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

PORTSMOUTH, Va., October 18, 1861.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the condition of the defenses intrusted to my care: Fort Macon has but four guns of long range, and these are badly supplied with ammunition, and are on very inferior carriages.

New Berne has a tolerable battery, two 8-inch columbiads and two 32-pounders. It is, however, badly supplied with powder. This is also the condition of Washington.

Hyde, the richest county in the State, has ten landings, and only one gun-an English 9-pounder, of great age and venerable appearance.

Roanoke Island is the key of one-third of North Carolina, and whose occupancy by the enemy would enable him to reach the great railroad from Richmond to New Orleans. Four additional regiments are absolutely indispensable to the protection of this island. The batteries also need four rifled cannon of heavy caliber. I would most earnestly call the attention of the honorable Secretary of War to the importance of Roanoke Island. Its fall would be fully as fatal as that of Manassas. The enemy has now 8,000 men at Hatteras, and Roanoke Island will undoubtedly be attacked. The towns of Elizabeth, Edenton, Plymouth, and Williamson will be taken, should Roanoke be captured or passed. The inhabitants of those towns have been most criminally indifferent about efforts to fortify them.

I came up last night to this place to get rifled guns, but none can be procured without an order from the Secretary of the Navy. I have written to him on the subject, but fear that no attention will be given by him to the matter. With then additional rifled guns and a few more regiments I trust to be able to hold the line intrusted to my care. At present I must pronounce my entire inability to do so.

With great respect,

D. H. HILL, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.

PORTSMOUTH, VA., October 18, 1861.

HonorableS. R. MALLORY, Secretary C. S. Navy:

SIR: Having been placed by the honorable Secretary of War in charge of the coast defense of North Carolina from Fort Macon to the Virginia line, I have the honor to call your attention to the following statement of the condition of the fortifications. I make my report to you because the only hope of getting the proper ordnance is the navy-yard in this place.

Fort Macon cannot be held without four more efficient guns of long range. There are but four guns now of long range, and these are illy supplied with ammunition and are mounted on very inferior carriages. The battery at New Berne is well constructed and has two heavy 8-inch columbiads, but the ammunition is very scarce.

Washington has two good batteries as far as the earthwork is concerned, but the guns are of inferior caliber.

Hyde, the richest country in the State, has ten landings, and only a 9-pounder field pieces,an old English gun.

Roanoke Island is the key to one-third of North Carolina, and its possession by the enemy would enable him to seize the great railway connection between north and south of the Confederacy. This all-impor-