January 5, 1862: Governor Henry T. Clark to Judah P. Benjamin

Henry T. Clark, Governor of North Carolina 1861-1862

Rumors of the Burnside expedition have reached North Carolina and a sense of panic is building. On this day 150 years ago, Henry T. Clark, Governor of North Carolina, wrote to Confederate Secretary of War Judah P. Benjamin. Clark was desperate to get reinforcements for the coast of North Carolina.

RALEIGH, January 5, 1862.

J.P. BENJAMIN:

We have reliable information that the Burnside expedition at Fort Monroe is destined for Pamlico Sound and New Berne. The batteries at New Berne are slight, and manned with inexperienced volunteers, and there are only two imperfect regiments there. We have no arms for volunteers or militia. Will you send us troops from Richmond or some of our own regiments from James River? Can we have arms for three regiments from the recent arrival at Wilmington?

HENRY T. CLARK.