New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-05
Charge of the ZxawAins Zouaves.
LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED.
Correspondence OF The N. Y. Tribune.

A short lime since your correspondent "ass''s
understand that reconnaissance IN iorce "o''u "
made in the vicinity of Norfolk by portion Vi 'N'
Burnside expedition.
Iesriuc That the enemy had brigade oil their
bas, men slstioped at Elizabeth City, it was evident
10 me that an engagement with the enemy Wouia
tale rlace between Elizabeth City and Norfolk.
When last at Elizabeth City, l learned that the
Rebel force was composed Of the Georgia sd volun-
teers a regiment of North Carolina volunteers,
regiment of Louisiana Wild Cats, regiment
of Virginia cavalry, two batteries from Louisiana,
OF go men cach few companies Of militia, amount
inc to little over 5000 men altogether.
All of this force had been called 10 Yorktown and
Norfolk, aud part, learu left for those places on
the 18th inst. The remainder were to leave on the
2si inst which the day thai the Georgia 81 eX-
peced 10 be mustered out Of service, their time
for which they enlisted expired On that day; but to
their ,s,onishment, they were informed that the
Rebel Congress bad decided that no more regiments
were 10 be mustered out Of service until the war Was
over. AS you may imagine, this sweeping impress
1neut was.not relisned the least by this regiment,
winch is one of the best Georgia has in the field.
Gen. Reno who was designated to take command
OF this expe.i,ion left Newbern on the morning Ct
Tie 18th last, with two regiments Of bis brigade, the
9ls Massachusetts, Lieut. Col Clark, and 5lst Penn
sylvsnia, Col. Hartunft, which embarked on the
army trarsrorts Nortberner, Admiral, Plot Boy,
and Ocean Wave, for Roanoke Isl5nd, in convoy Of
tie fac chip Philadelphia, Commodore Rowan, and
The war steamers Delaware, Lieut.. -COmmand'ng ).
j. Quack.nbush, and the Picket, Capt. Ives. ar
irving a. Roanoke lSan0 on the evening OF the iIn,
distance OF 10 miles, where they anchored un'l
morning.
EARLY on the morning of the 18Th, Com Rowan
ana staii, together with Gen. Reno and stall, went
on shore and paid visit to Col. Hawkins, Acting
Brigadier General, In command OF the forces on
Roanoke Island, who was to join the expedition wit
thee regiments Of his brigade, the 9th and S5th New
York and 9Th ew-Hampebre. After q brief con-
sultation il was decided TO embark Col. Hawkins 4
three regiments as soon as possible, and get under
way so as TO reach tie mouth Of the PasQoutank K
River on which Elizabeth City is situated. before
dark. Tue feet then to move up the river and
land TIE troops some three miles this side OF Eliza
beth City, at midnight, when part OF the force WAS
to push on rapidly, by circmtOus route, and take
Possession OF the cahal bridge, some twenty miles
this side of Norfolk, for the purpose of cutting OH
the retreat of the Rebel force left at Elizabeth City
some 800 strong
Col. Hawkius with hi. three regiments wac de-
tailed to perform this work, leaving Gen. Reno with
regiments to bring up the order that
might get the enemy bet 1een forces, when Gen.
Reno anticipated no difficulty in making prisoners Of
them all.
Col. Howard of the Marine Artillery, and COM
mander Of the steamer Virginia, was also in
cluded in the expedition, with battery of light field
pieces.
Cob Hawkins's force embarked on the Phenix,
Capt Ashcroft Massasoit, Capt. Clark Philadelphia,
and Ocean Wave.
All was in read ness by 10 O'Clock, a. H., W hen the
teet let the island and proceeded slowly to the
point where the troops were to be landed, which
JOB was to be completed between II and o'clock,
before the moon rose, aud as quietly as possible.
When we arrived at our destination 1t was about
IA 80
eary TOR all practical purposes. Preparations wer
made to land the force expeditiousy r.
possible. The bockadng squadron at Eiizab Il
Civ were in readiness TO render all assistance il
their power TO Gen. Reno. They rendered all thei
launches and small boats, and tie services Of thei
officers aud crews to asest in the landing Of tb
troops, which consumed much more time than wa
a first Anticipated.
Col. Hawkins three regiments ell landed
however and on the march, by 2 o'clock leaving
Gen. Reno to land his two regiments, the army
wagons, four in number, together with the horse,
belonging TO the same, and the field pieces, tediou
Job, wJieh Was not completed until daylight.
II a beautiful aud imposing sight 10 witne "a
the landing OF these troops by moonlight, will
horses, wagons, field pieces DC. Some raiis anC
slme in snall boats. Some of them wading even
Gle ,fuliy through the water III their anxiety tc
reach the shore tfot.
lad it lot been for the valuable assistance rem
dcIed by the qua oats in landing, Gen. Reno would
have teen delay ed many hours sDger. He expressed
himself under many o,liga ions 10 the officers and
Iuen oil the eutire navy feet at Elizabeth City, many
OF whom plunged into the wafer, and worked like
heroes until everything landed and the force on
the march. Among thOe boats most efficient III this
good WORK were the Perry, Delaware, Lockwood
Piket. Sou hiield, Stars aud Stripes, Underwater
Putnam, Ceres. Shawsheen and Whitehead
By o'clock the morning of he 18th Reno'l
column was in motion. So quietly bad the landIng
OF Tue troops been effected that alarm whais ver
was given by the enemys pickets, four Of whom
were iouud asleep not more than fifty rods from our
place Of debarkatIon. IL is also evident that the
Rebel troops at Elizabeth City, toree miles from the
landing, knew nothing OF oar approach or operations
during the night, FOR they la their camp, near
tie city, when 9unboats went and shelled them
out at daylight
When gunboas moved up TO the city, and let
fly their shells into the camp o the sleeping Rebels,
they were greatly surprised at such uncerenOni-
call eary IN TIE morning, and in great confn-
slon they started for Norfolk, with General Reno at
their heels in close p rsuit.
Before proceeding further, must not forget TO
neuIon that much credit Is due TO G.. III. Eusser Of
the Commodore Perry, commanding the squadron at
Elizabeth City, for planning this affair. No naval
officer on this mas given the ke bells more hard
kao ks and greater frlghts than tins brave aud eff
Cient officer, VINO is terror TO the whole Sonthern
conspiracy. Soon after daylight, Gen. Reno in
close pursuit OF the enemy, with the 2ls Massachu
sets 5st Pennsy lvania, and Col Harrard Battery.
IL was a lovely morning; the birds were singing
and skipping from one green bough 10 another, az ii
attracted by our beautiful coOrs. The roads were
ia good condition. which enabled our troops TO get
raiidly over the ground. Ihe people along the
route knew nothing of our coming until we were
passing their doors, when OF course it was too late
Tor them 70 yet up fright.
Inc ohlon sentiment was openly manifested by
the iohaoitants all along the route. At house
the inmates We're 30 oyerJoyed at our coming as 10