Battle Reports
Report of Maj. Gen. Benj. F. Butler, U. S. Army, commanding expedition.
U. S. FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA, August 30, 1861.
GENERAL: Agreeably to your orders, I embarked on the transport steamers Adelaide and George Peabody 500 of the Twentieth Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Weber commanding; 220 of the Ninth Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Hawkins commanding; 100 of the Union Coast Guard, Captain Nixon commanding, and 60 of the Second U. S. Artillery, Lieutenant Larned commanding, as a force to operate in conjunction with the fleet, under command of Flag-Officer Stringham, against the rebel forts at Hatteras Inlet.
We left Fort Monroe on Monday, at 1 o’clock p.m. The last ship of {p.582} our fleet arrived off Hatteras Inlet about 4 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Such preparations as were possible for the sanding were made in the evening, and at daylight next morning dispositions were made for an attack upon the forts by the fleet and for the landing of the troops.
Owing to the previous prevalence of southwest gales a heavy surf was breaking on the beach. Every effort was made to land the troops, and after about 315 were landed, including 55 marines from the fleet and the regulars, both the iron boats, upon which we depended, were swamped in the surf and both flat-boats stove; and a brave attempt being made by Lieutenant Crosby, U. S. Navy (serving with the army as port captain at Fortress Monroe), who had volunteered to come down with the steam-tug Fanny, belonging to the Army, to land in a boat from the war steamer Pawnee, resulted in the beaching of the boat, so that she could not be got off.
It was impracticable to land more troops because of the rising wind and sea. Fortunately, a 12-pounder rifled boat gun, loaned us by the flag-ship, and a 12-pounder howitzer were landed, the last slightly damaged. Our landing was completely covered by the shells of the Monticello and the Harriet Lane. I was on board the Harriet Lane, directing the disembarkation of the troops by means of signals, and was about landing with them at the time the boats were stove. We were induced to desist from further attempts at landing troops by the rising of the wind, and because in the mean time the fleet had opened fire upon the nearest fort, which was finally silenced, and its flag struck. No firing had opened upon our troops from the other fort, and its flag was also struck. Supposing this to be a signal of surrender, Colonel Weber advanced his troops already landed upon the beach.
The Harriet Lane, Captain Faunce, by my direction, tried to cross the bar to get in the smooth water of the inlet, when fire was opened upon the Monticello (which had proceeded in advance of us) from the other fort. Several shots struck her, but without causing any casualties, as I am informed. So well convinced were the officers of both Navy and Army that the forts had been surrendered at this time, that the Susquehanna had towed the frigate Cumberland to an offing. The fire was then reopened (as there was no signal from either) upon both forts.
In the mean time a few men from the Coast Guard had advanced up the beach with Mr. Wiegel, who was acting as volunteer aide, and whose gallantry and services I wish to commend, and took possession of the smaller fort, which was found to have been abandoned by the enemy, and raised the American flag thereon.
It had become necessary, owing to the threatening appearance of the weather, that all the ships should make an offing, which was done with reluctance, from necessity, thus leaving the troops upon shore, a part in possession of the small fort, about 700 yards from the large one,
and the rest bivouacked upon the beach, near the place of landing, about 2 miles north of the forts.
Early the next morning the Harriet Lane ran inshore for the purpose of covering any attack upon the troops. At the same time a large steamer was observed corning down the sound inside the land, with re-enforcements for the enemy, but she was prevented from landing by Captain Johnson, of the Coast Guard, who had placed the two guns from the ship and a 6-pounder captured from the enemy in a small sand battery, and opened fire upon the rebel steamer. At 8 o’clock the fleet opened fire again, the flag-ship being anchored as near as the water allowed and the other ships coming gallantly into action. It was evident, {p.583} after a few experiments, that our shot fell short, and increased length of fuse was telegraphed, and firing commenced, with shells of fifteen seconds’ fuse.
I had sent Mr. Fiske, acting aide-de-camp, on shore, for the purpose of gaining intelligence of the movements of the troops and of the enemy. I then went with the Fanny, for the purpose of effecting a landing of the remainder of the troops, when a white flag was run up from the fort. I then went with the Fanny over the bar into the inlet. At the same time the troops under Colonel Weber marched up the beach, and signal was made from the flag-ship to cease firing.
As the Fanny rounded in over the bar, the rebel steamer Winslow went up the channel, having a large number of secession troops on board, which she had not landed. We threw a shot at her from the Fanny, but she proved to be out of range. I then sent Lieutenant Crosby on shore to demand the meaning of the white flag. The boat soon returned, permitting Mr. Wiegel, with the following written communication from
Samuel Barron, late captain in the U. S. Navy:
FORT HATTERAS, August 29, 1861.
Flag-Officer Samuel Barron, C. S. Navy, offers to surrender Fort Hatteras, with all the arms and munitions of war. The officers allowed to go out with side-arms and the men without arms to retire.
S. BARRON,
Commanding Naval Defenses Virginia and North Carolina.
And also a verbal communication, stating that he had in the fort 615 men and 1,000 more within an hour’s call, but that he was anxious to spare the effusion of blood.
To both the written and verbal communications I made the reply which follows, and sent it by Lieutenant Crosby:
AUGUST 29, 1861.
Benj. F. Butler, major-general, U. S. Army, commanding, in reply to the communication of Samuel Barron, commanding forces at Fort Hatteras, cannot admit the terms proposed. The terms offered are these: Full capitulation; the officers and men to he treated as prisoners of war. No other terms admissible. Commanding officers to meet on hoard flag-ship Minnesota to arrange details.
[BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, U. S. Army, Commanding Volunteers.]
After waiting three-quarters of an hour, Lieutenant Crosby returned, bringing with him Captain Barron, Major Andrews, and Colonel Martin, of the rebel forces, who, on being received on board the tug Fanny, informed me that they had accepted the terms proposed in my memorandum, and had come to surrender themselves and their command as prisoners of war. I informed them that as the expedition was a combined one from the Army and Navy, the surrender must be made on board the flag-ship to Flag-Officer Stringham as well as to myself. We went on board the Minnesota for that purpose. On arriving there, the following articles of capitulation were signed, which I hope will meet your approval. [See Appendix A.]
I then landed, and took a formal surrender of the forts, with all the men and munitions of war, inspected the troops to see that the arms had been properly surrendered, marched them out, and embarked them on board the Adelaide, and marched my own troops into the fort, and raised our flag upon it, and the cheers of our men and a salute of 13 guns, which had been shotted by the enemy.
The embarkation of the wounded, which was conducted with great care and tenderness from a temporary wharf erected for the purpose, took so long that night came on so dark that it was impossible for the pilots to take the Adelaide over the bar, thereby causing delay.
I may mention in this connection that the Adelaide, in carrying in the troops, at the moment that my terms of capitulation were under {p.584} consideration by the enemy, had grounded upon the bar, but by the active and judicious exertions of Commander Stellwagen, after some delay, was got off. At the same time the Harriet Lane, in attempting to enter over the bar, had grounded, and remained fast. Both were under the guns of the fort. This to me was a moment of the greatest anxiety. By these accidents a valuable ship of war and a transport steamer, with a large portion of my troops, were within the power of the enemy. I had demanded the strongest terms, which he was considering. He might refuse, and, seeing our disadvantage, renew the action. But I determined to abate not a tittle of what I believed to be due to the dignity of the Government, not even to give an official title to the officer in command of the rebels. Besides, my tug was in the
inlet, and at least I could carry on the engagement with my two rifled 6-pounders, well supplied with Sawyer shells.
Upon taking possession of Fort Hatteras I found that it mounted ten guns, with four yet unmounted, and one large 10-inch columbiad all ready for mounting. I append the official muster roll of Colonel Martin, furnished by him, of the officers and men captured by us.*
The position of the fort is an exceedingly strong one, nearly surrounded on all sides by water, and only to be approached by a march of 500 yards circuitously over a long neck of sand, within half musket range, and over a causeway a few feet only in width, and which was commanded by two 32-pounder guns, loaded with grape and canister, which were expended in our salute. It had a well-protected magazine, and bomb-proof capable of sheltering some 300 or 400 men. The parapet was nearly of octagon form, inclosing about two-thirds of an acre of ground, well covered, with sufficient traverses and ramparts and parapets, upon which our shells had made but little impression.
The larger work nearer the inlet was known as Fort Hatteras. Fort Clark, which was about 700 yards northerly, is a square redoubt, mounting five guns and two 6-pounders. The enemy had spiked these guns, but in a very inefficient manner, upon abandoning the fort the day before. I had all the troops on shore at the time of the surrender of the forts, but re-embarked the regulars and the marines.
Finding it impossible without a delay of the fleet, which could not be justified under the state of facts at Fortress Monroe, and owing to the threatening appearance of the weather, I disembarked the provisions, making with the provisions captured about five days’ rations for the use of the troops. On consultation with Flag-Officer Stringham and Commander Stellwagen I determined to leave the troops and hold the fort, because of the strength of the fortifications, its importance, and because, if a gain in the possession of the enemy, with a sufficient armament, of the very great difficulty of its capture, until I could get some further instructions from the Government, Commodore Stringham directs the steamers Monticello and Pawnee to remain inside, and these, with the men in the forts, are sufficient to hold the position against any force which is likely or, indeed, possible to be sent against it.
The importance of the point cannot be overrated. When the channel is buoyed out any vessel may carry 15 feet of water over it with ease-. Once inside, there is a safe harbor and anchorage in all weathers. From there the whole coast of Virginia and North Carolina, from Norfolk to Cape Lookout, is within our reach by light-draught vessels, which cannot possibly live at sea during the winter months. From it offensive operations may be made upon the whole coast of North Carolina {p.585} to Bogue Inlet, extending many miles inland to Washington, New Be-rue, and Beaufort. In the language of the chief engineer of the rebels, Colonel Thompson, in an official report, “it is the key of the Albemarle.” In my judgment, it is a station second in importance only to Fortress Monroe on this coast. As a depot for coaling and supplies for the blockading squadron it is invaluable. As a harbor for our coasting trade, or inlet from the winter storms or from pirates, it is of the first importance. By holding it, Hatteras light may again send forth its cheering ray to the storm-beaten mariner, of which the worse than vandalism of the rebels deprives him. It has but one drawback, a want of water; but that a condenser, like the one now in operation at Fortress Monroe, at a cost of a few hundred dollars, will relieve.
I append to this report a tabular statement of the prizes which have been taken into that inlet within a few days, compiled from the official documents captured with the fort. [See Appendix C.]
I add hereto an official report of the chief engineer of the coast defenses of the rebels. [See Appendix B.]
Please find also appended a statement of the arms and munitions of war captured with the fort, as nearly as they can be ascertained.**
While all have done well, I desire to speak in terms of especial commendation, in addition to those before mentioned, of the steadiness and cool courage of Col. Max Weber, whom we were obliged to leave in command of a detachment of 300 men on a strange coast, without camp equipage or possibility of aid, in the face of an enemy 600 strong, on a dark and stormy night; of Lieutenant Colonel Weiss, who conducted a reconnaissance of 20 men; of the daring and prompt efficiency of Captain Nixon, of the Coast Guard, who with his men occupied Fort Clark during the first night, although dismantled, in the face of an enemy of unknown numbers.
I desire to commend to your attention Captain Jardine, of the New York Ninth, who was left in command of the detachment of his regiment when the unfortunate casualty to the Harriet Lane prevented Colonel Hawkins from landing.
Permit me to speak of the efficiency of the regulars, under Lieutenant Lamed, who worked zealously in aiding to land their comrades of the volunteers overwhelmed with the rolling surf.
I desire especially to make acknowledgments to Messrs. Wiegel and Durivage, volunteer aides, who planted the American flag upon Fort Clark on the second morning, to indicate to the fleet its surrender, and to prevent the further wasting of shells upon it; a service of great danger from the fire of their own friends.
Imake honorable mention of young Fiske, who risked his life among the breakers, being thrown on shore, to convey my orders to the troops landed, and to apprise them of the movements and intentions of the fleet; also my thanks for the valuable aid of Captain Haggerty, who was employed in visiting the prizes in the harbor while we were agreeing upon the terms of capitulation.
Of the services to the country of the gentlemen of the Navy proper I may not speak, for one ought not to praise when he has no right to censure, and they will be appropriately mentioned, I doubt not, by the commander, who is capable to appreciate their good conduct. But I am emboldened to ask permission, if the Department shall determine to occupy the point as a permanent post, that its name may be changed by general order from “Fort Hatteras” to “Fort Stringham.”
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But of those gentlemen who served under my immediate-command I may make honorable mention, as I have before done, of the zealous, intrepid, and untiring action of Lieutenant Crosby, who took an armed canal-boat, the steam-tug Fanny, from Fort Monroe to Hatteras Inlet, in order that the expedition might have-the aid of a steamer of the lightest draught.
Captain Shuttleworth, of the Marine Corps, deserves well for his loyalty and efficiency in his active detachment of marines.
Much of the success of the expedition is due-to the preparation of the transport service by Commander Stellwagen, and the prompt presence of mind with which he took the troops from their peril when the Adelaide touched on the bar is a rare quality in an officer in danger.
Although Captain Faunce, of the revenue service, now in command of the Harriet Lane, was unfortunate enough to get his vessel on one of the numerous sand bars about the inlet, it happened, I believe, in consequence of a determination, creditable in him, to aid me by being near to cover the troops in landing.
Captain Lowry, who had the George Peabody in charge, brought in his vessel with safety, with the troops, who were pleased with his care and conduct. He still remains at the inlet.
In fine, general, I may congratulate you and the country upon a glorious victory in your department, in which we captured more than 700 men, 25 pieces of artillery, 1,000 stand of arms, a large quantity of ordnance stores, provisions, 3 valuable prizes, 2 light-boats, and 4 stand of colors, 1 of which had been presented within a week by the ladies of New Berne, N. C., to the “North Carolina Defenders.”
By the goodness of that Providence which watches over our nation, no one, either of the fleet or army, was in the least degree injured. The enemy’s loss was not officially reported to us, but was ascertained to be 12 or 15 killed and died of wounds, and 35 wounded.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BENJ. F. BUTLER,
Major-General, U. S. Army, Commanding Volunteers.
Maj. Gen. JOHN E. WOOL,
Commanding Department of Virginia.
Report of Col. Max Weber, Twentieth New York Infantry.
FORT HATTERAS, N. C., September 5, 1861.
SIR: I take the first opportunity which is offered to me by the arrival of a steamer from Fortress Monroe to report to you the action of the troops who were landed and acted under my command in the capture of Fort Hatteras.
On Wednesday morning, the 28th ultimo, at 10 o’clock, the landing of the troops commenced. The surf was running very high, and continued to run higher and higher, so that but 318 men could be landed. The condition of these troops was of course a very bad one. All of us were wet up to the shoulders, cut off entirely from the fleet, with wet ammunition, and without any provisions; but still all had but one thought-to advance.
I appointed Captain Von Doehn, of the Twentieth Regiment, who has been acting adjutant of Camp Hamilton for the last three months, to act also here in that capacity, had the troops formed in line counted, and reported to me as follows: 45 men of the regular artillery regiment stationed at Fort Monroe, Captain Larned and Lieutenant Lodor; 45 men of marine soldiers of the Minnesota; 68 men Ninth Regiment New York Volunteers, Captain Jardine; 102 men Twentieth Regiment New York Volunteers; 28 men Union Coast Guard, Captain Nixon; 28 men, sailors (artillery), making a total of 318 men.
I had all reasons to be very cautious, having but a small force, and the more, as we saw the enemy re-enforce the fort all the time.
Our distance from the first fort (Clark) was about 3 miles. I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Weiss, with 20 men of the Twentieth Regiment, to make a reconnaissance, and ordered Lieutenant Wiegel (ordnance officer of General Butler’s staff) to accompany him. The latter soon returned, with the report that Lieutenant-Colonel Weiss took one cannon (dismounted), and that the troops commenced to evacuate the first fort. I then ordered Captain Von Doehn and Captain Hoeffling’s company of the Twentieth Regiment to re-enforce Lieutenant-Colonel Weiss, and to take possession of the fort (Clark). This order was carried out immediately. Lieutenant-Colonel Weiss occupied the fort, himself took the first secession flag, and hoisted the American. Myself followed with the lest of the troops, when the Navy commenced firing upon us, shells bursting right over us and in our midst, so that a further advance was impossible. Two shells burst in the fort, wounding one of my men
slightly in the hand. I still held the fort occupied, sent an American flag along the beach, and the firing ceased.
I then ordered Captain Nixon, with his 28 men, to take possession of the fort during the night, put out pickets towards the second fort, and to watch the enemy very carefully. Captain Jardine with his company occupied the beach near the second fort, in order to prevent the enemy from cutting off our troops in the first fort, and myself with the rest of the troops retreated to the landing place, where we bivouacked.
During the night nothing of importance occurred. The next morning, as soon as the firing of the fleet commenced, I advanced with all my forces, ready to take the second fort as soon as the firing would cease. I ordered Captain Meyer’s company and Adjutant Kluckhuhn, of the Twentieth Regiment, to cross the beach where the camp of the enemy was evacuated. A color and quartermaster’s stove were found there. (The color was afterwards delivered to Commodore Stringham, who claimed the same.) A rifle 6-pounder was also landed, and I ordered Lieutenant Johnson, of the Union Coast Guard, to advance with it as far as possible and to fire upon the secession steamers, which was done with great success; they soon left entirely. We remained thus four hours in this position, the shells bursting over us, when at last the white flag was hoisted on the second fort.
Captain Nixon, the nearest to the fort, prepared immediately to meet the enemy, and was the first who entered the fort. Lieutenant-Colonel Weiss, Captain Von Doehn, and myself followed; the troops remained 50 yards distant from the fort. I ordered also the surgeons-Dr. Fritz, of the Twentieth Regiment; Dr. Humphreys, of the Ninth Regiment; and Dr. King, of the Navy-to assist dressing the wounded.
I take also the opportunity of mentioning Captain Larned and Lieutenant-Lodor and the marine officers, who have rendered me great assistance, and I am greatly obliged to them for their support during the whole expedition.
Though the troops of my regiment had but little occasion to distinguish themselves, I think it still my duty to say that all of them did their duty in every respect.
I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant,
MAX WEBER,
Colonel, Commanding Fort Hatteras.
Major-General BUTLER.
Report of Commander John P. Gillis, U. S. Navy.
U. S. STEAMER MONTICELLO,
Hampton Roads, Va., September 5, 1861.
SIR: Previous to our leaving Hatteras Inlet with the Harriet Lane in convoy we had cruised along and off the coast to the southward; ran close in to Ocracoke Inlet several times. The fort near the beacon-house had apparently no guns mounted, and there was no evidence of its being occupied. In Portsmouth, a small town near by to the southward, a white flag was hoisted on one of the houses, and a number of negroes came down to the beach waving another. Some two or three small schooners were seen in the sound. They left for the interior.
This fort and inlet could readily be taken possession of and held by a small force.
The steamer Peabody, with supplies, arrived at Fort Hatteras on the 4th instant.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. P. GILLIS,
Commander.
Major-General WOOL, U. S. A., Comdg. Fortress Monroe, &c.
Report of Lieut. P. U. Farquhar, U. S. Engineer Corps.
FORTRESS MONROE, VA., September 7, 1861.
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GENERAL: In obedience to your orders of the 3d instant, I left this post at 4 p.m. on the same day for Hatteras Inlet. On my arrival there {p.591} on the following morning, at about 10 o’clock, I first visited Captain Rowan, of the U. S. steamer Pawnee, in order to report my arrival and the object of my coming, and to solicit such aid as he might be able to render me in the way of boats, &c. He very kindly put a boat at my disposal whenever I might want it.The two forts or batteries lately captured by our troops are situated on a long sandy island known as Hatteras Island. They are on the southwest end of the island; the larger one, Fort Hatteras, being about one-eighth, and the smaller, Fort Clark, about one mile from the inlet. The sketches accompanying this report will better show the relative positions of the forts and inlet. Fort Hatteras is situated S. 50Ëš W. from the inlet, and at a distance of about one-eighth of a mile. It is a square redoubt, with pan coupes at all the salients. It is constructed of sand, well revetted with sods from the neighboring salt marshes. Its command is about 10 feet above the level of the ocean at high water. It completely commands all the approaches by land and sea. With guns of long range it can successfully defend itself from any fleet, and is so placed with reference to the land approaches that any assaulting column must experience a heavy fire during a long time before reaching it. There is room in the fort for twenty large guns-four on each face and one in each salient. At present there are twelve guns mounted, their positions and caliber being indicated in the accompanying plan.* As most of the guns are on the land and sea fronts, I suggested to the commanding officer the propriety of placing some guns on the front looking toward the approaches by Pamlico Sound.
A causeway leads from the fort to the landing. It is made of sand, filled in between two parallel rows of plank, driven in the sand and covered with sod, thus raising the road about 2 feet above the sand. This causeway is of importance, as with a high tide and easterly wind the whole of the beach up to the foot of the exterior slope is covered with water. On the causeway, near the beach, I found a 10-inch columbiad, together with its carriage and platform. This gun is, at the suggestion of Captain Rowan, being mounted on the causeway near the water. In this position it has a great horizontal range of fire, and will effectually prevent our shipping from being annoyed by the enemy’s light-draught gunboats. A wharf and storehouse for provisions are absolutely needed if the position is to be held during the war, for the fort has just room enough for its own garrison, and the beach, for before mentioned reasons, is not a secure place to place provisions. The magazine and bomb-proof shelter is large, but its top being about 5 feet above the interior crest, renders it a conspicuous mark for the enemy’s artillery. It is as well constructed as possible, having at least 6 feet of sand on top of the wooden casing. The floor of the magazine is on a level with the site, below which it could not be sunk on account of the water.
Fort Clark, a redoubt of irregular figure, is situated about three-fourths of a mile from Fort Hatteras, and bearing from it S. 49Ëš E. It is midway between the sound and the ocean-the crest of the exterior slope on the ocean fronts nearly coinciding with the ridge of sand. It has about the same command as Fort Hatteras. On the sea fronts and the front farthest from the inlet the parapet is eighteen feet thick, and armed with 8-inch navy guns. The tenailled front looking towards Pamlico Sound, has its parapet but 5 feet thick, and was arranged for a musketry defense. Since the capture of the fort three rifled and one old 6-pounder have been mounted on the latter front, small merlons {p.592} having been erected to cover the cannoneers. The gorge of the work looks towards Fort Hatteras. The fort is of but little importance, as the enemy cannot approach it from the sound. No danger is apprehended from the ocean, and if the enemy approach by land, a battery of field pieces would offer more resistance. The magazine and bombproof shelter, though not as large, is constructed similarly to the one in Fort Hatteras.
On the morning of the 5th instant I made a reconnaissance for about 3 1/2 miles from Fort Clark of the island. The narrowest part of the island is between the two forts. It continues to widen for some 3 miles. At about half a mile from Fort Clark a growth of small live-oak commences, accompanied by marshes and a rank undergrowth. On questioning the inhabitants, I was informed that water might be found almost anywhere by digging wells between high and low water marks. I visited several of the wells, some dug by the enemy, and all were filled with water, and from those that are in use I tasted quite good water. There is no doubt but that there is an abundance of water. At present Fort Hatteras is supplied by water from wells about 3 miles from it; but were wells properly dug in the fort, I have no doubt that plenty of water will be found.
With reference to the subsistence the country affords, I would report that there are many beeves, hogs, and sheep on the island. All the inhabitants that I conversed with unite in complaining of the vandalism of our troops, some houses being completely rifled. Such conduct on the part of our soldiers is but little calculated to conciliate those who may be most useful to us.
In conclusion, I would suggest that some guns of heavy caliber and long range be placed on the fronts of Fort Hatteras, looking towards the inlet and sound. The fort is well situated, and I am not able to suggest any improvements in its construction. All the damages occasioned by the late bombardment are fast being repaired by our troops. The following is the list of the ordnance stores and their condition:
159 32-pounder cartridges, charge eight pounds powder; 75 8-inch navy-gun cartridges, eight pounds powder; 15 32-pounder loaded shells; 29 32-pounder cartridge bags; 40 kegs F powder; 400 pounds cannon powder; 801 32-pounder balls; 148 8-inch navy shells, not loaded and without fuses; 10 32-pounder canister; 8 32-pounder grape.
Believing that I have now reported on every point desired by you in your instructions, I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS U. FARQUHAR,
Second Lieutenant, U. S. Corps Engineers.
Maj. Gen. J. E. WOOL, Comdg. Dep’t S. B. Virginia.
Report of Flag-Officer S. Barron, C. S. Navy.
U. S. FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA,
At Sea, August 31, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to report the surrender of Fort Hatteras, with its garrison, on the 29th instant, to the combined naval and military forces under the command of Flag-Officer Stringham and Major-General Butler, of the United States service.
On the 28th instant, having arrived at Hatteras Inlet in the steamer Winslow, I received a message from Colonel Martin, commanding the Seventh Regiment North Carolina Volunteers, on shore, that he wished to hold a conference with me. I immediately went to Fort Hatteras, accompanied by Colonel Bradford, colonel of artillery and engineers and chief of ordnance of North Carolina, and Lieutenants Murdaugh and Sharp, C. S. Navy. I found the colonel very much exhausted from exposure and hard fighting, which had lasted from 8 a.m. until after dark, during which period of time he had been driven from Fort Clark (after spiking the guns) to Fort Hatteras, the ammunition in the former magazine having been expended. I was exhorted by him and Major Andrews, commanding the post, to assume command of the fort, to which I assented, Colonel Bradford volunteering to assist me in the duties of defense.In assuming this grave responsibility I was not unaware that we could be shelled out of the fort, but expecting from New Berne the arrival of a regiment of North Carolina volunteers at or before midnight (the fleet having put to sea and appearances indicating bad weather), we designed an assault on Fort Clark, three-quarters of a mile distant from Fort Hatteras, which had been taken possession of by a party landed from the shipping, but unfortunately the regiment did not arrive until the following day, after the bombardment had commenced; and when the time came that I deemed evacuation or surrender unavoidable the means of escape were not at my command.
On the next morning, at 7.40 o’clock, the fleet-consisting of the Minnesota, Wabash, Susquehanna, Cumberland, Pawnee, and Harriet Lane, other steamers being in company-took their positions and opened fire. In addition to the batteries of the ships, the enemy had during the night erected a battery of rifled field guns near to Fort Clark, which also opened on us.
During the first hour the shells of the ships fell short, we only firing occasionally to ascertain whether our shots would reach them, and wishing to reserve our very limited supply of ammunition until the vessels might find it necessary to come nearer in; but they, after some practice, got the exact range of the 9, 10, and 11 inch guns, and did not find it necessary to alter their positions, while not a shot from our battery reached them with the greatest elevation we could get. This state of things-shells bursting over and in the fort every few seconds-having continued for about three hours, the men were directed to take shelter under the parapet and traverses, and I called a council of officers, at which it was unanimously agreed that holding out longer could only result in a greater loss of life, without the ability to damage our adversaries, and just at this time the magazine being reported on fire, a shell having fallen through the ventilator of the bomb-proof into the room adjoining the principal magazine, I ordered a white flag to be shown, when the firing ceased, and the surrender was made upon the conditions of the accompanying articles of capitulation.
The personnel of the command are now prisoners of war on board this ship, where everything is done to make them as comfortable as possible under the circumstances, Flag Officer Stringham, Captain Van Brunt, and Commander Case extending to us characteristic courtesy and kindness. We are to be landed at Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor.
The gun on a navy carriage was manned by eight men from the Winslow and a few volunteer soldiers, and commanded by Lieutenant Murdaugh, assisted by Midshipman Stafford, of the Ellis. I regret to state that Lieutenant Murdaugh had his arm severely shattered. Lieutenant Sharp, my flag lieutenant, was knocked down by a shot and hurt in the head, but not severely, I trust, although suffering to-day from its effects.
One man was killed at the navy gun and the carriage disabled.
Lieutenant Murdaugh was taken by direction to the Winslow, and has escaped being made prisoner.
So far as can be ascertained there were on this day 2 killed, 25 or 30 wounded, and many others slightly touched.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. BARRON,
Flag-Officer, Commanding Naval Defenses Afloat
of Virginia and North Carolina.
Hon. S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary C. S. Navy, Richmond, Va.