From The Greensborough Patriot

Jan. 16, 1862 – Pg. 2

Colonel Bradford.

This returned Hatteras prisoner met with a cordial reception from his many friends on his arrival here yesterday. In reply to congratulations on his looking well, he stated that the rations served out to them were the common army rations, by adding to which $3.50 a week, each, they lived very well. The numerous prisoners formed a highly intellectual society, and they were allowed to get the New York and Boston papers daily. By some of the officers of the enemy, (of the regular service,) they were treated with great politeness, and even kindness. He confirms the statements heretofore made of the utterly defenseless condition of the Hatteras garrison, whose balls fell short of the enemy about 500 yards, whilst their shells, at the rate of 30 a minute, fell within the 60 feet square enclosed by the walls of the fort. The enemy had obtained the exact range of the fort, so as to place these shells with perfect accuracy. After getting on board the enemy’s ships, surprise was expressed to our officers that they had held out so long, in a contest that could by no possibility have any other termination than in a surrender.

It will be recollected that the Hatteras garrison were surrendered distinctly as “prisoners of war,” a point of great significance and which had not previously been conceded during the war. Col. Bradford states that Gen. Butler refused to grant this, but that Com. Stringham consented. Without this concession, the fight would have been renewed, at all hazards.

On one other point the Colonel’s information is important and interesting. It will be recollected that the enemy landed between 300 and 400 men on the first evening of the engagement, who took possession of Fort Clark, which a portion of our troops had been forced to evacuate. Col. Bradford states that a reconnoitering party was sent that night, who reported the force of the enemy thus landed at 1400, about double the whole force on our side.—Fay. Observer.