The National tribune., 1897-12-16

the capture Of Forts Hatteras and Clark, in
Hatteras Inlet, the entrance from sea to Al
bemarle and Pamlico Sounds After some
severe fighting under very adverse circum-
stances, Roanoke Island, New Berne, Eliza
beth City, Little Washington, Edenton, Ply
mouth and other places were captured, and
| the sounds and rivers held in undisputed
possession by the Union forces; at least, from
any except the Struggling bands of guerrillas,
who made frequent visits through this sec
ton of the country. -
| Plymouth, situated on the Roanoke River
about thirteen miles from where it empties
into Albemare Sound, became the Head
| quarters for both army and navy. Frequent
expeditions by the gunboats having a de-
tachment of soldiers On board, were made
between there and the many little towns in
which this section Of North Carolina abOnnds
| for the purpose of preventing the incur-ion of
guerrillas, who infested this section more
thal any other
This was from the fact that, owing to the
many rivers, they were less liable to capture
| by the soldiers and it gave them ample time
| oil the approach of our vessels 10 change from
| guerrlllas to farmers, a transformation they
| frequently INDUCED i'm i; and one would
hardly suppose that the tall, CANT Tar
| Heel" with the "child-like and bland "
| smile, working away with the most print
! tive Of agricultural implements, could so
| soon be turned into n character that was so
much to he feared as one void Of the small
est particle OF charity or mercy in his heart.
In the Spring of 1854, when the enemy
| commenced hostile demonstrations in the
| vicinity of Plymouth, the 10lst and 1O3d
Pa. 10Th Mass, 10th Conn, s5th n. Y,
New York battery, and detachment of 18th
y. L. Cav, several companies of loyal North
Caroilnians twh0 were termed "BufI:loes' -
by the enemy, and ome few cOlored troops
| IN all about two thousand men. were stationed
there The Miami, Southfeld, Whitehead.
Ceres, and one or two other small gunboats
were dong duty on the river. The army
constructed several forts, the principal two
being Font Vessels and Flusser.
The authorities at Washington had been
informed that formidable ironclad ram.
the Albemarle, had been built and the enemy
were only awaiting the Spring freshet to
successfully lanch it. Capt. Flusser COM
handing the naval forces, was ordered 70
blockade the river about eight miles above
plymouth, for the purpose of obstructing her
passage, ana Tor this purpose the huks of
several old schooners, each with torpedo
attached, were sunk, but so sanguine was
Flnsser OF his being able to capture or DESTROY
the ram by plan he had in view that n
channel sufficiently wide was left for her.
AS further plecaution the army had
mounted on Fort Worth 2OO-pounder
farrott rifle, with steelpoiDted shot. The
battery was situated within short distance
OF the river, and it was supposed that a shot
from TINS gun would sink or destroy the
ram. ,aF
On the afternoon of thensth of April. Gen.
!, i,..,
moved on Plymouth and began the attack. hut
Tor some reason not known the ram as an
ticipated, did not Cooperate The Roanoke
River at Plymouth is little higher than the
land, and the ground for several miles in
'front.' OF where the principal forts were built
IS VOID OF even shrEbbery of the smallest
growth, so that the ganboats had an unob |
structed range OF the1 eGemy, and could fire |
over our own forts and as charge after |
charge would be made by the enemy. our |
9-inch guns, loaded with shrapneI and can |
ister, would NOW their ranks down as with |
scythe. ~ .
The attack was made at $50 p. M. and
lasted until 10 p M, when the enemy fell |
back Some deserters reported that they lost |
In Killed and wounded Il 800 men, and this |
report was afterwards corroborated by their
own newspapers
The Albemarle was built on the same plan
as all their lronclads were, her sides and ends |
on an angle of 45 degrees. Capt. Flusser's
plan OF capturing or destroying her was ne !
follows: The gunboats Miami and the South- |
field were to be placed side by side. several |
massive chains, securely fastened, were to be
stretched from bow to bow, and as the ram
came down the river the boats were to meet
her, steered so as to get the ram between
them; the chain would then run up the angle
OF the rams bow, on to the roof, and stop Mt
the smokestack, and as the two vessels would
come TO their bearings the ram would be com
PEELED t" surrender or sink Can't. Flusser
haa an idea that the ram would soon pay us
a visit, SO, after the firing had ceased. he Or
t dered the two boats to be chained together.
1hey were tried short distance up and down