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

The channel in front of the batteries is 3 1\2 miles wide, with no obstructions to aid the guns in battery, and any fleet that can navigate the sound can run this channel (certainly in the night) without being hurt by the guns. It was understood that this was to have been done immediately after the fall of Hatteras, but it is yet so imperfectly done as to amount to no protection. A little promptness may even now effect much; for the possession of Albemarle Sound would entail one of the heaviest calamities of the war, not only to North Carolina, but would cut off Norfolk, and secure its capture or starvation. The direction of a superior engineer officer at Roanoke Island for a few weeks might now render the most material service of the war.

My favorite idea of defending the towns, rivers, and sounds on our coast was to recapture Hatteras. I don't think there has been a day since its capture that 3,000 men (selecting the opportunity) could not have retaken and destroyed it; and in lieu of its recapture it is feebly and insufficiently guarded by 15,000. Having failed to impress these views on the various commanders, I must now urge the fortification of Roanoke Island to defend one-half of the exposed territory; and it is necessary for the superintendence of a separate command, as the other positions on Pamlico require, and generally obtain, the attendance and vigilance of the commanding officer.

Most respectfully, yours,

HENRY T. CLARK.

YORKTOWN, December 17, 1861.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant-General:

SIR: I have this moment received information (of the truth of which there is no doubt) that a larger number of troops than have ever been at Fort Monroe is now there, under orders to march up the Peninsula at a moment's warning. My informant does not know for what signal they are waiting, but I feel assured it is the appearance of the fleet form Annapolis at Yorktown. I deem it important to communication this.

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS, } HDQRS. ARMY OF THE PENINSULA, Numbers 553. } Yorktown, December 19, 1861.

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II. The commanding general has the honor to announce to the garrison of Yorktown that, after a minute and most rigid examination of the defensive works at this post, he has entire confidence in their ability, when defended by the gallant soldiers of our Confederacy, to resist the most powerful attacks of the enemy with any number of ships. The enemy cannot succeed in getting possession of our works under any circumstances whatever.

The commanding general, therefore, congratulates the troops on the prospect which the expected sailing of the enemy's fleet from Annapolis affords them of repulsing and insolent foe, whose object is ot invade our land and destroy our homes.

There is much more apparent than real danger from an attack by ships, and the gallant manner in which the attempt on Pensacola was