inty that before many hours the weather would put a stop to the attack — for, be it remembered, that it very seldom happens, not once a year indeed, that a fleet of ships can lie so near Hatteras forty-eight hours--how happens it that an old soldier like Flag-officer Barron should surrender.
I fancy this is the answer to the question: That the wood-work of a ventilator in the bomb-proof, near the magazine, took fire, and the men raised a panic greater in degree than that of our troops at Bull Run, and absolutely forced him to put up the white flag.
The fort was in no great degree injured, and, according to Mr. Barron, there was no great danger to the men. They were, I imagine, almost entirely protected by the bomb-proofs.
Supposing, while the firing was going on, that it must cause great mortality in the forts, I gave the rebels much credit for pluck.
But the evidence left after the evacuation proves them to have been great cowards, supposing always that the story of Mr. Barron
as they had all the wagons of the neighborhood busy in hauling off the slain.
Two wagons were seen full of the killed.
Their chaplain admitted the loss to be very heavy, and much blood was found upon the hill from which they were driven.
Colonel Geary displayed much skill and great bravery during the whole of the engagement.
This was my first day upon the battlefield, and my venerable friend Judge McCook fully sustained the high reputation of the McCook fighting family.
This was not a Bull Run, but a rebel-run affair.
The rebel colonel during the next day sent down a flag of truce, offering to exchange the only prisoner they took — a Pennsylvania corporal — for the chaplain.
A few of their cavalry also appeared back of Bolivar, but were promptly shelled and dispersed by the Rhode Island battery.
Great praise is due the surgeons of the Third Wisconsin and the Thirteenth Massachusetts for skill and attention to the wounded, and to Corporal Myers of Company A, Third Wisconsin, fo
