Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-02-28
The Roanoke Battle.


way between the Point and Roanoke Island
10 inch gun battery opened on the feet.
A reconnaissance ty the Underwater show
ed that the enen rad obstructcd the passage
by sinking vessels and driving piles the. en-
tire width Of Croton Sound; that above this
barricade were eight gnnboats; and that in
addition to the battery on Pork Point, named
Fort Barlow, were Fort Blanchard four guns,
and Fort Hunger on Weir's Point, four guns,
and Fort Forrest, eight guns, on Red Stone,
on the west side of the Sound, opposite Weir's
Point, all Of which bore so as to play on our
feet, should it attempt to pass the barricade.
The feet Immediately advanced in three
columns to attack Pork Point battery and
the rebel gunboats. At III the engagement
became general, and in less than an hour the
rebel feet retired, the Curlew being so much
disabled that she was run aground under Fit.
Forrest. Our fleet now concentrated its fire
on Fort Barlow, at range of three-quartcrs
to one mile, which was as near as the water
would allow our boats to approach. .a
At first the fort replied vigorously, but
gradually slackened its fire. The resistance
was, however, stubborn. The flag was shot
away, the quarters set on fire, and the work
plowed up by our shells. ......
About p NJ, Gen Burnside's forces COM
mcnccd landing at Ashby's Harbor, about
two miles below Pork Point. A rebel force
of 1000, with three pieces, were stationed in
the woods to oppose them. Our gunboats
shelled the woods and scattered the rebels in
all directions. Our men were taken in small
steamers and launches as near the shore as
possible, and had to wade, sinking to the
middle at every step, for upwards Of quar-
ter ola mile.
Between and o'clock the rebel fleet re-
turned to the attack vigorously, and an en-.
gagement ensued between it and several of
our gunboats, while the remainder kept up
the fire on Fort Barlow. In an hour the reb.
ei gunboats retired; the second time several
Of them disabled Fort Barlow fired but sell
dom now. ~. ........ .............
At o'clock Flag Officer Goldsborough sig
nailed our feet to withdraw after an action of
seven or eight hours. Many Of our gunboats
were struck. but none Of them seriously dam
aged. The CASUALTIES were three killed and
eight or ten wounded rt f ..-
Meanwhile the land forces continued the
debarkation, and by midnight had a force of
nearly II 900 men on Roanoke Island. The
enemy were entrcnched on the center Of the
Island, four or five miles distant ... .-
AT an earl, hour on Saturday morning,
Gen. Foster commenced forward movement,
followed by the entire force under Gen. Reno
and Gen. Paris. At about half past 8, Gen.
Foster came up with the enemy, defended by
a three gun earthwork, fanked on both sides
by what was deemed an insupportable mo-
rass, the only approach to which was mar
row causeway, on which their guns bore. In
the battery and vicinity were from two to
three thousand men, .-... ..... b ..
Our artillery, which consisted Of six pieces
from the naval launches, was placed in front
by Gen. Foster, who had the immediate COM
mand, Gen. Burnside being at the point Of
landing. .s 49,. ... ..u
The infantry and artillery opened on both
sides with vigor. Our rein orcements as they
arrived were placed with the view of penetra-
ting the morass on both sides so as to flank
the battery. a.... ..-..... H#....
Our men steadily advanced, closing around
the enemy under a hot fire from all sides, and
suffered severely. ... .-uut-
At about IL o'clock the New York 9th,
Hawkins Zouaves, received the order to
charge, and under the fire of the enemy
charged up the causeway, distance of half
mile, yelling themselves and cheered by the
entire force. The enemy became panic
stricken, and as the Zouaves entered the
works they went out fleeing precipitously,
leaving everything behind them.
As soon as possible Gen, Reno took up the
pursuit, followed by Gen. Foster, who kept
up the pursuit Of the main force of the enemy,
while Gen Reno went forward to Fort Huger
where body of rebels had fed. .... a. .
At the same time Col. Hawkins was sent
with his regiment to the right in the direc-
ton of Shallowbag Bay. -.......... ....
The enemy in their flight strcwed the road
with guns, equipments, and everything that
they could throw away. The panic androut
were complete When close on their heels,
and near the upper part Of the Island, Gen.
Foster was met by a flag of truce from Col.
Shaw, demanding terms Of capitulation.-
Gen Foster replied that the surrender must
be unconditional and immediate. These
terms were accepted and about 500 laid
down their arms. ..... ....-. .-...
Meanwhile Gen. Reno came up with body
of about 800 under Col. Sordan who surren-
dered Internationally. s ahen
Col Hawkins found the battery at Shall
lowbag Bay deserted, but took several pris-
oners. a ....... ....s .@..... ....
Capt o. Jennings Wise was attempting to
make his escape in boat when he was shot
in three places, and died the next morning.
The Forts were all occupied by our forces
that night. The rebels the same night blew
up Fort Forrest. The distractions having
been removed our feet entered Albemarlc
Sound. rs- aL
On Sunday, Flag Officer Goldsborough dis
patched 13 gunboats under Capt. Rowen to
Elizabeth City, where the rebel feet had fed.
On Monday morning, our feet attacked them,
and destroyed the rebel gunboats, running
them down ard boarding them in the most
gallant manner. via EH.&
Elizabeth City was fired by the rebels
The city was entirely deserted, and the great
est panic imaginable prevailed.
The BRIDGE BURNERS. Halleck has
committed the sentence ofthc bridge-burners
The order is as follows:
SIN consideration of the recent victories
won by the Federal forces. and Of the rapidly
increasing loyalty Of citizens of Missouri, who
at one time forgot their duty to their flag and
country, the sentences Of John c. Tompkins,
William j. Forshey. John Patton, Thomas
NJ Smith, Stephen Stoll, George II. Cunning
ham, Richard B. Crowder and George NJ.
Pulliam, heretofore condemned to death, are
nroviSSionallv mitioafpd to close confinament