Hillsborough Recorder

Sept. 4, 1861

Page 3

LOSS OF FORT HATTERAS

From the Newbern Progress, Friday, August 30

Fort Hatteras was surrendered to the Federal authorities about 11 o’clock on yesterday, Thursday.

The steamer Winslow which left there soon after the surrender on yesterday, arrived here about 10 o’clock last night.

She brought up five wounded men and one dead body.  From Lt. Citizen of Capt. Lamb’s company, who escaped and came up, we gathered the following particulars:

The Federal steamers, eleven in number, commenced the bombardment on Wednesday, and the Forts Clark and Hatteras, returned the fire.  It was kept up until dark with but little loss on our side.  On yesterday morning the conflict was renewed and continued till about 11 o’clock, when after a desperate resistance, our forces were compelled to surrender, and the whole garrison are now held as prisoners, save a few who escaped.

Com. Barron, Col. Bradford, Col. Martin, Lt. Col. Johnson, Major Gilliam, Major W. S. G. Andrews, and all the Captains of the post are prisoner.

Our entire force at Hatteras, on Wednesday night, another gentleman informed us, was 853.  Some few escaped, perhaps 50 or more, and Lt. Citizen thinks not more than 60 were killed and wounded.  He remained in the Fort till half an hour previous to its surrender, and from the lucid manner in which his statements were made we have great confidence in them.

The Federal fleet consisted of eleven steamers, four of which were large war steamers.  The bombardment is represented by our informers as most terrific.

Lt. Knight and Lt. Murdock were brought up wounded; Knight slightly in the arm, and Murdock with his arm badly injured.  Probably amputation will be necessary.  The dead body of a Mr. Tindell, we believe, from Lenoir, was brought up.

The news is sad, and we can give mo more this morning.  We will give particulars hereafter as they reach us.

Lt. Citizen says our men fought bravely until they were compelled to surrender, and the defeat to our arms is only to be attributed to the superiority of the fleet over our batteries.  The ammunition gave out at Fort Clark on Wednesday and the guns were spiked and abandoned, but Fort Hatteras returned the fire of the Federals till 11 or after, yesterday.

[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]