The Greensborough Patriot

May 8, 1862

Page 3

Surrender of Fort Macon.

            Fort Macon was surrendered to the enemy last Friday night, after a bombardment of some 12 or 13 hours.  The enemy, working by night, had erected batteries behind the large sand banks, which the Island afforded and mounted guns within 1100 yards of the Fort.  This was unknown to Col. White, the Commandant.  The enemy, ready to commence the attack on Friday morning, summoned Col. White to surrender.  This was peremptorily declined.  Another summons was sent and declined, and finally a personal interview with Col. White was requested.  This was granted, but the gallant Colonel plainly told them that the Fort could not be taken by talking; and that nothing but fighting could induce a surrender.  The Colonel was accommodated.  At it they went, the enemy’s guns opening fire at 6 ¼ o’clock, A.M.  The bombardment continued throughout the day with terrific destruction to the Fort, but fortunately with little loss of life to the brave little garrison.

            The enemy inland was directed by signals from the fleet, when the balls fell over the Fort or short of their designation.  Thus was gained great accuracy in firing.  The glacis was ploughed up to the depth of many feet.  The pancope was literally demolished and the moat filled with debris.  The enemy knew exactly where the magazine was located, and dropped hundreds of shell and solid shot on the spot with the precision of a man piling them by hand.  Things began to look squally.  The walls of the Fort were not only breached at several points, but literally torn into pieces everywhere.  All the guns pointing inland and fronting on the enemy, except three, were dismounted and only three left which could be brought to bear upon him.  Half a dozen more shots which could be fired in as many minutes, would explode the magazine.  About 7 o’clock, P.M., the colors were hauled down.  A parlay was had.  Col. White would surrender on condition that he should be allowed to march out his garrison with the honors of war, the officers wearing their side arms, and that privates property would be respected.

            This was refused.  Then said the Colonel “we must fight it out—on no other conditions will I surrender.  We must go to shooting again.”  The Yankee officer jocosely remarked he didn’t like this shooting.  Col. White expressed himself as having no great love for it but he had no alternative.  The terms were finally granted.  The garrison retired to rest for the night, in the demolished Fort, and on Saturday morning marched out in accordance with the terms set forth.

            Capt. Poole’s company and such of the garrison as did not live at a distance from the coast, were put on board and carried to Beaufort, or some point adjacent.  Col. White, with about 155 men were shipped on board the U. S. Gunboat, Chippewa, and sent under a flag of truce to the neighborhood of Fort Caswell, where they were received on one of our own steamers, and arrive in Wilmington, Monday night.  Our loss in the action has been variously stated at seven killed—in which all agree; and eighteen wounded, (some say eleven) two of them mortally.

            We are glad to hear that with a few exceptions, every man in the Fort fought like a Spartan.  We are also glad to be able to record for Capt. Poole’s men, from whom so many scoundrels had deserted, that they were not behind the bravest in the action.  Officers and men, all stood at their posts, throughout a tremendous iron storm, for upwards of 12 hours; Col. White visiting them at every gun, and reminding them of their duty for the Old North State and their common country, whose eyes were then upon them.  God bless them, they proved worthy of such a Colonel and such a country; and only surrendered when their last gun was shattered into fragments, the Fort a pile of ruins around them, and the Magazine on the very eve of exploding.  The assistant editor of this paper may justly feel proud in being represented by another son among that gallant band, of whose conduct we have been told he need not be ashamed.  He saw Col. White on Tuesday night at Goldsboro, also several of his officers and men.  They seemed equally proud of each other.  The Colonel, pending his parole, visits his relatives in Mississippi and carries with him all the glory and honor that an incorruptible patriot and brave soldier can claim.

            The loss of the enemy is supposed to be inconsiderable.—State Journal.