The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-21


when bis command retreated with the others
to the upper part OF the island, where they
laid down their arms.
Elizabeth City was about half burned
by rebel soldiers.
People sent off deputation to COmmo.
dore Goldsoorougb, asking him to send a
force to assist in extinguishing he flames.
Edenton was taken possession of on
"Wednesday by Commodore Goldsborough,
no opposition being offered.
Norfolk and Richmond papers attribute
the loss of Roanoke Island to the blunder-
ing ineficiency of the navy.
They still persist 10 asserting that 1000
federals were killed. They also charged
some Roanoke Island farmer with deserving
and plotting the Yankees to the only point
they could effect a landing the landing
being fanked on all sides by an extensive
marsh.
GOLDSBOROUGH.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IA special mes
senger arrived this morning, bringing the
following dispatches
US. FLAG STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
OFF ROANOKE ISLAND, Feb. 8.
Roanoke Island is ours.
The military authorities struck to US yes
terday. Their means of defence were truly
formidable and were used with a determin-
alton worthy of Letter cause.
They consisted of two elaborately con-
structed works, mounting together twenty
two heavy guns, three of them being one
hundred Founders, rjfed; four other batter
les, mounting together twenty guns, a large
proportion oil them being OF large calibre
and some of them ri6ed; eight steamers,
mounting two guns each and each having o
rified gun with diameter of 32.pounder.
A prolonged obstruction of sunken yes
sells to thwart our advance, and altogether
body of men numbering scarcely less
than five thousand. of whom three thousand
ore now our prisoners. The fighting COM
menced on the morning of the 18th about
IL o'clock, and was continued until dark
The following morning it was resumed at
an early hour, and it lasted until late this
afternoon, when by bold charge of our ar
my the rebel flag was made to succomb,
and our own was hoisted every where on the
Island 10 its place.
No attack could have been more COM
pletely executed, and it was carried out
precisely in accordance with the arrange
meats made before the Expedition left Cape
Hatteras Inlet.
(signed) JIM. GOLDsBOROH,
Flag officer.
SECOND DISPATCH.
Just as l closed my dispatch of yester.
day, received reliable information that the
rebel steamers which escaped had gone to
Elizabeth City, and thereupon immediate
~ ordered Commander Rowan to take ID
of cur steamers under his command, and
60 10 pursuit OF them, and also, if practica
BILE, to execute another service, namely, the
destruction of North River, a link Of the
AIbermarle and Chesapeake Canal.
The way be has already accomplished the
first part of it, his own preliminary report,
a copy of which l herewith enclose, will
inform you.
j. NJ. GOLDsBOROUGH.
COMMANDER ROWsN'S OFFICIAL RE.
PORT.
u. s. STEAMER DELAWARE,
OFF ELlzABETH CITY, Feb. 10, 1862.
SIR: have to report that / have met
the enemy off this place this morning, at 9
O'Clock, and after very sharp engagement
have succeeded 10 destroying or capturing
lis entire aaval force, and silenced and de,
stroyed his battery On Cobb's Peint. The
only vessel saved from destruction is the
Ellis, Captain j. N. Cook, who is wounded
and a prisoner on board the ship. have
other prisoners.
am happy to say that cur casualties are
few considering the warmth OF the enemy's
fire-say two or three killed and some
wounded.
The conduct of the gallant men l have
the honor to command is worthy of all
praise.
None OF our vessels are severely in.
jured.
l shall leave here small force, and visit
the canals, and take look into the other
places before return.
[signedl j. G. ROWAN, U. s. N.
No official report, but merely a private
letter, up to one o'clock to-day, has been
received from General Burnside.
FURTHER IMPORTANT PARTICULARS.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. l4.-The Emguir-
en- has u special dispatch about BurDsides
Expedition, saying that the enemy were
pursued for several hours, and that two
complete regiments on their way to rein
force the fort were captured.
Every road was lined with guns, KNAPP
sacks and clothing of the wounded dead and
dying.
Gov. Wise's son was shot through both
legs and the lungs, and died the following
day. Acting Brigadier General Hill and
Coils. Shaw, Gordon and Green we're cap
tured with large number Of subordinate
officers.
The Federal gun boat Commodore Per-
~ run down the rebel flag ship Sea Bird,
having on board Commodore Lynch, cutting
her apart. Our men boarded her.
During the encounter which eDsued, por.
ton OF bier officers aud crew jumped over
board, and others had their brains knocked
out with handspikes. a
LArER.-Rehel accounts say that Com,
nodore Lynch has not yet been heard from
lie was probably drowned during the 6ght
The Assistant Secretary oil the Navy,
FOX, has also received private letter in
ha