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


af stores, provisions, ornaments, &c.
were in this fortress. 1t affords very com
Portable quarters.
On Sunday, the following day, the bri
gade continued its march to the furthest
point of the island lying north. During
this movement three squads of Confeder
ates were picked up struggling about
through the woods and fields. Now ano
then company of the enemy on picket
duty was surprised and captured. A
masked battery, mounting two guns and
howitzer, were captured in this march
1t opened hriskly, but fired two high and
did no. harm. An assault was made i'm
mediately upon it, and it was finally ta-
ken at the point of bayonet, though only
few withstood the final assault, seeing
they were overpowered. This capture
was made by the Twenty-fourth Massa-
chusetts regiment.
The reconnaissance of the Island, in a
military point of view, was now nearly
finished, but when the steamer Stars and
Stripes left on Wednesday morning, num-
bers of struggling Confederates were being
brought in from the swamps and else
where. Many had flown to the woods,
who were also being pursued. Some were
found in bog pits, where they had sunk
nearly to their waists, and extricated
Thus far when the steamer left as near
as could be ascertained, about twenty
eight hundred prisoners had fallen into
the hands of the Federals, and it was be-
Heved the number would be increased to
something over three thousand, probably
four thousand when the entire island is
thoroughly searched. A good many are
believed to have been drowned in attempt
ing to make their escape, either by SWIM
ming or in small boats to the mainland.
! In this expedition Gen. Burnside has
captured the whole of Roanoke Island,
destroyed Commodore Lynch's Confeder-
ate feet, taking six batteries and COM
plete six-pounder field battery, making in
all sixty guns. also between seven and
eight thousand small arms. There were
nearly four thousand small arms, many of
them Enfield rifles, secured in the past
three months, in store and not used,
amongst the prizes. A vast number of
small arms, including pistols, swords. &C.
were likewise obtained; together with a
large quantity of provender. &c. Over sew
en- hundred horses, with baggage, baggage
wagons ambulanceS, camp equipage, &c,
were also taken.
None of the Federal gunboats were in
jured to any extent. Those most damag-
ed can be repaired in few hours.
The Federal loss is, as far as ascertained,
only % killed and SO wounded.
The Confederate loss isalso much small |
er than at first supposed from previous
accounts. 1t is so far known to be only |
20 killed and 90 wounded.
1t is believed that twelve to fifteen hun
dred of the Confederates are still upon |
the island, hid in the swamps, woods, |
bogs, &C., who can scarcely escape being
captured. 1t is well ascertained that very |
few of them, probably not more than one
to two hundred, got off the Island.
The Federal gunboats had effectually /
cut off all possibility of retreat from Nag's
Head
Col. o. Jennings Wise was shot through |
the leg just above the knee, and badly
wounded in the hip, when calamity urg-
ing his men (the Blues) on, at the head of
his command. When he fell wounded,
his troops retreated, carrying him with
them. Himself and some others were
placed in a canoe or batteau, and an effort
made to get them across to land, but be-
ing observed. by company of Zouaves,
they were ordered to come back. Refus-
ing to do so, the Zouaves fred. one of their
balls passing through Col: Wise's breast, /
causing mortal wound. Seeing resistance
useless, the Confederates in the boat re-
turned with him and delivered themselves
up. I
Colonel Wise was kindly taken care of,
and surgical aid Immediately procured for
him. He appeared calm, but suffered in
tense pain, though not seemingly conscious
his wound was fatal. He spoke in firm,
friendly tone to the surgeon and others /;
near by, asking if they would not allow I
him TO be sent home until his wounds re-
covered The surgeon seeing it impossi-
Die for him to live, replied, ''Yes, you can
have all you want" He rapidly grew
weak, and expired on the following morn {
ng. His body has been carefully attend {
I'd to, and viii be delivered to his friends [
IN call. Ii
Another fine looking young Confeder- Y
tie captain, whose name l could not learn,
vas found on the field mortally wounded {
bullet had struck him on the upper {
part of the forehead. He was lying with '
lis hands pressing upon the wound. As I
istance was rendered him, and he freely I
kind feelings toward those thus 7
soothing his Affections. Numerous pain a
ul and touching incidents are related of {
he wounded and dying, which were |
enough TO melt hearts of stone. i
Amongst the Federals killed is Colonel /
Russell, of the 2lst Massachusetts, who q
ell dead from his horse while leading his
nen in charge against the fort. l.
Lieut. Col Mentsil, of D'Epineuls Zou- a
ives. of New York, his regiment not be- b
n the engagement, was determined to t
Ight, and volunteering, went out alone f
nth musket. He fired a number of e
ounds, and being a CONSPICUOUS mark, re- v
eived a volley which brought him low in p
eath pierced with some twenty balls. p
Most of the Federal loss was of privates. Ii
he Twenty-first Massachusetts,, Ninth V
Few York, and Twenty-fourth Massachu- n
etts Regiments suffered most severely. a
1t is believed the immediate object of e
ZEN. Burnside is to possess points in North il
arolina where the railroads can be COM c.
handed. He considers Norfolk and Ports
louth now-with the advantages of hold II
lg Roanoke Island-entirely within his O.
ontrol W
The wounded of both armies are being d
lrefully attended to. te
Energetic efforts were making to dis c,
over and relieve all who may have been IL
ounded, and secreted themselves in the Ia
oods, marshes and swamps, where many
ad been found, brought into camp, and
leir wounds dressed by both the Federal
nd Confederate surgeons.
All indications show General Burnside
} be preparing for other active and i'm =,
ortant demonstrations. =: y