Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-02-21
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT N. G. !
Roanoke Island, Feb. 10, 1862. (

tHc ISiaHu, resulting Ill INC capture VI tue
prisoners mentioned above. We have
had no time to count them, but the num-
Der is estimated at nearly 5000.
Our men fought bravcly, and have en-
dured most manfully the hardships Incl.
dent to fighting through swamps and
dense thckets. 1t is impossible to give
the details Of the engagement, or to men,
ton meritorious officers and men in the
short time allowed for writing this report.
the naval vessel carrying it starting inn
medlately for Hampton Roads, and the
reports of the Brigadier Generals not yet
having been handed in. 1t is enough to
say that the officers and men of both
arms of tie service have fought calamity,
and the plans agreed upon before leaving
Hatteras were carried out.
I will be excused for saying in refer.
ence to the action that | owe everything
to Generals Foster, Reno and Parke, as
more full details vii! show.
am sorry to report the loss of about
80 killed and about 200 wounded, ten Of
them probably mortally. Among the
killed are Col. Russell of the 10th Con-
nccticut and Lieut.. Col. Victor DeMonteil
of the D'Epincuil Zouavcs Both of
them fought most gallantly. | regret e1.
ceedingly not being able to send full
report of the killed and wounded, but
will send a despatch il day or two with
full returns.
beg leave to enclose copy of gen.
cral order issued by me on the 9th.
am most happy to say that l have
Just received message from Commander
Gouldsborough stating that the expedi-
ton Of his gunboats against Elizabeth
City and the rebel feet has been entirely
successful. He will, of course, send his
returns to his Department.
have the honor to be, General,
Your obcdient servant,
A. +. BURNSIDE. Brig. Gen. Com.
Department of North Carolina.
\ private letter, written OH board the
gunboat Stars and Stripes, Feb. 18th,
says: After the cannonading of the
enemy's batteries by our naval forces, the
landing of the military commenced about
/ II O'Clock on Friday afternoon at Ash
hy's harhor, about - miles below the
rebel fort Burton, of nine 32-pounders.
The landing was effected under the cover
of the guns Of two of our gunboats, the
Delaware and Morse, which with the
Sheppard drove away and dispersed two
rebel regiments that were stationed there
with three field pieces to oppose the land
ing,
Our men were up to their middle in
mud and water III landing. When on
shore they found the three rebel pieces in
the morass. BY nine o'clock that night
G en- Burnside had landed 5000 men, and
continued landing them through the night
at the rate of 1000 per hour. The land
movement against the enemy's batteries
was commenced carly Saturday morning.
the fleet meantime engaging and silencing
a shore battery opposite it. Cur forces
advancing in the direction of the battery
in the centre of the island, the rebels
were soon driven behind their intrench-
ments, where they resisted.
Eight mor;ars were landed from the
fleet to serve as our land artillery
About midday the Hawkins Houavcs and
the 10th Connecticut regiment, under
Gen. Foster, made dashing bayonet
charge upon the battery commanded by
young Wise, wading kncc-dcep through
mud and water to get at the fort, and
yelling like 50 many Indians. Mean.
while Il dctour was made on the right by
Gen. Reno and on the left by Gen. Fos-
ter This attack frem three sides decided
the fate Of the day The rebels fed from
their intrenchmcnts before the array of
cold steel was brought to bear against
them
The Hawkins Xouayes leapcl the front
deteaSes, bayonct in hand, and the rebels
fled. Young Wise was not wounded here
as report has said he was, but he received
his wound in endeavorng to escape from
the island in boat from Sh How Bog
Bay. The boat was fired on and he re-
ceiyed four wounds He was made
prisoner and died on Sunday morning Of
his wounds.
After the reduction of the battery in
the centre of tho Island, Generals Reno
and Parkes took force Of MEN and went
mand, and took unlisputed possession of
it. 1t had been the principal point OF
two days bombar lment by our navy
At 4:t5 on the afternoon of Saturday,
the American flag was displayed from the
battery. Gen. Foster then pursued the
rebels to the north end Of tho Island,
where was also in camp or drawn up q
Virginia rogimcnt that had boen towed
dewn in six scboqnors from the main
land early Saturday morning. Gen. Fos1
ter approached and had an interview with
the reboi oommaHdeF Col. Shaw of North
Carolina, who asked him what terms he
would exact, Gen; Foster replied, " an
unconditional sqrrepder,a and consented
to give him time 10 return to his camp to
decide or not to aceede to tho demand.--
The rebel officer had hardly reached his
men when the Massachusetts Oath Regi-
ment, burning with impatience, sprang
forward in the direction Of the enemy,
+ when Col Shaw Immediately raised {