of the wounded, which was conducted with great care and tenderness from a temporary wharf, erected for the purpose, took so long that night came on, and so dark that it was impossible for the pilots to take the Adelaide over the bar, thereby causing delay. I may mention in this connection that the Adelaide, in carrying in the troops, at the moment that my terms of capitulation were under consideration by the enemy, had grounded upon the bar, but by the active and judicious exertions of Commander Stellwagen, after some delay was got off. At the same time, the Harriet Lane, in attempting to enter the bar, had grounded, and remained fast; both were under the guns of the fort. This, to me, was a moment of the greatest anxiety. By these accidents, a valuable ship of war and a transport steamer, with a large portion of my troops, were within the power of the enemy. I had demanded the strongest terms, which he was considering. He might refuse, and seeing our disadvantage, renew the action. But I determined to abate not a tittle of what I believed to be due to the dignity of the Government; not even to give an official title to the officer in command of the rebels. Besides, my tug was in the inlet, and at least I could carry on the engagement with my two rifled six-pounders, well supplied with Sawyer's shell.

Upon taking possession of Fort Hatteras, I found that it mounted ten guns, with four yet unmounted and one large ten-inch columbiad, all ready for mounting. I append the official muster roll of Col. Martin, furnished by him, of the officers and men captured by us.

The position of the fort is an exceedingly strong one, nearly surrounded on all sides by water, and only to be approached by a marsh of five hundred yards circuitously over a long neck of sand, within half musket range, and over a causeway a few feet only in width, and which was commanded by two thirty-two pound guns, loaded with grape and canister, which were expended in our salute. It had a well-protected magazine and bomb-proof, capable of sheltering some three or four hundred men. The parapet was nearly of octagon form, enclosing about two-thirds of an acre of ground, well covered, with sufficient traverses, and ramparts, and parapets, upon which our shells had made but little impression.

The larger work, nearest this inlet, was known as Fort Hatteras. Fort Clark, which was about seven hundred yards northerly, is a square redoubt, mounting five guns and two six-pounders. The enemy had spiked these guns, but in a very inefficient manner, upon abandoning the fort the day before. I had all the troops on shore at the time of the surrender of the forts, but re-embarked the regulars and marines. Finding it impossible, without a delay of the fleet which could not be justified under the state of facts at Fortress Monroe, and owing to the threatening appearance of the weather, I disembarked the provisions, making,

with the provisions captured, about five days' rations for the use of the troops.

On consultation with Flag-officer Stringham and Cominander Stellwagen, I determined to leave the troops and hold the fort, because of the strength of the fortifications and its importance, and because, if again in the possession of the enemy, with a sufficient armament, the very great difficulty of its capture, until I could get some further instructions from the Government. Commodore Stringham directed the steamers Monticello and Pawnee to remain inside, and these, with the men in the forts, are sufficient to hold the position against any force which is likely, or indeed possible, to be sent against it. The importance of the point cannot be overrated. When the channel is buoyed out, any vessel may carry fifteen feet water over it with ease. Once inside, there is a safe harbor and anchorage in all weathers. From there the whole coast of Virginia and North Carolina, from Norfolk to Cape Lookout, is within our reach, by light draft vessels, which cannot possibly live at sea during the winter months. From it offensive operations may be made upon the whole coast of North Carolina to Bogue Inlet, extending many miles inland to Washington, Newbern, and Beaufort. In the language of the chief engineer of the rebels, Colonel Thompson, in an official report, "it is the key of the Albemarle." In my judgment it is a station second in importance only to Fortress Monroe on this coast. As a depot for coaling and supplies for the blockading squadron, it is invaluable. As a harbor for our coasting trade, or inlet from the winter storm, or from pirates, it is of the first importance. By holding it, Hatteras light may again send forth its cheering ray to the storm-beaten mariner, of which the worse than vandalism of the rebels deprives him. It has but one drawback-a want of good water-but of that a condenser, like the one now in operation at Fortress Monroe, at a cost of a few hundred dollars, will relieve.

I append to this report a statement of the prizes which have been taken into that "inlet" within a few days, compiled from the official documents captured with the fort. I add hereto an official report of the chief engineer of the coast defences of the rebels. Please find also appended a statement of the arms and munitions of war captured with the fort, as nearly as they can be ascertained.

While all have done well, I desire to speak in terms of especial commendation, in addition to those before mentioned, of the steadiness and cool courage of Col. Max Weber, who we were obliged to leave in command of a detachment of three hundred men on a strange coast, without camp equipage or possibility of aid, in the face of an enemy six hundred strong, on a dark and stormy night; of Lieut.-Col. Weiss, who conducted a reconnoissance of twenty men; of the daring and prompt efficiency of Capt. Nixon, of the "Coast Guards," who, with his

Permit me to speak of the efficiency of the regulars under Lieut. Larned, who worked zealously in aiding to land their comrades, of the volunteers, overwhelmed with the rolling surf. I desire especially to make acknowledgments to Messrs. Weigel and Durivage, volunteer aids, who planted the American flag upon Fort Clark, on the second morning, to indicate to the fleet its surrender, and to prevent the further wasting of shells upon it-a service of great danger from the fire of their own friends. I make honorable mention of young Fiske, who risked his life among the breakers, being thrown on shore, to carry my orders to the troops landed, and to apprise them of the movements and intentions of the fleet; also, my thanks for the valuable aid of Capt. Haggerty, who was employed in visiting the prizes in the harbor while we were agreeing upon the terms of capitulation.

Of the services to the country of the gentlemen of the navy proper, I may not speak, for one ought not to praise when he has no right to censure, and they will be appropriately mentioned, I doubt not, by the commander, who is capable of appreciating their good conduct. But I am emboldened to ask permission, if the Department shall determine to occupy the point as a permanent post, that its name may be changed, by general order, from Fort Hatteras to Fort Stringham. But, of those gentlemen who served under my immediate command, I may make honorable mention, as I have before done, of the zealous, intrepid, and untiring action of Lieut. Crosby, who took an armed canal boat (the steam-tug Fanny, from Fort Monroe) to Hatteras Inlet, in order that the expedition might have the aid of a steamer of the lightest draft. Capt. Shuttleworth, of the marine corps, deserves well for his loyalty and efficiency in his active detachment of marines. Much of the success of the expedition is due to the preparation of the transport service by Commander Stellwagen, and the prompt presence of mind with which he took the troops from their peril, when the Adelaide touched on the bar, is a rare quality in an officer in danger. Although Capt. Faunce, of the Pawnee service, now in command of the Harriet Lane, was unfortunate enough to get his vessel on one of the numerous sand bars about the inlet, it happened, I believe, in consequence of a deternination, creditable in him, to aid me by being near to cover the troops in landing. Captain Lowry, who had the George Peabody in charge, brought in his vessel with safety, with the troops, who were pleased with his care and conduct. He still remains at the inlet.

seven hundred men, twenty-five pieces of artillery, a thousand stand of arms, a large quantity of ordnance stores, provisions, three valuable prizes, two light boats, and four stand of colors, one of which had been presented within a week by the ladies of Newbern, North Carolina, to the "North Carolina Defenders."

By the goodness of that Providence which watches over our nation, no one of the fleet or army was in the least degree injured.

The enemy's loss was not officially reported to us, but was ascertained to be twelve or fifteen killed and thirty-five wounded.

I enclose herewith the official report of the rebel wounded, by Dr. Wm. M. King, of the United States storeship Supply.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General United States Army,
Com. Volunteers.

Maj.-Gen. JOHN E. WOOL.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF COL. WEBER,
FORT HATTERAS, Sept. 5, 1861.

Major-General Butler :--

SIR: I take the first opportunity which is offered to me by the arrival of a steamer from Fortress Monroe, to report to you the action of the troops who were landed and acted under my command in the capture of Fort Hatteras.

On Wednesday morning, the 29th ult., at ten o'clock, the landing of troops commenced; the surf was running very high, and continued to run higher and higher, so that but three hundred and eighteen men could be landed. The condition of these troops was, of course, a very bad one; all of us were wet up to the shoulders, cut off entirely from the fleet, with wet ammunition and without any provisions, but still all had but one thought-to advance.

I appointed Capt. Von Doehn of the Twentieth regiment, who has been Acting-Adjutant of Camp Hamilton for the last three months, to act also here in that capacity, had the troops formed in line, counted, and reported to me as follows!

Forty-five men of the regiment, Capt. Larner and Lieut. Loder; forty-five men of marine soldiers of the Minnesota; sixty-eight men Ninth regiment N. Y. V., Capt. Jardine; one hundred and two men Twentieth regiment N. Y. V.; twenty-eight men Union Coast Guard, Capt. Nixon; twenty men, sailors, (artillery :) making a total of three hundred and eighteen

men.

I had all reason to be very cautions, having but a small force, and the more as we saw the enemy reinforce the fort all the time.

Our distance from the first fort (Clark) was about three miles. I sent Lieut.-Col. Weiss with twenty men of the Twentieth regiment to make a reconnoissance, and ordered Lieut. Weigel (ordnance officer of Gen. Butler's staff) to

At twenty-five minutes past twelve P. M., flags down on Forts Clark and Hatteras, the first apparently abandoned by the enemy, who were running toward Fort Hatteras, and leaving the shore in boats.

At half-past twelve P. M. made signal to "cease firing." At ten minutes after one P. M. our troops moving up the beach. At two P. M. American flag displayed from Fort Clark by our pickets, who were in possession.

At four o'clock, Monticello, Captain Gillis, was ordered to feel his way into the inlet and take possession, but he had advanced only a short distance when fire was opened on him from Fort Hatteras, toward which a tug-steamer, towing a schooner filled with troops, was seen coming from the southward for its relief.

General signal, "Engage batteries," was immediately made. The Minnesota, Susquehanna, and Pawnee opened fire at once, the Wabash having towed the Cumberland into the offing.

The Monticello, from her advanced position, was much exposed, and was struck several times; but finally hauled off without serious damage.

At a quarter past six o'clock signal to cease firing was made, and the squadron hauled off for night with the exception of the Monticello, Pawnee, and Harriet Lane-they being ordered to go in shore and protect the troops during the night. Wind from S. and weather looking squally.

Thursday, 29th-S. W. wind, and pleasant weather. Sea more moderate.

At half-past five A. M. made general signal, "Prepare to engage batteries, and follow my motions; " weighed anchor, and stood in shore; discovered the main body of our troops near where they landed.

At a quarter past seven instructed Commanders of Monticello and Pawnee to attend to the troops on the beach, and embark them if they wished to come off; if they did not, to provision them.

At half-past seven made general signal, "Attack batteries, but be careful not to fire near the battery in our possession."

At eight A. M. Susquehanna leading, opened fire on Fort Hatteras, the Wabash following; Minnesota passing inside of the Wabash, anchored between her and the Susquehanna and opened fire at a quarter past eight o'clock. At nine the Cumberland came in under sail, handled handsomely, and anchored in excellent position on the starboard bow of the Minnesota, and commenced firing with effect.

Observing our shot to fall short some, made signal, "Cease firing; use fifteen fuses only with ten-inch guns."

At thirty-five minutes past nine recommenced firing, our shot now falling in and around the battery with great effect.

At forty-five minutes past nine the Harriet Lane came up and joined in the fire with her rifled guns.

At ten minutes past eleven A. M. a white flag was displayed from the fort. Made signal, "Cease firing."

The enemy returned our fire through the engagement, but with no effect, their shot falling short.

Almost at the commencement of the engagement they hauled down their colors, and showed none until the white flag was displayed. When the flag was hauled down, it was thought by many they had surrendered; but as the same thing had been done yesterday, and they afterward fired on the Monticello, no attention was paid to it. They soon recommenced firing and continued so to do until they surrendered, without (as I have stated above) any colors flying.

Upon the appearance of the white flag, our troops marched toward the fort, and, as if by preconcerted signal, but without any order or request, the officers and crews of the squadron gave three hearty cheers for our success.

At half-past eleven Major-General Butler, in the tug Fanny, went into the inlet, to the rear of the forts, to take possession. Three steamers and several schooners, with troops on board, were in the Sound, watching the engagement. They all left as the Fanny approached. She fired at them with her rifled piece.

I directed the Harriet Lane to go in the inlet, giving her my best pilot. She grounded but soon got off.

The chartered steamers, with the remaining troops on board, went into the inlet. The Lane, in following these steamers, grounded a second time, and had been unable at the time of my departure from the inlet (three P. M. of the 30th) to get off. The weather being fine and the sea smooth, and having the assistance of the Susquehannah, Monticello, and Pawnee under my direction to render every aid, I am in hopes that she has ere this succeeded in getting afloat again.

In this connection I may very appropriately apprise the Department, and congratulate myself, that I have no accident to record to a single officer or man of the navy, army, or marines.

At about half-past two P. M. of the 29th, Major-General Butler came to this ship, bringing with him three senior officers, viz.: Samuel Barron, Flag-officer Confederate States Navy, commanding naval defences of Virginia and North Carolina; Wm. F. Martin, Colonel Seventh regiment of infantry, North Carolina Volunteers; W. S. G. Andrews, Major, commanding Forts Hatteras and Clark; informing me the enemy had surrendered under the stipulations contained in the original agreement between myself and Major-General Butler on behalf of the United States Government, and the officers above named on the part of the enemy, which agreement I had the honor of inclosing with my despatch, No. 134, under date Aug. 30, off Hatteras Inlet.

I have the honor to enclose a copy of the re