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,

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 invasion of hostile armies, the provost marshal, or military governor, attended the footsteps of the Burnside expedition as he has almost every other which has entered within the limits of the Confederate States during this year.

pedition left Edenton for Winton, the capital On the 19th of February a reconnoitring exof Hereford county, situated near the head of navigation on the Chowan river, about fifty miles above its mouth. It consisted of the flo

tilla 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 desired protection. Upon arriving opposite the Winton had raised "the Stars and Stripes" and landing of the town, which was a short distance in the rear, a perfect shower of balls and buckriver here is about a hundred yards wide and shot were fired upon the advancing vessel. The 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. 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.

sea.

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 vessels. Thus eight batteries containing fortysix heavy guns, three batteries of light artillery containing 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,

General Order, No. 17.

March 15.

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.

On the 20th Gen. Parke's brigade commenced to march from Newbern for Beaufort, and on the 23d entered Moorhead city, thirty-six miles from Newbern, and found it evacuated. It is a short distance from Beaufort and connected by a steam ferry. A flag of truce was then sent over to Fort Macon, and a surrender demanded. This was refused, and vigorous measures were at once commenced to reduce it by a siege. Beaufort is the capital of Carteret county, situated at the mouth of Newport river, and a few miles from the sea. The harbor is the best in the State, and its entrance is defended by Fort Macon.

Meanwhile, on the 20th, a naval column consisting of the gunboats Louisiana, Delaware, and Com. Perry, with the transport Admiral, having on board eight companies of the 24th Massachusetts regiment, proceeded to Washington, a small town on the left bank of the Tar river about forty miles from Pamlico Sound. On the 25th, the force arrived before the town, and were received by the authorities without opposition. Below the town obstructions had been placed in the river, and abandoned fortifications were found on each shore adjacent. The commander, A. Maury, thus reported to his superior officer: "I found on further consultation with the authorities, on whom I made my demand for the restoration of the Hatteras Light property, that underlying an apparent acquiescence of the people of the town and neighborhood, in permitting the building of gunboats, and the construction of batteries to repel the approach of the Federal forces, was a deep-rooted affection for the old Union, and not a little animosity for its enemies; the latter element not being diminished by the importation of troops from a distant State. The result of this state of affairs was, as could be anticipated, the abandonment of its defences by the troops, followed by the destruction of what remained of Confederate property by the people. The launched gunboat had been towed several miles up the river, loaded with turpentine, and fired on the night of our arrival. A few hundred bushels of meal and corn left in the commissary store, were distributed to the poor by my orders. All the Hatteras Light property in the town was secured. The woods and swamps were represented as being alive with refugees from the draft. Many of them, encouraged by our presence, came in. They were bitter and deep in their denunciations of the secession heresy, and promised a regiment if called to aid in the restoration of the flag." This force returned to Newbern.

The force in the neighborhood of Fort Macon, however, was not idle. A detachment from Gen. Parke's brigade, consisting of the 4th Rhode Island and 8th Connecticut, on the night of the 25th, crossed over and took possession of Beaufort without opposition. In the day time this passage would have been resisted by the fort. No military force was found in the town. Preparations were now made se

riously to invest the fort. All communication by land or water was cut off, and guns were put into position to reduce it. The garrison consisted of nearly five hundred men under command of Col. White. The regular siege operations commenced on the 11th of April, when a reconnoissance in force was made by Gen. Parke. The pickets of the enemy stationed on Bogue Beach, two miles from the fort, were driven in and a good situation for the siege guns was found. Everything being in readiness, on the morning of the 25th of April, fire was opened upon the fort from a breaching battery eleven hundred feet distant, and flanking mortars planted at a distance of about fourteen hundred yards, and behind sand banks which prevented the garrison from seeing them before the fire was opened. At the same time the blockading gunboats Daylight, Commander Lockwood; State of Georgia, Commander Armstrong; Chippewa, Lieut. Payson and bark Gemsbok, Lieut. Caverdy; approached the fort and began to fire. three steamers assisted the bark, and kept under way, steaming round in a circle and delivering their fire as they came within range, a mile and a quarter distant from the fort. After an hour and a quarter, the sea became so rough and their fire consequently so inaccurate, that the fleet retired. The action however continued between the batteries and the fort until toward evening, when the latter was surrendered with the honors of war. All the guns on the side of the fort opposite that attacked, were dismounted, and also all but three of those bearing upon the Federal force, when it became untenable. The firing of the fleet did no injury to the fort. The Daylight was struck by an 8-inch solid shot which entered her quarter. Seven of the garrison were killed and eighteen wounded. One was reported killed on the Federal side.

The

While this siege was pressed forward, Gen. Burnside, in order to create the impression at Norfolk, Va., that he was approaching with his whole force, sent Gen. Reno with the 21st Massachusetts, 51st Pennsylvania, a part of the 9th and 89th New York, and 6th New Hampshire in that direction. Proceeding nearly to Elizabeth City, he disembarked at a point about three miles below, on the night of the 19th of April. Col. Hawkins was ordered forward with the 9th and 89th New York and the 6th New Hampshire toward South Mills, to be followed by Gen. Reno four hours after, upon getting the remaining troops ashore. Col. Hawkins lost his way and came in behind Gen. Reno on the march, and was ordered to follow. Having marched about sixteen miles, and within a mile and a half of South Mills, a Confederate force opened with artillery upon the advanced guard before it was discovered. They were found posted across the road, with their infantry in ditches, and their artillery commanding all the direct approaches. Their rear was protected by a dense forest. Gen. Reno or

dered the 6th New Hampshire to form in a line on the left of the road and support the four pieces of artillery, while the 51st Pennsylvania and 21st Massachusetts filed to the right and passed over to the edge of the wood to turn the enemy's flank, and the New York regiments supported them. The effect of these movements, and the sharp firing that ensued, caused the enemy soon to retire in a rapid manner. The force rested until evening, and then withdrew to their boats. The Federal loss was fourteen killed and ninety-six wounded, and two taken prisoners. The Federal force remained on the field for seven hours, buried their dead, and transported all the wounded except fourteen, so severely wounded that they could not be moved, but who were comfortably provided for and left in charge of a surgeon and chaplain. "In obedience to orders," says Gen. Burnside, "Gen. Reno then returned to his fleet and embarked his men." Ten or fifteen prisoners were taken, most of whom belonged to the 3d Georgia regiment. The loss of the Confederate force was unknown; thirty killed and wounded were left on the field. They reported one regiment and three pieces of artillery as the entire force engaged.

On the 23d of April a naval expedition, consisting of the gunboats Lockwood, Whitehead, and Putnam, under Lieut. Flosser, was sent to obstruct the entrance of the Dismal Swamp canal. This was done by means of sinking a schooner, and filling the canal with brush, stumps, rails, and earth, and trunks of trees.

On the 6th of June a sharp engagement occurred eight miles from Washington near Pactolus, between a Confederate force under Col. Singleterry and the 24th Massachusetts under Capt. Potter. This latter officer had been stationed at Washington with a small force, and hearing of the gathering of the enemy, obtained reënforcements, and successfully attacked them. Seven were killed and eleven wounded on the Federal side.

Some other military movements, to be hereafter stated, took place during the succeeding months. This portion of North Carolina was held by the Union forces throughout the year. Its ports were closed to imports for the Confederate States, and its commerce ceased entirely. The principal part of the forces under Gen. Burnside were subsequently brought to Newport News, where they remained in transports until the Army of the Potomac returned to Alexandria. They then united with it under Gen. Pope.

This expedition in its outfit, vigor of action, and complete achievements, showed that it was commanded by an experienced, judicious, and able officer. It was necessarily confined in its operations to the shores of the country, where it could act in concert with the gunboats. It had not been in the field four months, when the Government found itself entirely without soldiers who could be sent to reenforce him.

At the approach of Gen. Burnside's com

mand upon the coast of North Carolina much confidence was felt on the part of the authorities that they would be able to make a successful resistance. A few days served to dispel these delusions, and change the aspect of their situation. The entire coast was exposed to the invasion of the Federal troops. This change quenched a spirit of dissatisfaction with the Confederate Government, which was beginning to prevail under grievances that the State had suffered. Efforts, however, were now made to prevent the advance of the Federal troops into the interior, and to make as successful opposition to their movements as might be possible. The election for State officers in North Carolina takes place on the second Thursday in August. Some months before this election the person who should be the next governor of the State became a subject of active discussion. One party desired a man who was not a proscriptive secessionist, and the other desired one who was radical and thorough on secession, and who would sustain the Confederate Government, even at the expense of State rights. Both parties sustained the war. The candidates nominated for the office were William Johnson, of Mecklenberg County, and Zebulon B. Vance, of Buncombe County.

The result of the election was the choice of Col. Vance as governor by a large majority.

On the 17th of November the Legislature assembled at Raleigh, and the governor delivered his message. He urged a vigorous prosecution of the war, but complained of the bad faith of the Confederate Government in sending agents into the State to obtain clothing and supplies, after agreeing not to do so if the State undertook to clothe her own troops. He condemned the conscription law, and stated that the soldiers were suffering greatly for want of shoes and clothing. The debt of the State at the beginning of the year was $2,098,361. Flour and corn commanded such prices as to be used only by wealthy persons.

The Legislature adopted the following resolutions on the 27th of November:

Resolved, That the Confederate States have the means and the will to sustain and perpetuate the Government they have established, and that to that

end North Carolina is determined to contribute all her power and resources.

Resolved, That the separation between the Confederate States and the United States is final, and that the people of North Carolina will never consent to a reunion at any time or upon any terms.

Resolved, That we have full confidence in the ability and patriotism of his Excellency President Davis, and that his administration is entitled to the cordial support of all patriotic citizens.

Resolved, That we heartily approve of the policy Gov. Vance to the General Assembly, and that he for the conduct of the war set forth by his Excellency ought to be unanimously supported in the manly and patriotic stand he has taken for our independence.

The number of men obtained in the State by the Confederate conscription law was stated to exceed forty thousand, three-fourths of whom were reported by the examining physicians as unfit for military duty.