CHAP. XIII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

finally the whole command fell back to this station, with a loss on the part of Colonel Brown of 3 sergeants, 2 corporals, and 24 men, stragglers. He sent back a party to burn and destroy his camp, which was supposed to be partially done, and fell into the hands of the enemy.

On the afternoon of yesterday I visited Fort Clark-say 1 mile northward of this fort-and continues till farther northward, to Camp Wool-say 4 miles-and thence 3 miles farther northward, to our last picket-say 7 miles from this fort. I inclose orders i have given, Nos. 1 and 2.* The enemy, if they have not retreated to Roanoke Island, must be some 30 or 40 miles off. I shall, at all events, hold he position we now occupy. Our pickets have a full view of the balled or sand beach to the light-house. W have within our present limits abundant wood and water; but we should have the command of this sound (Pamlico), which we have not, for want of suitable small steamers, drawing from 3 to 5 feet of water. The only naval force now here is the Stars and Stripes, five guns, drawing 9 feet of water; the General Putnam and Ceres, of two guns each, drawing 6 feet each. I was surprised last evening to find that the Susquehanna and Monticello had left for the North before dark. We have now no vessel outside to watch the march of troops down the beach to attack our front. We can hold the woods on the west side of the peninsula, but about half the breadth of the peninsula, from our pickets to Fort Clark, is sand beach, 1,000 yards wide, and difficult to deed with our small force.

I will thank you to order by the next steamer for this place the articles mention din the memorandum herewith, and proper receipts will be turned. I am much pressed for time at this moment.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOS. K. F. MANSFIELD, Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, &c., Commanding.

Major General JOHN E. WOOL, Commanding Department of Virginia, &c.

P. S.-I inclose the reports of Colonel Brown to Colonel Hawkins and Colonel Hawkins' report to me, on the subject of the loss of the Fanny by capture, and the return of the Twentieth Indiana Regiment.+

[Indorsement.]

This report is worthy of attention.

JOHN E. WOOL, Major-General.

[Inclosure Numbers 3.] FORT HATTERAS, Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, October 10, 1861.

SIR: The steamer will probably be able to go to sea to-day, in about an hour. I have only time to say to you that the troops-say the Twentieth Indiana Regiment-are suffering for want of clothing, blankets, shoes, tents, &c. There should be a large supply of lumber for huts, consisting of 4 by 4 joists, and board and shingles Shingle-nails are much wanted, and all the articles on the requisitions. We should have some dozen hand-carts, for the men to move their provisions by hand over this sandy beach to their camps, &c.

--------------- *Not found.

+Not found. The aggregate captured was 28.

---------------

40 R R-VOL IV