Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-02-26

THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION.
Particulars of the Fight at Roanoke
Island.

Island.
The battle was commenced on Frlda
the 9TH OF February, by the Federal gun
boats attacking Confederate battery a
u place called Pork Point" 1t consist
oil five guns, and successfully maintainet
itself throughout the day until dusk, whel
firing ceased on both sides. On Saturda,
tie attack was renewed by the Fedora
qua boats, and The fertilization was great,
weakened at an early hour. The conteS
gradually grew more vigorous.
The Ninth New York Zouaves, afte
some time, made landing, when they
charged upon the work with determined
vigor, encountering the Richmond Blue:
as they advanced, engaging them as they
approached at the point of the bayonet
Dispensing this company, after severe
struggle, they pushed forward and succeed,
ed in capturing the battery.
The Federal gunboats at this juncture
moved gradually up the Powhattan Sound,
until nearly opposite Fort Barto, where
they found quite a formidable obstruction
in the Oh nnel, placed there by the Con-
iederates 1t was in the chara- ter OF a
chevaux de frise, formed of piles, logs
brushwood, trees, which had etfectually
closed the channel With indomitable
energy the Federal soldiers and boats
went to work in removing this obstruction,
which, after a short time, they succeeded
in doing, so that their boats were enabled
TO get through. This accomplished, it
was not long until they engaged Fort Bar
to, pouring into it a perfect shower of shot
and shells. Whilst this was going on they
also attacked the Confederate feet at the
same time, which was under command of
Commodore Lynch.
The contest was quite spirited. The
result was a scattering and demolition OF
the Confederate gunbOats. An immense
shell from the Union gunboat Southteld,
by gun aimed by Lieutenant
Tilliston, (the Union post-gun,) struck
the flag ship of the Confederate mosquito
passing through her engine
room and magazine, penetrating also
through the bottom of the vessel, and ex-
ploding underneath in the water. A mo-
ment afaerward. scarcely Testise Of the
ship could be seen. She was literally
to atoms, and it is supposed all
on board had persisted. If Commodore
Lynch was on board at the time, he must
either nave been instantly killed or drown
ed, though some believe he had made his
way to shore previous to the disaster
Fragments of the vessel lay pieeemeal all
round, and many bodies hoated upon the
water, whilst others seemed to be swim
ming toward land.
The Federal gunboat Tempest now
steamed up to the Confederate gunboat
Ellis, striking her with her boom aport
quarter, doing great injury to the latter.
Being thus almost transfxed, the soldiers
and others on board the Union gunboat
rushed on the deck of their enemy, armed
with cutlasses, handspikes, short swords,
md other weapons, under command of
heir officers. Here a desperate conflict
which ended in victory to the
Federals. 1t Is described as terrible
scene. Men were knocked down on the
Confederate vessel, and their brains lay
scattered on deck. Many jumped over
board and were drowned, while few are
to have swan ashore. The boat
was finally captured, with what Confeder-
ates were left alive.
A Federal gunboat gave chase to the
Fanny, Confederate gunboat, form
srly captured from the United States.-
Ending herself to hotly pursued, the pos
essors set her on fire, and jumped over /
BOARD to make shore, which, it is thought,
ONE succeeded in doing, while others
we're drowned.
The fight on the Island was desperate
whilst 1t lasted, but of short DURATION
After carrying the battery at Pork
Point" the advance. of General Fosters
,rigade made up the main road to the cen
er of the island.
Proceeding thus, the General deployed
regiment as an advance guard, and after
marching over very bad roads for two or
hree miles, they suddenly came face to
ace wioh brigade of North Carolinians.
he remainder of the Federal brigade now
anne up, when the contending parties
Tere within rife range. The North Car
Iinians delivered volley, which the Fed
raj troops took with the loss of only one
illed and ten or twelve wounded. The I
it appears, aimed too high,
therwise the result must have proved I
lore destructive. The Federal troops '
ere next ordered to fire, which they are !
spresented to have done with much cool
ess. This resulted in killing ten Con-
.derates and wounding some twenty or
lirty more.
A cessation of hostilities now took place,
; if by general impulse, when suddenly
Confederate staff officer appeared on
le right, bearing flag of truce. He rode |.
D and delivered it to General Foster, who
uckly run over its contents. The bearer
this flag inquired of General Foster if s
: would allow his commander twenty {
ur hours to consider terms of surrender. '
eneral Foster quickly replied: No
othing but an unconditional surrender /
II satisfy my Government, and / give I
u fifteen minutes, after you have ar
Ted within your lines, to say definitely :
ID positively, what you will do" U
A short time subsequently the same "
'nfederate officer returned, bearing n
lg of truce, and informed Gen. Foster 5
at his commander was ready to surren- d
II unconditionally. Without further V
remonies the Cohfederates advanced and n
'lIvered up their arms, and became pris- W
lers of war. 1t was with difficulty that Il
ptains and officers of equal rank in the
.deral brigade conld be found to receive Il
e swords of their captives. This Con- q
oerate brigade, it appears, had been Il
lrching toward Pork Point Battery to al
-inforce it, which they did not know d
d been attacked and reduced. fc
Gen. Foster toen marched on with his n
igade, and soon came to an open space, "
mprisirg some twenty or more fine 1
ms. In the center of this he deserted z
superior camping ground, laid out and I
ected by the enemy, of sufficient capac-
to accommodate twenty thousand
,ops, with huts and cabins enough for a
n.thousand soldiers. At the end of each Y
enue had been dug wells, which con- e.