The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-28
The Great Battle Of Roanoke
Island.
INTERVENING INCIDENTS.


At 81 O'Clock firing was commenced by |
the Rhode Island skirmishers, in front of |
the battery, and number of our men fell
dead and several were taken to the rear in
q wounded condition. Our skirmishers now
rushed up, valiantly driving the enemy be-
fore them, until arriving at clearing a
battery was discerned ahead, masked and
surrounded by an apparently impossible
swamp. Our troops then formed, supported
by a four howitzer battery on the right com.
manded by Benjamin H. Porter. In this
position they remained all night, standing
by their guns and exposed to the storm,
without shelter or proper food. The Twen-
ty.ffth Massachusetts opened upon the ene-
my at an early hour, and after expending
their forty rounds of cartridges fell back,
moving both to the right and to the left of
the curved road.
At this period the Second brigade came
up as follows: Thirty~frst Massachusetts,
Fitty-frst New York and Ninth New Jer-
sey. The Twenty.frst Massachusetts de-
ployed to the left of the battery, and enter
ed the swamp, followed closely by the Fifty.
first New York. Both of these regiments
endeavcred to flank the rebel entertainment
on the left. at this period the firing was
terrific, volley upon volley succeeding so
closely that it was difficult to distinguish
the intervals. They fought there two hours,
up to their waists in water. Gen. Reno
here came up to the front line with great
gallantry and asked if the Twenty first would
charge and take the battery--the men had
to lay down in the water, and mud in order
to load, rising up to iie--Major CLARK
promptly responded "yes!" Lieut.. Colonel
Maggi then gave the order to "charge upon
the battery"
The rebels seeing the Union folks charg.
ing on them fled in terror and the utmost
CONSERVATION, leaving their three guns un-
spiked, and throwing away every article
that was likely to impede their progress
guns, pistols, bowie knives, knapsacks,
clothing, food, etc. Our men struggled
through the swamp, forded the moat, and
climbed over parapets and thorough the
embrasures, cheering wildly.
The first Union colors within the fort was
the flag of the Tenty-6rst Massachusetts
and that of the Fifty-irst New York. I'm.
mediately the Ninth New York came up
in the rear of the battery and the Ninth
New Jersey advanced a'opg the road, which
was filled with Union soldiers.
The troops of the Second Brigade, under
command of General Reno, now started in
pursuit of the rebels, who were half an hour
ahead in full retreat. 1t would not be pos
sible to describe the appearance of the road
along which the enemy fed. The quanti-
ty and variety of articles we're too extensive
to describe. Numerous prisoners were tax.
en- along the route, the most of whom were
wounded and exhausted, having fallen by
the wayside. As we advanced on the road
towards Nag's Head, several boat loads of
rebels were OBSERVED retreating across Ro~
anoke Sound towards the main land. A
small sloop and surf boat had Just put off
from shore, having thirty or forty persons
on board, among whom were Captains
Smith and o. Jennings Wise, the latter
MORALLY wounded. General Reno instant
ly ordered five companies of the Twenty
first Massachusetts to scour the beach to
the right and left, and also commanded the
rebel boats to return or to be fred into.
They Immediately came ashore and surren~
dered to Major Clark.
The afternoon had now half passed, so
the brigade halted for some refreshment,
after which they started on the route to.
ward the rebel camp Georgia, three miles
distant. Company E, Twenty. first Massas
chusetts regiment, were thrown out as an
advance guard, and when three. quarters of
the way through the forest, were fred on by
the enemy, who were ambushed in the
bushes and trees. Forty skirmishers were
then deployed all of whom returned safe,
Notwithstanding that they killed three re-
bells and wounded five others. Soon after
this Lieutenant Hovey observed squad of
rebels approaching, bearing flag of truce.
Lieutenant Colonel Poor, who was in COM
mand of the flag, asked to see the command
ing General of the Union forces. Lieuten-
ant Hovey received the messenger and has.
tened with him to find General Reno. This
was near the junction of the road leading
to the rebel camp.
General Foster, with the Twenty.third
and Twenty-fourth Massachusetts,, had adj
vanced short distance beyond this road on
bis way to the north end of the island.
Having learned that be was on the wrong
route he was returning, when met by the
rebel messenger and Lieut.. Hovey. The
Lieutenant Colonel of the rebel regiment
meeting General Foster, asked him what
terms of capitulation would be granted?
General Foster replied None, except an
immediate and unconditional surrender ]"
Lieut.. Colonel Poor then acceded to the
terms, and was escorted to the rebel camp
by our troops. Meantime General Reno
advanced along the road with bis brigade
to the rebel camp also, and took possession
with the Twenty~6rst regiment, who were
drawn up in front of the barracks.
On this glorious occasion thirteen hum
dred rebels laid down their arms and sur
rendered to General Foster and seven huns
bred to General Reno. Company l, of the
TWENTY fret Massachusetts, was detailed to
take charge of the prisoners, and Company
@ to receive their arms, the greater portion
of which consisted of flint lock Spring.
field muskets, Mississippi rifles and few
percussion lock muskets.
The men and officers were mostly without
uniforms, being dressed in coarse regulation
cloth and X antnckv leans few of the