The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-02-19
additional Particulars of the Roanoke Fight
Operations Of our Fleet.
Tah


From gentleman who part cirated in the
late action of our little fleet under Com.
Lynch, CLEAN some interesting par ticulars,
which h asten to spread before your readers.
The point to which tho enemy m ainly direct
cd his fire was near the South end Of the
island, where the Sound is about three ana
three. quarter miles wide. A row Of piles
had been driven and extended Within three
quarters OF a mile of Roanoke Island and
about one mile and q half Of Uroatan which il
opposite. On Thursday, about daylight, q
large feet OF vessels was seen below Roanoke
marshes, about ten miles to the Sou n Of the
island, where It remained all day, owing to
the very heavy fog and rain which prevailed.
Friday, tho weather being clear the fleet,
drawn up In line Of battle, advanced, and at
precisely 10 Is A. Nd. opened fire on the little
squadron under Com. Lynch, which had been
drawn up on the Northern side OF the piles
to receive them. When about Is minutes
after <the action commenced, the enemy
having obtained our range, we hove up our
anchors and retired slowly until within q
quarter or half q m lie from the piles, con .
SANITY firing, and followed by the enemy g
forward, driving them from the piles. ar d
holding them at bay until about o'clock
They then advanced, and in a few minute g
the Curiew received shot through her h oil,
which soon placed her in a sinking condi-
ton. About this time, also, 1T was dis covered
that the whesman's arm had been BROKEN by
the fragment OF a shell. and the H. g-of1icsr
ordered her to repair closer in shore, where
she could not sink very far from the main
land. At about 2 O'Clock, Capt. Hoole, OF the
Forrest, was struck down, aud several of his
men wounded by the fragments OF a she'll
Soon after. the Forrest becoming disabled,
she. too, was forced to withdraw from the
night. The action lasted until night, the 70, +
con tinuing to fire with two guns Having
bat meagre supply Of ammunition, we de.
cided to reti1A tc Elizabeth City, obtain
and paf n n q q a G
About midnight we started. taking the For
rest and schooner Black Warrior in tow, aud
arrived at Eliz lbeth City on Saturday morn
tn1 where we awaited the return Of the Ra.
leigh. which had been sent to Norfolk to OBJ
tain ammunition. O0 Sunday the sea Bird
aud Powhatan we're sent down to reconnoitre,
and when short distance past ths mouth Of
the Pasquotank river, were met and chased
back to Elizabeth City by about twenty of
the enemy s gunbOats; bat night coming on,
we were prevented from being captured. On
Monasy morning, about sunrise, the enemy
was a gain seen advancing with thirteen shirs,
with three or tour mole coming up in the
rear. when within short gun range, the Ses.
Bird opened fire, followed by our other gun
boats The enemy replied briskly, al the same
time steadily advancing. Finding the Sea
Bird was the flagship of the squadron, the
enemy directed his fire chiefly against
her, and In short time three or four
we'll directed shots set her on fire and
reduced her to q sinking condition
BY this time the enemy had succeeded Ia
com pletely surrouu ding as. and the fig hit was
now kept up between the enemy's shipping
and the Sea Bird. Ellis, and Fanny, with
muskets and pistols. intsrspersed with few
discharges Of grape and canister, until our
boats were boarded and such OF their crews
a. remained overpowered by the 1wsrms Of
Lincoln's hordes that crowded upon them ON
fectiv We men, and the steam er that boarded her
mad about one hundred and forty. The amy
being very close In shore, succeeded in saving
crew OF the Ellie; the Sea Bird being farther
ont in the stream and near the en- emy's ship
ing. were less inmate, and were all cap
tursd The Powhatan, Yatio, did good
service; bat being Will ont In the channel,
The Fanny was set on a 70 by her crew when
leaving her, and burned to the waters edge.
The Ellis was captured, sustaining but little
damage. Captain Cooke fought desperately,
and received severe wound on the skull.
which we fear will terminate fatally. HIS
vessel was boarded by an ovsrpowering
number OF the enemy. The ofncers captured
Peters, j. Hanks. J. J. Henderson, James
W. NcCarrick, b. w. @. Livingston. and Mr.,
Wombslsy-ths Arst and last named OF the
Ellie, and the rest Of the Sea Bird. Drs Green
being attached 70 the Sea Bird. As TAR az as.
certainsd. only three Were wounded in the
light at Roanoke Island, viz: Nastsr TX mig
Hoole. skull fractured; 0idshipman Conner,
lew, - before stated. arm broken.
In the second dght. the killed ON our Sids
amounted % dve-tAreo On board tbs baa Bird
and txo On The Ellis. Six OF sven were -
ssip1ss yscsso.. Mooiy ala tais yoans man man
,psf1ofm Ais allottsd part In the sngassnsnt;
aud when the order q escape was given. he
jnmj6sd oyerSpssd and was m Aktng his way
& Il e f1on ss:c.. 70 q 1S,eS i g a, "a
H2kt 81 ~ etlmy Wero killed ana MANY