Camp Wool and Fort
Clark for the purpose Of cutting of all our forces
above Fort Clark. The long roll was sounded, ard
in less than four minutes every man was at his post
fully armed and equipped, ready to march. The
hospital was emped Of its sick; tho shOeless, coat
less and disabled were all in the ranks as soon as
the rest against the advice Of their commanders oil
eager for brush with the villains who had stolen
the much.needed oyeTcoats and shoes designed for
the Indiana boys, who are in great rage ever the
matter, and continually praying for an opportunity
to get sight of these Southern scoundrels who are
now go ponpously strutting about with Uncle Sans
property on their backs The ALARM il appears, was
caused by Confederate craft coming down the
Sound after dark and firing into Capt. Baiey's camp
Of the 20th Indiana Regiment who with his company
was up the island several miles, obtaining wood for
the regiment. II was thought the entire Confederate
feet were endeavoring TO Land under the cover OF
this fire, which, however, proved TO be mistake.


While am writing on the beach, a suspicious craft
ia making her way down the Sound. The man on
the beacon discovers the Codlederate flag, aud pro-
nounces her rebel gunboat, which is coming down
upon us at rapid rate. The forces in the different
camps and forts are turning out in great numbers 10
obtain view Of the daring stranger whose outlines
are now visible to the naked eye. Boom goes big
gun which sends her inviting card within half mile
of Fort Hateras, where it eXplodes in very iussy
manner. The scene is becoming interesting, and
everything presents q lively appearance. The signal
Tor the Penguin drill is sounding and tue lndi-
ana boys are rapidly forming on the beach to go
through this new feature of tactics, which Is
40 obnoxious to the rebels This Confederate
creature comes TO halt, and, after taking obser.
vaiions, she sends few more shells with the
same result as the rst, one Of them falling about
half mile from the Indisnians, who, it is very evil
dent bave seriously incurred the dispeasure Of the
Rebels, by exhibiting sight which is anything but
agreeable to the fssdous eyes of the traitors. Our
only guntoat the Putnam which can enter the
Sound not being at hand, the steamer Stars and
Stripes sent shell after the Rebel craft las soon as


il was asc. rtained that she would come no nearer,
which exploded close by her side, and for time en-


irely secretiug her from our view, after which she
made tracks in good earnest Ii Is thought that our
shell took effect, from the cOmmotOu j. caused Oh
board the Rebel boat This emphaticaly illustrates
the condition Of things in these Sounds, and too
plainly shows the supreme power of the Confed-
crates over all these important waters II their gun
boats aud piratical craf can within gunshot OF
our forts aud fleets and cut up their pranks within
smelling distance OF this stronghold, what cannot
ibc priyateers accompshwhere there are no tors or
fleets 10 evadc


If some friend of the Government, would be Kind
enough to cell the attention OF the Secretary Of the
Navy 10 the Importance OF dispatchins at once, 70
this point, some ten OF twelve small gunboas, not
drawing more than Fix or seven feet Of water IA
ieet OF New-England fishing craft will be just the
thing, we should then witness entire break up Of
this prvateering business which Is rapidly assuming
such alarming proportions. Until we are furnished
with this number Of suDb0ats we shall be unable to
li.t finger against the enemy commerce in this di-
recton with them we shall have all Of tbete inland
.cas at our command, and viii suddenly bring priva-
tecTing to focus.