639
IMP
-'phis:
•-W..
LANDING OF THE UNION TROOPS AT HATTERAS UNDER COVER OF THE FLEET. FROM A WAR-TIME SKETCH.
Wriglxt intended to land part of his force above and the balance below thecamp of Colonel Brown, capture his regiment, destroy the lightdiouse, andthen, in his discretion, move upon Hatteras Inlet. The prompt retreat frus-trated the first part of the design, and Colonel Wright, seeing what hebelieved to be a large reenforcement, retreated without undertaking theother parts of his plan.
Until October 13th we had peace at the inlet. That day Brigadier-GeneralThomas Williams relieved General Mansfield, and assumed command ofthe post. The new commander was a man of many idiosyncrasies, andoutside of his staff was cordially disliked for his severe treatment of themen. ^
On the 5th of November I was sent by General Wool on a special boatto Washington to urge upon the President the importance of either aban-doning Hatteras Inlet or erecting suitable accommodations for the troops.The next morning after my arrival in Washington I reported to the Presi-dent and presented my letter from General Wool, and was asked by thePresident to appear before the Cabinet. I did so and explained fully thesituation at Hatteras Inlet and urged the importance of undertakingfurther operations to hold that position, it being the threshold to the
j> I was arrested by General Williams for refus- ment from Governor E. D. Morgan. I denied theing to assign to duty, as captain in my regiment, right of appointment, and I was sustained bya, disreputable officer who had received an appoint- General Wool and President Lincoln.— R. C. H.