The Roanoke Island Affair.
--The Congressional Committee appointed to investigate the causes of our disaster on Roanoke Island in February last, has made its report. The following is the conclusion, from which it will be seen that the whole blame is thrown upon the shoulders of Gen. Huger and Secretary Benjamin.It is apparent to the committee, from the correspondence on file of Gen. Wise with the Secretary of War, Gen. Huger, his superior Officer the Governor of North Carolina, and other persons, that he was fully alive to the importance of Roanoke Island, and has devoted his whole time, and energies, and means, to the defences of that position; and that he is in no way responsible for the unfortunate disaster which befell our forces upon that island on the 7th and 8th of February. But the committee cannot say the same in reference to the efforts of the Secretary of War and the commanding officer at Norfolk, Gen. Sugar. It is apparent that the Island of Roanoke was important for the defence of Norfolk and that Gen. Huger had under his command at that point upwards of 15,000 men, a large supply of armament and ammunition, and could have thrown in a few hours a large reinforcement upon Roanoke Island, and that himself and the Secretary of war had timely notice of the entire inadequacy of the defences, the want of men and mu of war, and the threatening attitude of the enemy. But Gen. Huger and the Secretary of War paid no practical attention to those urgent appeals of Gen. Wise, sent forward none of his important requisitions, and permitted Gen. Wise and his inconsiderable force to remain to meet at least fifteen thousand men, well armed and equipped. If the Secretary of War and the commanding General at Norfolk had not the means to reinforce General Wise, why was he not ordered to abandon his position, and save his command? But, upon the contrary, he was required to remain, and sacrificed his command, with no means to his insulated position to make his escape in case of defeat. The committee, from the testimony, are therefore constrained to report that, whatever of blame and responsibility is justly attributable to any one for the defeat of our troops at Roanoke Island, on the 8th of February, 1862, should attach to Major-General B. Huger and the late Secretary of War, J. P. Benjamin.
