Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-02-19
The Battle of Roanoke Island

We had barely. time to give 4 brief dis
patch in last weeks paper, reporting that
our troops had whipped the rebels at
Roanoke Island, Subsequent news con-
firms the victory and furnishes interest
ing details. The Island is on the Allan
tic coast of North Carolina, and lies be-
tween Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds
1t IS an important position, and its cap
ture opens the way for almost uninterrup-
ted advances into the interior. Subjoin-
ed is the official account of the fight, and
other interesting items pertaining to it:
WASHINGTON, Feb. II.
A special messenger arrived this morn
ing, bringing the following dispatches
q. S. FLAG STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Off Roanoke Island, Feb. 9
Roanoke Island is ours. The military
authority struck to US yesterday. Their
means of defence were truly formidable,
and they were used with a determination
worthy Of q better cause. They consisted
of two deliberately constructed works,
mounting together twenty-five heavy
guns, three of them being N0-pounders,
rihed four other batteries, mounting to-
gether twenty guns, a large proportion Of
them being Of heavy caibre, and some of
them rifed eight steamers, mounting
two gum each, having a rifed gun with
a diameter of a 32-pounder a prolonged
obstruction of sunken vessels an6- piles to
thwart our advance; and altogether a
body of men numbering something less
H., Go 4L1-,ea,,l af rhn~o +hraa fhnr1-
sand are now our prisoners.
The fighting commenced on the morn
ing of the It'll, about IL o'clock, and was
continued until dark. The following
morning it was opened at an early hour
and it lasted until late in the afternoon,
when by a bold charge of n army the
rebel flag was made to succumb and u
own was hoisted everywhere on the Island
in its place. No attack could have been
more completely executed, and it was
carried out precisely in accordance with
the arrangements made before the Expe-
dition left Cape Hatteras Inlet
(Siqnedl J. NJ. GOLDSBOR0.
Flag Officer.
SECOND
Just as l closed my dispatch of yester-
day l received reliable information that
the rebel steamers which escaped had
gone to Elizabeth City, thereupon l i'm
mediately ordered Com. Rowan to take
Is of our steamers under his command
and go in pursuit of them and also, if
possible, 10 execute another service,
namely, the destruction of the North Riv-
er, a link of the Albemarle and Ches-
apeake canals. The way he has already
accomplished the first part of it, his own
proclamation report, q copy of which l
herewith enclose, will inform you. l
am, &C., J. NJ. GOLDSBORO.
U. s. STEAMER DELAWARE,
OFF ELIZABETH CRY, Feb. 10.
Sir: I have met the enemy off this
place this morning at 9 o'clock, and, after
a very sharp engagement, have succeeded
in destroying or capturing his entire ma
val force, and silencing and destroying
his battery on Cobb's Point. The only
vessel saved from destrucriU2 is the Ellis.
Capt. J. NJ. Cook, who was wounded, ia
prisoner on board this ship. have other
prisoners. l am happy to say that our
casualties are few considering the warmth
of the enemy's fire; say two or three kill
ed and some wounded. The conduct of
the gallant men I have the honor to COM
AldHQ, ID NOINA1 u al P-dASC. VI VI
our vessels are severely injured. l shall
leave here a small force and visit the ca
mails and take q look into the other places
before I return.
I have the honor, &C..
j. C. ROWAN, U. S. n.
No official report, but merely a private
letter, I'D 10 one o'clock to-day has been
received from Gen. Burnside.
Additional news from the expedition
say the enemy were pursued for several
hours, and that two complete regiments
on their way to reinforce the fort were
captured. Every road was lined with the
guns, knpasacks, and clothing Of the
wounded, dead and dying.
Gov. Wise's son was shot through both
legs and the lungs. He died the follow
ing day. Acting Brig Gen. Hill, and Coils.
Shaw. Gordon and Green were captured,
with a large number Of subordinate Off
GERS.
The Federal gunboat Commodore Per-
~ ran down the rebel flag ship Sea Bird,
having on board Commodore Lynch, cut
ting her apart. Our men boarded her
During the encounter that enpSued poT-
ton Of the officers and crew jumped over
board, and others had their brains knock
cd out with handspikes.
Later rebel accounts state that Commo-
dore Lynch has not yet been heard from.
He was probably drowned during the
fight.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Fox,
has also received a private letter in which
it is stated that the number of killed OF
our navy is about 20, and of the army
obouf 40