The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-21
THE w AR.
THE FIGHT AT ROANOKE.
Rebel Accounts.
From the Richmond Dispatch.

We gather the following particulars from
a Young man from the Richmond Blues, who
participated in the fight, escaped in a small
boat, and rowed to Nag's Head, where he
was taken up by one Of our gunboats, and
brought to this city. He is an intelligent
lad, and believe a son of your postmaster.
The enemy's ships, he says, opened fire on
our batteries at Roanoke Island about seven
O'Clock in the morning lof Friday,) and kept
up an incessant fire until seven o'clock in the
evening, doing, however, but little injury TO
the island. About nine o'clock the next day,
Saturday. the Hessians were allowed to
land on point to the east Of Roanoke Is
land, where they marched upon that point
(Our teiesraphic accounts say Sunday The
booming Of heavy cannon in the distance he
ralded the enemy's approach. Our brave
troops prepared TO meet them, supposins
their numbers to be about 5000. Gradually
the sounds came nearer and nearer, and the
shell came thick and fast over our intrench-
ments. Confident OF their own strength, our
troops moved rapidly forward, when, in a
few minutes, the ball opened and the terrific
contest ensued Bravely did our boys stand
up to the overwhelming forces of the enemy.
and not till nearly every man Was dead or
wounded did they leave their stand. Moth
ing remained but retreat which our men did,
constantly turning and giving them shot.
Finding it useless TO hold the island under
such overwhelming numbers. the order TO re-
treat from the island was given, and our re-
naming troops retired leaving their strong
hold in the hands of the enemy.
1t will be pleasure hereafter TO record on
the page Of history the heroic fortituae of our
gallant troops. Nohiy and well did Captain
.. Jennings Wise Of Your city stand up with
his men to the fierce encounter, when, SUD
denly, he Vas shot through the side and in
he was much hurt, Not much" replied he,
"hut fight them vet He was borne from
the scene Of action in blanket. About 300
of our brave boys fell. and nearly all the rest
We're either wounded or taken prisoners
The enemv's loss is laid down at loco. -Four
of their ships we're sunk, they doing but lit
tie damage to any of our boats. CJmmo-
dore Lynch and other parts of our fleet did
noble service-his ship being the first to op
en- fire on the enemy> shipping. At last &C
counts they Were in pursuit of Commodor,
Ivrch.
ll the midst .. this terrible struggle, il
will be regretted that Gen Wise was serious
ly indisposeG al Nag's Head. Bc'n he and
his son are expected here today. all SOY
ry to say that but few escaped from Capt
Wi>e's company. Large quantities Of ammu-
milton were saved by our troops. The We
men, children and a number of negroes, are
reported now on their way to our city. The
enemy will be successfully checked from get
ting possession of our railroad in this yicini-
ty. Active preparations have been made
here regarding this disaster, which ii may bl
mprldent to mention. The news fell upo.
the ears of our citizens with fearful signih
canoe. Many would have shut their eyes a
gainst the fac. had not dread conviction com,
so direct.