OPERATIONS IN N. C. AND S. E. VA. [CHAP. XIII.

interior you will find a greater number of secessionists. The three men mention din my former report have returned from the opposite shore, bringing the information that the citizens who were frightened from their homes when they heard that our forces had landed have returned, and that their recent voice is for peace under the old Government. Secret meetings have been held at a place called Middletown, and they have resolved to allow our forces to land without molestation if we will come in a force strong enough to protect them from the vigilance committees. Meetings, I believe, have been held in other towns, but owing to the secret manner in which they were conducted, I have not been able to learn what has been done at either of them.

In order to counteract the falsehoods so industriously circulated by the rebels I have issued a communication, a copy of which is herewith inclosed, and marked A. Copeis have been sent to all the principal towns int he State in such a manner that I am confident that many of them will reach their destination.

I am daily in receipt of information, the most of which I believe to be correct. The following is a summary of all I have received since my last report: 1st. Since the taking of Hatteeras, Fort Macon has been roofed with railroad iron, new guns added, and largely re-enforced. The town of Beaufort is now occupied by a large force; I believe that there are about 1,500 men at the fort and about 3,000 in and about the town.

2nd. Fifteen vessels have been sunk in the Neuse River, below New Berne. The fort or battery below the town of New Berne has been strengthened and new guns added; at the town there are two regiments of infantry, two or three squadrons of horse, and a section of artillery.

3. Pamlico River has had a row of piles driven across it some 8 or 10 miles below the town of Washington; a small body of troops are stationed at this town.

4th. Roanoke Island has but one battery, instead of two, mounting seventeen guns, and a garrison of 2,200 men, and 800 more are expected there to-day from Norfolk.

5th. Norfolk has no protection in the rear and a very small force in the town.

Information has been received that some 2,500 of the troops at Roanoke Island and to arrive are within the next fifty hours going to try to effect a landing on this island some 38 miles above here. Their intention is to blow up the light-house on Cape Hatters, and then to attack Fort Clark, burn villages, carry off the loyal inhabitants, &c. I am only waiting for further intelligence, which will determine my course. Should I be confirmed in the belief that the last above-mention information is correct, I shall meet the rebels when they attempt to land with a force of 700 on shore, and the steamer Fanny, with three ship's launches, on the water, carrying 200 men and five guns.

I do most sincerely trust that you will urge upon the Government the great and important necessity of taking Roanoke Island and occupying it immediately, so as to enable us to control the commerce of both sounds, Albemarle and Pamlico; also the great necessity of six or eight gunboats, not drawing over 7 1/2 feet of water. Without them we are almost helpless ont he waters of these sounds; with them we could totally annihilate all water communication between the States of Virginia and North Carolina and between the sea-coast and main-land, and prevent any landing of troops on the island.

My present force, including officers and men, amounts to 946. I consider Fort Clark at best but little protection against land forces. A