Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-02-27

i'll of pleuro-pneumonia, at Nag's Head
1t was now two O'Clock P. NJ, an
the brigade halted for half an hour I
obtain refreshments. They then star
ted in the track of the rebel retreatin
army, which had taken the road {
Camp Georgia. 81 miles distant. Com
pany E, Twenty-First Massachusetts,
was thrown forward as an advsnc
guard, and when within three.quarter
of mile Of the rebel camp, they cam
suddenly upon a party of skirmishers
who fred upon them out of a wood
Forty men had been thrown out a
skirmishers but no one was hit. Thei
fire was returned. which killed three o
the rebels, and wounded as many 9th
ers. A halt was ordered, and tht
Union men were ordered to fix bayo
nets, preparatory TO q charge. Soor
after person was observed advancing
with a white handkerchief upon the
end Of his sword. He proved to be
Lieut. Col. Poor, who asked to see the
commander of the Union forces
Lieut.. Hovey then conducted him be.
fore Gen. Foster, when the following
conversation ensued: is5 fr @
Col. Poor--Are you the Commsn-
der Of the Union forces? ...-..--
Gen. Foster--Yes, sir.
Col. Poor--I came, sir, to ask what
terms OF capitulation you will grant
our army. g ssl. ..
Gen. Foster--None whatever, sir
Nothing but an immediate and uncon-
ditional surrender.
Col. Poor then received permission
to go and consult Col. Shaw, who soon
after appeared, and made a surrender
of all the troops under his command.
Gen. Reno soon afterward arrived, and
took possession of the rebel camp, sta
tioning the 91st Massachusetts, who
were drawn up in front of the barracks.
THE ELIZABETH CITY EXPEDITION.
After the great victory of Roanoke
Island, and as soon as suitable prepara-
tions could be made. portion of the
feet proceeded to Elizsbeth City, for
the purpose of capturing the Rebel Ma
Wy, which, it was said, had made
stand at that point, with the intention of
resisting our force to the last. Orders
were also given to burn what steamers
the rebels we're building at that place,
but not to destroy or molest any other
property belonging to the citizens.
The expedition, in command of Capt.
S. G. Rowan, left Roanoke Island on
at O'Clock P. NJ.
The distance to Elizabeth City from
Roanoke Island is some thirty FIVE or
forty miles.
We came in sight of Elizabeth City
about three O'Clock, and, as we ap-
preached. we discovered the enemy's
steamers--seven in number-in line of
battle in front of the city, ready to re-
ceive us. A fort was also discovered
on a point which projected out some
considerable distance-one fourth of a
mile, perhaps-in front of the rebel
line of steamers; and directly opposite
of this fort was schooner, anchored,
on which we're two heavy rife guns;
the distance between the fort and this
schooner being about half mile. Four
large guns were mounted on the fort,
and it was thought by the rebels that
no feet of ours could pass this narrow
channel; consequently they considered
themselves safe, with the assistance of
their navy, drawn up between the city
and fort. -r..-- ..-.
At the sight Of the enemy, every
thing was in readiness for battle. To
describe the wild delight of our brave
blue-jackets. when they first discovered
the enemy, is more than pen can do.
The charge was short and desperate,
and without any exception is one Of the
most brilliant ever made by the Ameri-
can Navy. All eyes were on the Com
mander, Rowan, to see what the first
order would be. as we were rapidly ap-
prosching the foe. r. rrr
In due time he ran up the signal TO
engage the enemy in close action hand
to hand. We were then about two miles
from the enemy. This was a signal for
a test of speed as well as the signal for
a deadly encounter with desperate foe,
whose all was staked upon this final en-
gagement. For distance of two miles
it was race between our steamers in
their eagerness TO outstrip each other,
and to be first to meet the enemy Of the
Republic face to face. r-r--
The river began TO narrow as we ap-
preached the city. The point where
the fort was situated necessarily brought
our steamers nearer together, making
them sure marks for the enemy's guns;
indeed, j. would be a miracle il shot
from one OF the enemy's guns did not
strike some one of our steamers. Un-
der the circumstances, most any other
would have thought it ad-
visable 10 first attack the fort and silence
the guns on both sides OF that narrow
point, and then attack the rebel steam
ers; but not so with the brave and in
trepid Rowan, whose motto Is to charge
bayonets on the enemy whenever and
wherever be may be found. in action
the position of the commanders ship is
in the center of the squadron. The
Delaware, Capt. Rowsn's flagship,
was at the head of the advancing col
umn. and led the van, No attention
was paid TO the fort or armed schooner,
as they dashed by them through aper-