Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-02-20
From the Norfolk Day Book 18Th inst.
= Fulthe. from Our Fleet.

An officer Of our feet who was in such position as
to enable him to see all that was transrring around
him, furnishes with the following account of the en-
gagement:
The advance forces of the enemy consisting of TWEEN
tytwo large steamers and tug-b boat, began the at
tack upon the Island at hapast ten o'clock on Friday
morning The battle continued throughout the day
and whenever steamers drew near, to lend assis-
lance the whole of the enemys fotia excepting three
in shore, concentrated their fire upon them.
About four o'clock in the afternoon the Curlew was
disabled by shell from the enemy, and was compelled
| to make for shoal water where she sunk
During the cdnnORading the enemy were busy en-
poyed in landing their troops below Pork Point Bat
terry Two OF their steamers into slough In the
Ihelgbborhood ard succeeded in covering their landing
The enemy continued the attack until about dark when
they withdrew.
A little after four o'clock, the ammunition of our
squadron getting short, an application made for a
supply to the upper battery but the commanding Off
Ger could spare only about ten charges AS was es-
sental that ammunition should be had and there was
no more to be obtained from the batteries steame
was sent to the upper battery with dispatch to the
officer in command informing him that the fleet was
without ammunition and that it would repair to Eliza
beth Cty-thirtyfVe miles distant-Or the purpose of
obtaining supply, and that it would return without
delay Previous to leaving, information was received
by the fleet from Captain Tayloe, of the Navy who
had been at Pork Point Battery during the day that
was every reason to believe that they would be able to
hold out if the of the batteries was not turned.
The fleet reached Elizabeth City, Saturday
ing, and finding very little ammunition there sent
press to Norfolk for it, On Sunday afternoon, having
put all the ammunition and fuel which could be obt1 in
ed On board the Seabird and Appomattox, these two
steamers were sent forward Roanoke Island On ar
irving at the mouth Of the river they pet boat and
learned from it that the Island had been surrendered
and shortly aterward discovered five of the enemy s
cta
ed Immediately to the battery at Cobbs Point about
mile and half below Elizabeth CITY, and after send
ing express to Gen. Henningsen distributed all the
ammunition among four steamers and schooner and
formed line just above the battery. company had
been detailed the day previous for duty at this battery
and the object OF the fleet to cooperate with them
Shortly after daylight the enemy appeared in sight
and messenger sent from the feet to ascertain
the condition OF the battery Finding only seven men
there and supposing that the enemy would first attack
the battery the officers and of the Beaufort were
sent ashore to man two of the guns-these being as
many as they had ammunition to supply. The Beau
fort sent to the mouth of the canal where the Ra-
| leigh had been previously sent.
Instructions were given by the Commodore to the
commanding officers of all the vessels that when all
means OF resistance failed and they found themselves
unable to escape they should into shoal water set
them on fire and save their crews
The action commenced at torty-Gve minutes past
seven IN the morning, and resulted in the enemy passing
the battery and overwhelming the Seaboard and Alice
The last mentioned vessels the only ones known
to have fallen into the hands of the enemy The Fanny
was burned BY her commander, and the Appomattox is
believed to have escaped up the river. The Forrest
% the ways at Elizabeth City, repairing damages and
the information received yesterday be correct she
too was burned to prevent her falling into the hands Of
the enemy AS far as known there only six killed
and three wounded among the entire naval force which
we had In the action
We omitted to mention that the guns at Cobbs Bat
terry were all spiked before being possessed by the enc
my.