ger of grounding. The entrance to the inlet was commanded by two forts, which were captured by an expedition under Gen. B. F. Butler and Commodore Stringham during the preceding year. (See ANNUAL CYCLOPÆDIA, 1861-EXPEDITIONS.)

The wind changed to the southeast and continued blowing in that quarter for several days after the vessels began to arrive. This brought in a considerable sea or swell, which made it dangerous for all the vessels drawing much water to cross the bar and attempt to enter except at the top of the tide. Those drawing the least water got in first, the others anchored outside watching an opportunity. In this perilous situation, with a high sea, a strong wind blowing on shore, and shoal water, with a crooked channel, several days passed during which the fleet was endeavoring one by one to get within the inlet. The steamer City of New York grounded on the bar, and the sea swept clean over her and quickly reduced her to a wreck. The gunboat Zouave sunk in the inlet, and two or three other small vessels were equally unfortunate. Within the inlet the anchorage was narrow and the change of the tide brought the vessels in contact, and the roughness of the water caused a constant chafing of rigging and spars, and crashing of bulwarks.

For two days the wind and sea were so high as to prevent all communication with the outer vessels, or with each other. The New Jersey regiment was then called to enter upon its work, with mourning in its ranks. Its Colonel, J. W. Allen, and its surgeon, F. S. Weller, were drowned by the overturning of a small boat in the breakers at the inlet.

The gale increased; dark clouds swept down from the east and seemed almost to touch the vessels' masts as they swayed to and fro. A single person here and there appeared on some vessel's deck, holding on by the rail or the rigging, and a few scattered groups of the soldiers who had been landed, were seen hurrying on the beach as if in search of shelter from the fury of the blast. The tents of the Massachusetts 24th, which had been pitched on the beach, were swept away, and the poor soldiers spent a fearful night, exposed to the peltings of a pitiless storm, with yet a more fearful night to follow. Even the brave commander of the expedition was heard to exclaim in suppressed tones, "This is terrible! When will the storm abate?"

This violent storm was followed by a high tide, and on the 24th, nearly all the vessels which had arrived were within the entrance, and by the 26th repairs had been made and the force was ready to move. Fortunately the few Confederate gunboats on the sound kept aloof and made no attack.

Preparations were now made for a speedy movement. The object was to proceed up Pamlico Sound, and open the passage into Albemarle Sound. This passage was called Croatan Sound, and was bounded on the one side by

the mainland and on the other by Roanoke Island, which is low and marshy. As this was the principal communication between Pamlico and Albemarle, the enemy had erected fortifications in the upper part of the passage, on Roanoke Island, and had also obstructed it by piles and sunken vessels. They had a fleet of seven small gunboats, prepared to contest the passage, and stationed near the batteries. On the 3d of February, Gen. Burnside issued the following general orders:

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, PAMLICO SOUND, February 3, 1862. GENERAL ORders, No. 5.

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This expedition being about to land on the soil of North Carolina, the General Commanding desires his soldiers to remember that they are here to support the Constitution and the laws, to put down rebellion, and to protect the persons and property of the loyal and peaceable citizens of the State. In the march of the army, all unnecessary injuries to houses, barns, fences, and other property will be carefully avoided, and in all cases the laws of civilized warfare will be carefully ob served.

Wounded soldiers will be treated with every care and attention, and neither they nor prisoners must be insulted or annoyed by word or act.

With the fullest confidence in the valor and the charward to a speedy and successful termination of the acter of his troops, the General Commanding looks forcampaign.

By command of Brig.-Gen. A. E. BURNSIDE.
LEWIS RICHMOND, Asst. Adj.-Gen.

Further orders relative to signals, and to the disembarkation of the troops, were issued on the next day.

Everything being ready, the forward movement commenced at half past seven on the morning of the 5th of February. The naval squadron following the flag officer's vessel, headed the fleet. Their course was at first southward, following the zigzag channel, until it finally became north by west. At regular and short intervals the gunboats filled their places in the line, and with scarcely perceptible motion, steadily stretched away to the horizon. Next came the transports and gunboats carrying the troops, consisting of sixty-five vessels, of all classes and characters. Each brigade formed three columns, headed by the flag ship of the brigade. Each large steamer had one, two, and in some instances, three schooners in tow. The aisles between the three columns of vessels were kept unbroken, through the whole length, which extended almost two miles over the surface of the sound, except by the two or three small propellers whose duty consisted in conveying orders.

At sundown the fleet came to anchor about ten miles from the southern point of Roanoke Island. The next morning, at eight o'clock, it was in motion. The preceding beautiful day was followed by a stormy one, and anchors were again dropped at the entrance of the inlet or strait. This was the day on which Fort Henry was taken. The next morning was clear, and the sun rose in a sky marked only with clouds enough to give it peculiar beauty. By ten o'clock all preparations had been made, and the

gunboats moved forward, entering the inlet. The flag ship of Gen. Burnside next followed, but the remainder of the transports were detained nearly two hours. A gun fired from one of the Confederate gunboats announced the approach of the Federal squadron. At half past eleven the conflict commenced between the gunboats at long range, but it was noon before they were engaged in close action. The Confederate boats gradually retired, drawing their opponents within range of the forts, when fire was opened by the latter.

The contest between the boats and the battery continued with varied energy during the next three hours, in which time the barracks within the forts were consumed. At three o'clock the troops began to land, under the protection of the fire of three of the gunboats. At this time the Confederate gunboats drew near and recommenced the action, which was continued until their ammunition was exhausted. They then retired up the inlet or sound. The battery continued to fire until the Union gunboats retired for the night. The bravery of the Confederate defence was admitted on every side. On the Federal side, five had been killed and ten wounded. In the fort, the Confederates reported one killed and three wounded, and in the gunboats five wounded, and the largest gunboat sunk, and another disabled.

By four o'clock the transports had all arrived, and the first body of troops were landed unobstructed at five o'clock. In a short time six thousand were on shore, and the remainder of the force landed soon after.

The next morning the troops started in three columns, the centre under Gen. Foster, composed of the 23d, 25th, and 27th Massachusetts, and 10th Connecticut; the next, or left flanking column, under Gen. Reno, consisted of the 21st Massachusetts, 51st New York, 9th New Jersey, and 51st Pennsylvania; the third, or right flanking column, under Gen. Parke, consisted of the 4th Rhode Island, first battalion of the 5th Rhode Island, and the 9th New York. The approach to the enemy was by a road through a swamp, on each side of which was a thick underbrush. An earthwork about thirty-five yards wide had been erected across the road for defence. The attack was bravely made, as it had been planned, upon the enemy's position, and after a most spirited and splendid defence, as reported by the assailants, they were obliged to give way before this overwhelming force, and retiring further up the island were overtaken, and Col. Shaw, their commander, surrendered. Thus six forts, forty guns, over two thousand prisoners, and three thousand stand of arms were captured. The Union loss was thirty-five killed and two hundred wounded. The Confederate loss in killed was reported to be sixteen, and wounded thirty-nine. The artillery of each side consisted of some heavy pieces, such as 100-pound Parrotts, and a 100pound Sawyer gun captured by the Confederates some time previous. The contest between

the battery and the gunboats, in the morning, was unimportant, and the latter proceeded to remove the obstructions in the channel.

On the reception of the report of Gen. Burnside at Washington the following order was issued by President Lincoln:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.

The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, returns thanks to Brigadier-General Burnside and Flag Officer Goldsborough, and to General Grant and Flag Officer Foote, and the land and naval forces under their respective commands, for their gallant achievements in the capture of Fort Henry and at Roanoke Island. While it will be no ordinary pleasure for him to acknowledge and reward in a becoming manner the valor of the living, he also recognizes his duty to pay fitting honor to the memory of the gallant dead. The charge at Roanoke Island, like the bayonet charge at Mill Springs, proves that the close grapple and sharp steel of loyal and patriotic citizens must always put the rebels and traitors to flight. The late achievements of the navy show that the flag of the Union, once borne in proud glory around the world by naval heroes, will soon again float over every rebel city and stronghold, and that it shall forever be honored and respected as the emblem of Liberty and Union in every land and

upon every sea.

By order of the President. (Signed)

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. On the afternoon of the next day after the surrender, Commodore Rowan, by order of Com. Goldsborough, with fourteen steamers, proceeded toward Elizabeth city. It is the capital of Pasquotank county, North Carolina, situated on the Pasquotank river, about twenty miles from its mouth and thirty miles from Roanoke Island. That night the fleet anchored about eighteen miles from the city. Next morning, the 10th, on approaching the town, seven Confederate gunboats and one schooner were discovered, and after a brief contest they retired under the guns of a small fort, were set on fire, and abandoned. This fort on Cobb's Point, mounting four guns, was also abandoned. At the same time the town was deserted by the Confederate forces, after having set on fire some of the houses, which were burned. All the Confederate gunboats were destroyed excepting one. Two were killed and about twelve wounded on the Union gunboats. The loss on the other side is not known. Commander Rowan immediately sent the gunboats Louisiana, Underwriter, Commodore Perry, and Lockwood, under Lieut. A. Maury, to Edenton, on the west end of Albemarle Sound. It is the capital of Chowan county and is at the head of Edenton bay, which opens into Albemarle Sound a little below the mouth of Chowan river. On the 12th the town was taken possession of by Lieut. Maury. Part of a light artillery regiment, from one to three hundred in number, withdrew without firing a gun. No fortifications existed, nor was any opposition made. Eight cannon and one schooner on the stocks were destroyed. Two schooners with four thousand bushels of corn were captured on the sound, and six bales of cotton taken from the custom house wharf.

On the next day, the 14th, Lieut. Jeffers was sent by Lieut. Maury with the gunboats Underwriter, Lockwood, Shawshene, and Whitehead, towing a couple of schooners to the mouth of the Chesapeake and Albemarle canal. The enemy were found engaged in placing obstructions in the mouth of the canal. These works were completed by sinking the two schooners and burning all that remained above water. This small expedition then returned to the mouth of North River. This was two days before the surrender of Fort Donelson. On the 18th of February the joint commanders of the Union forces in North Carolina issued the following proclamation, declaring to the people of that State the object of their mission:

ROANOKE ISLAND, NORTH CAROLINA, Į
February 18, 1862.

To the People of North Carolina:
The mission of our joint expedition is not to invade
any of your rights, but to assert the authority of the
United States, and to close with you the desolating war
brought upon your State by comparatively a few bad
men in your midst.

Influenced infinitely more by the worst passions of human nature than by any show of elevated reason, they are still urging you astray to gratify their unholy

purposes.

They impose upon your credulity by telling you of wicked and even diabolical intentions on our part; of our desire to destroy your freedom, demolish your property, liberate your slaves, injure your women, and such like enormities-all of which, we assure you, is not only ridiculous, but utterly and wilfully false.

We are Christians as well as yourselves, and we profess to know full well, and to feel profoundly, the sacred obligations of the character.

No apprehensions need be entertained that the demands of humanity or justice will be disregarded. We shall inflict no injury, unless forced to do so by your own acts, and upon this you may confidently rely.

Those men are your worst enemies. They, in truth, have drawn you into your present condition, and are the real disturbers of your peace and the happiness of your firesides.

We invite you, in the name of the Constitution, and in that of virtuous loyalty and civilization, to separate yourselves at once from these malign influences, to return to your allegiance, and not compel us to resort further to the force under our control.

The Government asks only that its authority may be recognized; and we repeat, in no manner or way does it desire to interfere with your laws constitutionally established, your institutions of any kind whatever, your property of any sort, or your usages in any respect. L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH, Flag Officer, Commanding North Carolina Blockading Squadron. A. E. BURNSIDE, Brigadier-General, Commanding Department of North Carolina. It may be thought that this part of North Carolina was in a very defenceless condition. In many respects this was not so. It cost the United States two military and naval expeditions before it was reached. The first expedition, under the command of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler and Commodore S. H. Stringham, consisted of the steam frigates Minnesota and Wabash, and armed steamers Monticello, Pawnee, and Harriet Lane, and the steam transports Adelaide and George Peabody, and the tug Fanny. The steam frigate Susquehanna also joined the expedition. The military force consisted of 880 men. These forces captured the

forts at the entrance of Hatteras Inlet, and made no further advance. The result of the expedition was the acquisition of the forts captured, the control of the island in which they were located, and the closing of the inlet against the passage of vessels running the blockade. The expedition under Gen. Burnside entered the inlet and captured the fortifications on Roanoke Island and destroyed the Confederate navy, when the country lay at its mercy. Small fortifications and some military force was found, however, at every town of any importance. No civil, commercial, or political changes were made such as to indicate that the inhabitants regarded themselves as restored to the Union. Those in whose hands was held the local civil and political power, retired to safe quarters upon the approach of the Federal force. They acknowledged another allegiance due to a power which they believed or hoped would yet be able to expel the Union troops. So long as that power retained its strength they either feared or declined to acknowledge allegiance elsewhere. That invariable follower of the invamilitary governor, attended the footsteps of sion of hostile armies, the provost marshal, or the Burnside expedition as he has almost every other which has entered within the limits of the Confederate States during this year.

On the 19th of February a reconnoitring expedition left Edenton for Winton, the capital of Hereford county, situated near the head of navigation on the Chowan river, about fifty miles above its mouth. It consisted of the flotilla under the command of Commander Rowan and a company of Col. Hawkins' N. Y. regiment. This force had been informed at Elizabeth City, that five hundred Union men at Winton had raised "the Stars and Stripes" and desired protection. Upon arriving opposite the landing of the town, which was a short distance in the rear, a perfect shower of balls and buckshot were fired upon the advancing vessel. The river here is about a hundred yards wide and the banks high. The boats ascended and brought their guns to bear and fired several shells, and retired about eight miles down the river for the night. The next morning they returned and shelled the village. The military were landed and found it deserted, when the buildings were set on fire and burned.

The movements of the Federal forces caused efforts to be made by the State authorities to resist them. On the 22d Governor Clark issued the following proclamation:

NORTH-CAROLINIANS! Our country needs your aid for its protection and defence against an invading foe.

The President of the Confederate States has made a

requisition upon our State to complete her quota of troops in the field. Our own borders are invaded by the enemy in force, now threatening an advance to deprive us of liberty, property, and all that we hold dear, as a self-governing and free people. We must resist him at all hazards and by every means in our power. He wages a war for our subjugation—a war forced upon us in wrong and prosecuted without right, and in a spirit of vengeful wickedness without a parallel in the history of warfare among civilized nations.

As you value your rights of self-government and all the blessings of freedom-the hallowed endearments of home and fireside, of family and kindred-I call upon you to rally to their defence, and to sustain the noble and sacred cause in which we are engaged. North Carolina has always proved true, constant and brave, in the hour of trial and of danger. Never let it be said, that in the future she has failed to maintain her high renown. If we are threatened now more than heretofore, and upon our own soil, let our exertions be equal to every demand on our patriotism, honor, and glory. No temporary reverses dampened the ardor of your ancestors, even though the enemy marched in columns through the State. The fires of liberty still burned brightly in their breasts.

They were moved to new energy and resisted by gallant deeds, with abiding hope and unflinching courage and perseverance, bravely contending with enemies at home as well as the foreign foe, until, after a struggle of seven long years, our independence was achieved and acknowledged. Let us imitate their glorious example. The enemy is redoubling his efforts and straining every nerve to overrun our country and subjugate us to his domination-his avarice and ambition. Already it is proposed in their Congress to establish a territorial government in a portion of our State. Now is the time to prove our zeal and animate by example. I call upon the brave and patriotic men of our State to volunteer, from the mountains to the You are wanted both to fill up our quota in the confederate army and for the special defence of the State. I rely, with entire confidence, on a prompt and cheerful response to this call upon your patriotism and valor. Tender yourselves in companies and squads, under officers of your own selection. You will be at once accepted and organized into regiments under the laws that are or may be made, and which it is my duty to execute. The Adjutant-General will issue the necessary orders for this purpose.

sea.

Fellow citizens! Your first allegiance is due to North Carolina. Rally to her banners. Let every man do his duty and our country will be safe.

Given under my hand and the seal of the State, at Raleigh, this twenty-second day of February, 1862. [SEAL] HENRY T. CLARK.

Preparations were now made by Gen. Burnside for an attack upon Newbern. This city is situated at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers, about fifty miles from Pamlico Sound near its southern extremity. It is second in commercial importance in the State, and is connected by railroad with Raleigh the capital. On the 11th of March the troops intended for the expedition were embarked and ordered with the naval force to rendezvous at Hatteras Inlet. The latter force was under Commander Rowan, Com. Goldsborough having been ordered to Hampton Roads. These forces having combined left Hatteras the next morning and arrived about sunset at Slocum's Creek, eighteen miles below Newbern, and the place selected for disembarking the troops. The landing was effected the next morning with great enthusiasm under cover of the gunboats, and after a toilsome march of twelve miles through the mud, the head of the column reached, that evening, within a mile and a half of the Confederate stronghold. The remainder came up during the night with eight pieces of artillery, chiefly boat howitzers. The gunboats shelled the road in advance of the march of the troops, and covered their encampment at night. Early the next morning Gen. Foster's brigade was ordered by

Gen. Burnside to proceed up the main country road to attack the enemy's left, Gen. Reno up the railroad to attack the enemy's right, and Gen. Parke to follow Gen. Foster and attack the enemy in front, with instructions to support either or both brigades. The engagement which ensued continued for four hours, and resulted in carrying a continuous line of Confederate field work, over a mile in length, protected on the river flank by a battery of thirteen heavy guns and on the opposite flank by a line of redoubts over half a mile in length for riflemen and field pieces in the midst of swamps and dense forests. This line was defended by eight Confederate regiments of infantry, five hundred cavalry, and three batteries of field-artillery, each of six guns.

The position was finally carried by a brave charge, which enabled the Federal force to gain the rear of all the batteries between that point and Newbern. This was done by a rapid advance of the entire force up the main road and railroad, while the gunboats proceeded up the river throwing their shot into the forts and in front of the advancing forces. The enemy in retreating destroyed the country road bridge and the draw of the railroad bridge over the river Trent, thus preventing pursuit, and escaped by the railroad. Meantime the gunboats

arrived at the wharves and commanded the city, but it was not occupied by the troops until Gen. Foster's brigade was brought up by the six heavy guns, three batteries of light artillery vessels. Thus eight batteries containing fortycontaining six guns each, two steamboats, a number of sailing vessels, wagons, horses, a large quantity of ammunition, commissary and quartermasters' stores, forage, and two hundred prisoners were captured. The Union loss was ninety-one killed and four hundred and sixty-six wounded. The Confederate loss was severe, but not so great, as they were effectually covered by their works. They retired to Tuscarora about ten miles from Newbern. Gen. Gatlin being indisposed, they were commanded by Gen. O. B. Branch.

On the next day Gen. Burnside issued the following address to his force:

HEADQUARTERS, DEPT. OF NORTH CAROLINA,
NEWBERN, March 15.

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General Order, No. 17. The General Commanding congratulates his troops on their brilliant and hard won victory of the 14th. Their courage, their patience, their endurance of fatigue, exposure and toil, cannot be too highly praised.

After a tedious march, drawing their howitzers by night, in a drenching rain, they met the enemy in his hand through swamps and thickets, after a sleepless chosen position, found him protected by strong earthworks, mounting many and heavy guns, and in an open field themselves-they conquered. With such soldiers, advance is victory.

The General Commanding directs with peculiar pride, that, as a well-deserved tribute to valor in this second victory of the expedition, each regiment engaged shall inscribe on its banner the memorable

name "Newbern."

By command of Brigadier-General A. E. BURNSIDE. LEWIS RICHMOND, Adjutant-General.