Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-02-21
THE SENTINEL.
Account OF the Battle of Roanoke by
an Eyewitness.

account of the battle at Roanoke Island /:
The advance forces of the enemy, con-
sisting of twenty large steamers and
one tug-boat, began the attack upon the
island at half-past ten o'clock on Friday
morning. The battle continued through
out the day, and whenever our steamers
drew near to lend assistance, the whole
of the enemy's aotilla, excepting three
in shore, concentrated their lire upon
them. About four o'clock in the after
noon the steamer Curlow was disabled
by she'll from the enemy, and was COM
PEELED to make for shoal water where she
sunk.
During the cannonading the enemy
were busily employed in landing their
forces below Pork Point bait cry. Two
of their steamers ran into a slough in
the neighborhood, and succeeded in COW
ering their landing The enemy con-
tinued the attack until about dark, when
they withdrew,
A little after four o'clock the ammu-
milton of our squadron getting short, an
application was made for supply to the
upper battery, but the commanding Off.
Ger could spare only about ten charges.
As it was essential that ammunition
should be had, and as there was no more
to be obtained from the batteries, a steam
er was sent to the upper batteries with a
dispatch to the officer in command inform
ing him that the feet was without ammu-
milton, and that it would repair to Eliza,
beth city-thirty miles distant-for the
purpose of obtaining supply, and that
it would return without delay. Previous
to leaving, information was received by
the feet from Capt. Taylor, of the navy,
who had been at Pork Point battery du-
ring the day, that they only had one
killed and three wounded, and there was
every reason to believe that they would
be able to hold out if the rear Of the
batteries was not turned.
The fleet reached Elizabeth City on
Saturday morning, and finding very lit
tie ammunition there, sent an express to
Norfolk for it. On Saturday afternoon,
having put all the ammunition and fuel
which could be obtained on board the
Sea Bird and Appomattox, these two
steamers were sent forward to Roanoke
Island. On arriving at the mouth Of the
river they met boat, and learned from
it that the island had been surrendered,
and shortly afterward discovered five of
the enemy's gunboats standing for Pas
quotank river. They returned immedi-
ately to the battery at Cobb's Point, about
mile and a half below Elizabeth City,
and, after sending an express to General
Henningsen, distributed all the ammu-
milton among four steamers and a schoon-
or, and formed line Just above the bat
terry. A company had been detailed the
day previous for duty at this battery, and
the object Of the feet was to cooperate
with them
Shortly after daylight the enemy ap-
peared in sight, anda messenger was 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 crew of the Beaufort were sent ashore
to man two of the guns---these being as
many as they had ammunition to supply
The Beaufort was sent to the mouth of
the canal, where the Raleigh had been
previously sent
Instructions were given by the Com
modore to the commanding officers of all
vessels that, when all means of resistance
failed, and they found themselves unable
to escape, they should run into shoal wa
ter, set them on fire and save their crews
The action commenced at forty-fve
minutes past seven in the morning, and
resulted in the enemy passing the battery
andoverwhelming the Sea Bird and Alice
The last mentioned vessels were the
only ones known to have fallen into the
hands of the enemy. The Fanny was
burned by her commander, and the APP
pomattox is believed to have escaped up
the river. The Forrest was on the ways
at Elizabeth City, repairing damages,
and if the information we received yes
terday be correct, she too was burned to
to prevent her falling into the hands
Of the enemy As far as known there
were only six killed and three wound
ed among the entire naval force which
we had in the action.
We omitted TO mention that the guns
at Cobb's battery were all spiked before
being possessed by the enemy.
coNFEDERATEs KILLED AND WOUNDED
The Norfolk Day Book says: Our to.
tal loss during the battle of Roanoke
Island was eight killed and 80 wound
ed. There were $500 prisoners of ours
taken by the Fedorals, who are to be pa
rolled for exchange Immediately, and will
return from Roanoak Island The Fed
erals confess TO loss of three hundred
killed, among them two Of their princi-
pal Colonels and other prominent off.
GERS, and one thousand wounded.
HEALTH OF THE PoPE. The following
letter from Rome, of the 25th ultmo,
contains the particulars Of the Pope's late
illness