NEW YORK, May 3.
A special to the Tribune, giving an account of the capture
of Fort Macon, says the fire of our batteries dismounted 13 guns and tore up
the glacis and ramparts in the most effective manner. Of 1,100 shots and shell thrown by them at
the fort 560 struck the work. The guns
of the Fort were worked with skill and courage, but the hind hills of our
position afforded complete protection to the men, and the hoisting of the white
flag was followed by a conference with Gen. Parks [sic], and a suspension of
hostilities until the following morning.
During the night the proposition to surrender was communicated to Gen. Burnside
and in the morning articles of agreement were signed, and the garrison
surrendered as prisoners of war, but were released on parole, and were allowed
to take their private effects with them; the officers retained their side
arms. These were the terms originally
proposed by Gen. Parks, but refused by Col. White, commandant of the fort.
The surrender of Fort Macon gives Gen. Burnside a port of
entry with secure anchorage for his heaviest vessels. It gives the Government another of the stolen
fortifications with 50 guns, and 20,000 pounds of powder, with shot and shell
in proportion, 400 stand of arms, and a large store of provisions, 420
prisoners and 30 horses. It releases a
portion of the blockading fleet for service elsewhere, and insures the retention
of the district.
Gen. Burnside, in a general order congratulating Gen. Park
on his victory, commands that the name “Fort Macon” be inscribed on the colors
of the 4th and 5th R. I. regiments and the 8th Conn. Regiment. The command of the fort was offered to Capt.
Lewis Morris, 1st artillery, after the surrender, but declined and Col. Rodman,
of the 4th R. I., was placed in charge.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette,
Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1
No comments:
Post a Comment