Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-14
From the Richmond Dispatch, Feb. II.
THE DISASTER AT ROANOKE ISLAND.

THE DISASTER AT ROANOKE ISLAND.
The exciting occurrence at Roanoke island,
resulting in reverse to our arms, was the
theme of conversation yesterday in the city,
TO the exclusion of almost every other topic.
The fact that some Of our Richmond compa.
MES were engaged in the fight, occasioned an
intense and painful anxiety particularly among
those who had friends or relatives aliong them,
which could not be well concealed 1t is but
a short period since the Wise Legion, after an
arduUuo and toilsome campaign in Western
virginia, lett here for the coast of North Caro-
lima, and though now defeated in one OF the
most desperate conflicts of the war; it is at
least consoling to know that the men fought
with determined bravery, against overwhelm
ing odds, and won for themselves the proud
appellation of heroes, of which their present
situation cannot deprive them. The Light
Infantry Blues company A, of the LEGION
date their organization as far back as
the year 1898, and number among their
honorary members many of our oldest and
most venerated citizens The history of the
company is so well known that we need not
repeat it here. Capt. o. Jennings Wise was
elected commander short time before the
war broke out, and the corps was one of the
first to respond to the call of the country
Capt. Wise is reported badly wounded, and
Lieuts. Fred. Carter and Charles p. Bigger are
! taken prisoners, with, it is presumed, major
lty of the men. The jackson Guard and the
Light Guard, both attached to the legion,
were enlisted here after the commencement of
the war. Capt. Hiram b. Dickinson, of the
former, and Capt. Gus. Wallace, of the latter,
reported captured by the enemy, are well
known citizens OF Richmond. Lieut.. Miller of
the Jackson Guard is said to be MORALLY
wounded Major Hugh w. Frye, who is
among the prisoners has many friends here,
who regret his misfortune, but who are proud
to believeEthat he sustained himself calamity
in the fight, and the same remark applies to
Frank Johnston of the Blues, as brave
young man as ever shouldered a musket.
Personally we regret the loss of our accom-
plished correspondent Bohemian" whose
letters from the Potomac and other points have
for some time past adorned the columns of this
paper. DIR. Shepardson is well known
throughout the south, and in his captivity
(which we trust will be brief he has the SYM
pathy OF vast number of friends.
From the sRchmond Examiner.
NORFOLK, Feb. 10, 1862.-After the close of
my dispatch yesterday evening, much excite
ment was produced by reports to the effect
that our forces at Roanoke Island had been
totally defeated, two thousand being made
prisoners, and quite as many hundred killed !;
that the unionists had out generated our com.
hi"hNNAo " bNSCAFluS lilSll iulU lllG SUPPOSE
ton that their whole force would be concen-
trated in the attack at the marsh end of the
island, when they had perfected plans to make
landing at four different points
The facts seemed to be that on Thursday
last tas telegraphed), fifty five vessels of the
| Burnside expedition appeared off Roanoke
Island, and on Friday, at 10 o'clock, opened a
hot fire against our batteries. This attack
was met with much GOODNESS and deliberation
| by our forces, and continued without cessation
until night, the federas twice essaying to eff
feet landing, and being as often calamity re.
| pulsed. These occurrences greatly stimulated
both our naval and land forces, but during
Friday night the enemy were permitted to
land quite 5000 troops at Baum's Point a
short distance below the upper confederate
| battery.
Opinion here is, that such seeming advan
tage 10 the enemy could easily have been pre-
vented, but as justifying the step, we'll inform.
ed persons assert that our advantages were
such, in point of position, as to make one hun
dred southTons equal TO one thousand Yam.
KEGS. AT any rate, il was in this belief that
the foothold was allowed. In response to these
plans, at dawn on Saturday morning our forces
commenced firing as they advanced up
causeway through the marsh to the main
land. The fire was most CALLING, and the en-
envy suffered heavily, while our own losse,
were inconsiderabe. But the landing ruse, i
was soon seen, had been successful they ap
peared on the south side of the island in boats
and, by the aid OF howtzers, made landing il
rear of our batteries to the number of fifteer
thousand.
A forward movement was then made from
various points, and, by flank movement, they
at once became masters of the position. Oul
loss in killed and wounded is variously esti
mated at from 800 to 400-that Of the enemy
at 1000 to 1900 The confederates fought will
desperation. Only about 50 confederates ap
pear to have escaped from the island-thC
remainder OF tile 2lO0 reported to have beer
taken prisoners, or among the killed aud
wounded
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