Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-07-23
DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
An Engagement on the Roanoke River
Capture of Hamilton
fConespondence Rev York Times

NEw BERN, N. c., July l5.-An engagement @
no little importance took place on the niosnip.
Of the 9th inst, on Roanoke river some si1t
miles from its mouth, between three OF our gun
boats-the Commodore Perry, Ceres, and shaw
sheen-and company OF Hawkins Zouave,, un
der Captain Hammell, on our side, and regi
ment Of rebel cavalry, imported bya stronI
force Of infantry and artillery, and q rebel for
which commanded the river.
The particulars are as follows: On the 9Th in
slant, Captain Flusser, Of the Commodore Perry
who is commanding officer Of the naval forces IN
Albemarle Sound, decided to make reconno;s
sance up the Roanoke as far as Hamilton wher,
be understood rebel steamer was anchored and
also that the enemy were erecting a fortihcss!or
and collecting large force, with the intention o.
resisting all approaches TO Weldon by the ri yer
After taking on board Capt HammelI's com.
pany Of Zouaves, which are stationed at PLY.
mouth, "a very important point at the mouth OF
the Roanoke, and also the headquarters OF IL,
naval force in the Albemarle Sound, the neet
proceeded up the river at a rapid rate, meeting
with no difficulties until they arrived al a poinI
some six miles above Williamston, where a bar.
ricade Of raru and piles were chained together
reaching transversely up and across the river
Just before the feet arrived at the barricade, a
deadly fire. from infantry In ambush, was opened
upon the Ceres, which was in advance, killing
one seaman, John II. Bridges, of Danvsu, Mass
and wounding several more. The Ceres imme.
diately responded with grape, which, with some
timely and welldirected shells from the Perry
and Shawsheen, soon dispersed the enemy with
heavy loss, who then pushed on TO the fort at
Hamilton to assist their comrades In resisting us
at that point.
On arriving at the barricade, Capt Flusser
proceeded at once 70 blow up and destroy the
distractions In his usual dashing way. II was
not long before he succeeded In cutting his way
through this ditiicult blockade, which was con-
sidered by the enemy quite al strong an the bar
ricade in the James River. On went the feet I'D
this narrow river, darkened BY dense forest on
each side, through continuous storm Of bullets
md from fhaf Inn Ia
ries which lined both banks Of the river on the
bluff commanding the approach TO Hamilton -
Hamilton is situated on an eminence, back some
distance from the river, and separated from this
important stream by thick growth Of heavy
timber, which sheltered the hidden foe, who
were raining down an incessant Ere upon our
gunboats, which were unable 20 elevate their
guns sufficiently 10 do all the execution they de-
sired. However, they continued 10 advance
when suddenly the rebel fort on the eminence,
which was concealed from view, opened a terri
fc fre on the approaching feet
In the thickest Of the hght, and when the result
large rebel steamer, loaded with rebel sharp
shooters, coming down upon our feet Sudden
ly she turned a short bend, and before the enemy
were aware Of the near approach OF our feet, she
Was In good musket range. Capt. Flusser and
all his men were In readiness for the new fee.
shell from the Ceres raked the decks Of the
Wilson-for that was the name Of the rebel craft
and bang again went hundred ormore Union
rife bullets among the sharpshooters on the rebel
steamer, who, being sstonished at the rapid ad
vance Of Flussefs feet, leaped from every side Of
the Wilson into the water, leaving their deserted
craft to drift Into our possession.
As soon an our fieet got beyond the enemy's
batteries, the Zouaves, under Captain hammell
wefe landed, with howitIer, and with fixed
lsayoneta commenced the advance on Hamilton
accompanied with q strong company from each Of
our gunboats, armed in the same manner making
four companies In all, who were ordered by Can
tain Plusser "to flank the rebel fort, and take
Hamilton" while the gunbosts were again 70 ad.