FORTRESS MONROE,
January 27.
By the arrival of the steamer Eastern State, we have the
first direct and official intelligence of the Burnside Expedition. The Eastern State left Hatteras Inlet last
night, and arrived here this morning.
The recent storms were unusually severe at Hatteras, and considerably
delayed and crippled the expedition, but when the Eastern State left,
everything looked favorable.
The Burnside Expedition sailed from Hampton Roads on the
11th and 12th of January, and consisted of over 125 vessels, of all classes. –
They arrived at Hatteras between the 12th and 17th inst., having been greatly
retarded by severe storms and adverse winds, which prevailed during that time.
After their arrival at Hatteras they experienced a series of
unparalleled storms, so that at times it was impossible to hold communication
between any two vessels of the fleet.
After the storm it was discovered that no vessel drawing
over 7 feet 8 inches could pass into Pamlico Sound. No vessel either could pass outside the bar,
drawing over 13 feet, unless very skillfully piloted. In consequence of this the City of New York
struck on the outside of the bar. She
had cargo valued at $200,000, of powder, rifles and bombs, and proved a total
loss. Her crew was saved.
The steamer Pocahontas went ashore near the light house and
became a total loss. Ninety valuable
horses belonging to the Rhode Island Battery were on board of her, and were all
drowned, including several valued at $500 each.
The Grape Shot parted her hawser and went down at sea. Her crew were saved.
An unknown schooner, loaded with oats, and another schooner,
name unknown, with six of her crew, were lost on the beach.
The steamer Louisiana struck on the bar, where she still
remains. The report of her burning is
incorrect. She may get off. The Eastern Queen and the Voltigeur are also
ashore. The latter will probably get
off.
The Water vessels attached to the Expedition had not reached
their destination when the Eastern State left, and had it not been for the
condensers on board some of the vessels, and a vessel on shore, the most
terrible suffering must have occurred among the troops. As it was, the water casks were composed of
old whiskey camphene, and kerosene oil casks.
It is thought the pilots of Hatteras are traitors, having
intentionally run the vessels ashore.
The waves dashed with a clean sweep across the Hatteras
shore, completely cutting off the fort from outside communication.
Colonel Allen of the 9th New Jersey Regiment, and his
Surgeon, Weller, with a boat’s crew, and the 2d Mate of the Anne Thompson, when
they found that the troops needed water, manned a life boat in order to reach
the General and obtain it. The boat
swamped and the Colonel, Surgeon and Mate were drowned. The crew were saved.
Gen. Burnside has succeeded in getting over the bar one half
of his vessels, including the gunboats and 7,000 troops. Everything appeared to be in satisfactory
condition when the Eastern Star left.
The large transports with troops remained outside until the arrival of
the Spaulding, from Port Royal on the 3d, when Capt. Hawes volunteered to bring
them all inside. This was accomplished
yesterday afternoon, the Eastern State passing the last of them as she left.
A portion of the tug boats chartered by Gen. Burnside for
the expedition refused to proceed any further than Fortress Monroe.
Fair weather has set in, and the schooners of the expedition
are making their appearance with water, coal, and provisions, and everything
looks more promising. Gen. Burnside has
been indefatigable, he is confident of the ultimate success of the expedition
and has the respect of every man under his command.
The only troops that have been landed are the 24th Massachusetts
Regiment and the Rhode Island Battery.
Col. Hawkins’ regiment goes with the Burnside Expedition.
There has been no loss of life except what is above
mentioned. Different reports are received
at Hatteras from the surrounding population in relations to the disposition and
intentions of the enemy. Some who came
in say that the rebels are completely frightened and will not make a
stand. Another report is to the effect
that large masses of troops will be concentrated in the vicinity, and still
another store, confirmed by many, that their exertions will be directed chiefly
to placing obstacles in the way of our progress to Norfolk.
The rebels keep a good look out on our movements with their
gunboats. Two of them made their
appearance after the storm, but disappeared when chased.
The mails by the Eastern State will be forwarded to-morrow.
The Pensacola left here (Ft. Monroe) this afternoon for Key
West, Pensacola and Ship Island. She
will report to the Commodore of the fleet in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Baltimore boat brought down this morning the 2d and 4th
batteries from Wisconsin. – They will remain at Fortress Monroe for the
present.
A flag of truce was sent out this P. M. to meet the rebel
steamer Selden, and brought back among the release prisoners, Lieut. Parks, 4th
Michigan, Dr. Wm. B. Fletcher, 6th Indiana, Lieut. Wm. Booth, 2d Wisconsin, and
Lieut. Hooper, 1st California.
We find the following in Southern papers.
To-day’s Richmond Dispatch has reliable authority for making
the statement that “General Beauregard takes command of the army at Columbus,
Ky., and Gen. Gustavus W. Smith succeeds him in the position he has so long and
so successfully occupied. At Columbus,
we understand, that Gen. Beauregard is subordinate to no one except Gen. A.
Sydney Johnson [sic]. This change goes
into effect without delay.”
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye,
Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2
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