THE "TRENT" AFFAIR. -- OPERATIONS IN ALBEMARLE AND PAMLICO
SOUNDS. -- DESTRUCTION OF THE CONFEDERATE FLEET.
Early in the war an event occurred which for a time seemed likely to
bring England to the aid of the Confederates. The Confederate
Government had appointed as diplomatic commissioners to England two
gentlemen, Messrs. Mason and Slidell. They had escaped from Mobile on
a fleet blockade-runner, and reached Havana, where they remained a
week waiting for the regular English packet to convey them to
Liverpool. While in Havana they were lavishly entertained by the
colony of Confederate sympathizers there; and feeling perfectly safe,
now that they were outside the jurisdiction of the United States, they
made no attempt to conceal their official character, and boasted of
the errand upon which they were sent.
The United States frigate "San Jacinto," which was one of the many
vessels kept rushing about the high seas in search of the privateer
"Sumter," happened to be in the harbor of Havana at this time. She was
commanded by Capt. Wilkes, an officer who had made an exhaustive study
of international law, particularly as bearing upon the right of a
war-vessel to search a vessel belonging to a neutral nation. Capt.
Wilkes, knowing that by capturing the Confederate commissioners, he
could win for himself the applause of the entire North, determined to
make the attempt. By a study of his books bearing on international
law, he managed to convince himself that he was justified in stopping
the British steamer, and taking from it by force the bodies of Messrs.
Mason and Slidell. Accordingly he set sail from the harbor of Havana,
and cruised up and down at a distance of more than a marine league
from the coast, awaiting the appearance of the vessel. Five days after
the "San Jacinto's" departure, the commissioners set sail in the
British mail-steamer "Trent." She was intercepted in the Bahama
Channel by the "San Jacinto." When the man-of-war fired a blank
cartridge as a signal to heave to, the commander of the "Trent" ran
the British flag to the peak, and continued, feeling secure under the
emblem of neutrality. Then came a more peremptory summons in the shape
of a solid shot across the bows; and, as the incredulous captain of
the "Trent" still continued his course, a six-inch shell was dropped
within about one hundred feet of his vessel. Then he stopped. A boat
put off from the "San Jacinto," and made for the "Trent." Up the side
of the merchant-vessel clambered a spruce lieutenant, and demanded the
immediate surrender of the two commissioners. The captain protested,
pointed to the flag with the cross of St. George waving above his
head, and invoked the power of her Britannic majesty,--all to no
avail. The two commissioners had retired to their cabins, and refused
to come out without being compelled by actual force. The boat was sent
back to the "San Jacinto," and soon returned with a file of marines,
who were drawn up with their muskets on the deck of the "Trent." Every
British ship which carries mails carries a regularly commissioned
officer of the navy, who is responsible for them. This officer on the
"Trent" was somewhat of a martinet, and his protests at this violation
of the rights of a neutral vessel were very vigorous. When the first
gun was fired, he rushed below, and soon re-appeared in all the
resplendent glory of gold lace and brass buttons which go to make up a
naval uniform. He danced about the deck in an ecstasy of rage, and
made the most fearful threats of the wrath of the British people. The
passengers too became excited, and protested loudly. Every thing
possible was done by the people of the "Trent" to put themselves on
record as formally protesting. Nevertheless, the commissioners were
taken away, carried to New York, and from there sent into confinement
at Fort Warren.
When the news of this great achievement became known, Wilkes was made
the lion of the hour. Unthinking people met and passed resolutions of
commendation. He was tendered banquets by cities. He was elected a
member of learned societies in all parts of the country, and was
generally eulogized. Even the Secretary of the Navy, who should have
recognized the grave troubles likely to grow out of this violation of
the principles of neutrality, wrote a letter to Capt. Wilkes, warmly
indorsing his course, and only regretting that he had not captured the
steamer as well as the two commissioners.
But fortunately we had wiser heads in the other executive departments
of the government. President Lincoln and Secretary Seward quickly
disavowed the responsibility for Wilkes's action. Letters were written
to the United States minister in England, Charles Francis Adams,
alluding to the proceeding as one for which Capt. Wilkes as an
individual was alone responsible. And well it was that this attitude
was taken: for hardly had the news reached England, when with one
voice the people cried for war. Sympathizing with the South as they
undoubtedly did, it needed but this insult to the British flag to
rouse the war spirit of the nation. Transports loaded with troops were
immediately ordered to Canada; the reserves were called out; the
ordnance factories were set running day and night; while the press of
the nation, and the British minister at Washington, demanded the
immediate release of the captives, and a full apology from the United
States.
The matter was conducted on this side with the utmost diplomacy. We
were undoubtedly in the wrong, and the only thing was to come out with
as little sacrifice of national dignity as possible. The long time
necessary for letters to pass between this country and England was an
important factor in calming the people. Minister Adams said, that, had
the Atlantic cable then been in operation, nothing could have
prevented a war. In the end the demands of Great Britain were acceded
to, and the commissioners proceeded on their way. The last note of the
diplomatic correspondence was a courteous letter from President
Lincoln to the British minister, offering to allow the British troops
_en route_ for Canada to land at Portland, Me., and thus avoid the
long winter's march through New Brunswick. The peaceful settlement of
the affair chagrined the Confederates not a little, as they had hoped
to gain Great Britain as a powerful ally in their fight against the
United States.
Soon after the capture of the forts at Hatteras Inlet, the authorities
of the Union again turned their attention in that direction, with the
result of sending the Burnside expedition to Albemarle Sound.
The coast of North Carolina is honeycombed with rivers, inlets, and
lagoons, which open into the two broad sounds known as Pamlico and
Albemarle, and which are protected from the turbulence of the Atlantic
by the long ridge of sand which terminates at Cape Hatteras. While the
capture of the Hatteras forts had given the Union authorities control
of Hatteras Inlet, the chief entrance to the sounds, yet the long,
narrow island was broken by other lesser inlets of a size sufficient
to permit the passage of light-draught steamers. The Confederates had
quite a fleet of swift, light vessels of insignificant armament, often
only a single gun, with which they occasionally made a descent upon
some coaster or merchantman, running close inshore, and dragged her in
as a prize. With these swift steamers, too, they effectually
controlled all navigation of the sounds. But the greatest advantage
that they derived from their control of the sounds was the vast
facilities given them for constructing, at their leisure, powerful
iron-clads in some of the North Carolina shipyards; then sending them
to reduce the Hatteras forts, and so out into the Atlantic to fight
for the destruction of the blockade. All these conditions were clear
to the authorities of the Union; and therefore, in the early part of
January, 1862, a joint military and naval expedition was fitted out
for operation against the Confederate works and steamers in these
inland waters. It was in the early days of the war; and the flotilla
was one of those heterogeneous collections of remodelled
excursion-steamers, tugs, ferry-boats, and even canal-boats, which at
that time was dignified with the title of "the fleet." In fitting out
this expedition two very conflicting requirements were followed. In
the most favorable circumstances, the channel at Hatteras Inlet is
seldom over seven and a half feet: consequently the vessels must be of
light draught. But the Confederate steamers in the sounds carried
heavy rifled cannon, and the armament of the forts on Roanoke Island
was of the heaviest: therefore, the vessels must carry heavy guns to
be able to cope with the enemy. This attempt to put a heavy armament
on the gun-deck made the vessels roll so heavily as to be almost
unseaworthy.
[Illustration: Shores of Albemarle Sound.]
In addition to the armed vessels belonging to the navy, a number of
transports accompanied the expedition, bearing the army corps under
the command of Gen. Burnside; and the whole number of craft finally
assembled for the subjugation of the North Carolina sounds was one
hundred and twenty. This heterogeneous assemblage of vessels was sent
on a voyage in the dead of winter, down a dangerous coast, to one of
the stormiest points known to the mariner. Hatteras was true to its
reputation; and, when the squadron reached the inlet, a furious
north-easter was blowing, sending the gray clouds scudding across the
sky, and making the heavy rollers break on the beach and the bar in a
way that foretold certain destruction, should any hardy pilot attempt
to run his ship into the narrow and crooked inlet. Outside there was
no safe anchorage, and the situation of the entire squadron was most
precarious. Several serious mishaps occurred before the vessels got
into the small and altogether insufficient harbor between the seaward
bar and the "bulkhead" or inner bar. The first vessel to come to grief
was one of the canal-boats laden with hay, oats, and other stores. She
was without any motive power, being towed by a steam-tug, and, getting
into the trough of the sea, rolled and sheered so that she could not
be towed. The heavy rolling started her seams, and it was soon evident
that she was sinking. With the greatest caution a boat was lowered
from one of the steamers, and put off to rescue the crew of the
foundering craft. Laboriously the sailors worked their way through the
tossing sea to the lee side of the "Grape-shot," and after much
difficulty succeeded in taking off all on board, and the return trip
was commenced. All went well until the boat came under the lee of the
steamer, and the men were about to clamber up the sides. Suddenly an
immense sea lifted the vessel high in the air; and in an instant the
boat was swamped, and the men were struggling in the icy water. All
were ultimately saved, but it was with the greatest difficulty. The
"Grape-shot," left to her fate, went ashore some fourteen miles above
Hatteras. Her cargo served some practical use, after all; for some
horses from the wreck of the "Pocahontas" managed to reach the shore,
and kept themselves alive by munching the water-soaked hay and oats.
The "Pocahontas" was one of the steamers chartered by the war
department as a horse transport. Her actions during this gale furnish
a fair illustration of the manner in which the Government was often
deluded into purchasing almost valueless ships. She started with the
Burnside expedition from Hampton Roads, freighted with one hundred
and thirteen horses. As soon as the gale off Hatteras came on, she
began to show signs of unseaworthiness. First the boilers gave way,
loosened from their places by the heavy rolling of the ship. All
progress had to be stopped until they were patched up. Then down fell
the grates, extinguishing the fires. Then the steering-gear was
broken; and, getting into the trough of the sea, she rolled until her
smokestack broke its moorings and fell over. Finally she sprung a leak
and was run ashore. The crew were all saved, but for a long time their
chances for life seemed small indeed. Ninety of the horses were lost,
some having been thrown overboard ten miles from the land. Others were
left tied in their stalls, to perish when the ship went to pieces in
the breakers. Those that were thrown overboard near the beach swam
ashore through breakers in which no boat nor man could live, and,
finding the waste and wreckage from the cargo of the "Grape-shot,"
lived for days on the hay and oats, soaked with sea-water though they
were.
For two days this gale continued. The outlook for the fleet seemed
hopeless. The inner bar of the harbor was absolutely impassable.
Between the outer bar and the inner were packed seventy vessels. This
space, though called a harbor, was almost unsheltered. Crowded with
vessels as it was, it made an anchorage only less dangerous than that
outside. Although the vessels were anchored, bow and stern, the
violence of the sea was such that they frequently crashed into each
other, breaking bulwarks, spars, and wheel-houses, and tearing away
standing-rigging. A schooner breaking from its anchorage went tossing
and twirling through the fleet, crashing into vessel after vessel,
until finally, getting foul of a small steamer, dragged it from its
moorings; and the two began a waltz in the crowded harbor, to the
great detriment of the surrounding craft. At last the two runaways
went aground on a shoal, and pounded away there until every seam was
open, and the holds filled with water.
A strange mishap was that which befell the gunboat "Zouave." She was
riding safely at anchor, remote from other ships, taking the seas
nobly, and apparently in no possible danger. Her crew occupied
themselves in going to the assistance of those in the distressed
vessels, feeling that their own was perfectly safe. But during the
night, the tide being out, the vessel was driven against one of the
flukes of her own anchor; and as each wave lifted her up and dropped
her heavily on the sharp iron, a hole was stove in her bottom,
sinking her so quickly that the crew took to the boats, saving
nothing.
But the most serious disaster was the total wreck of the "City of New
York," a large transport, with a cargo of ordnance stores valued at
two hundred thousand dollars. Unable to enter the inlet, she tried to
ride out the gale outside. The tremendous sea, and the wind blowing
furiously on shore, caused her to drag her anchors; and those on board
saw certain death staring them in the face, as hour by hour the ship
drifted nearer and nearer to the tumbling mass of mighty breakers,
that with an unceasing roar, and white foam gleaming like the teeth of
an enraged lion, broke heavily on the sand. She struck on Monday
afternoon, and soon swung around, broadside to the sea, so as to be
helpless and at the mercy of the breakers. Every wave broke over her
decks. The condition of her crew was frightful. In the dead of winter,
the wind keen as a razor, and the waves of icy coldness, the body soon
became benumbed; and it was with the greatest effort that the men
could cling to the rigging. So great was the fury of the wind and
waves, that no assistance could be given her. For a boat to venture
into that seething caldron of breakers would have been throwing away
lives. So the crew of the doomed ship were left to save themselves as
best they might. The night passed away, and Tuesday morning saw the
gale still blowing with unabated force. Hoping to lessen the strain on
the hull, they cut away the foremast. In falling, it tore away the
pipes, and the vessel became a perfect wreck. Numbed with cold, and
faint for lack of food, the crew lashed themselves to the bulwarks and
rigging; and so, drenched by the icy spray, and chilled through by the
wind, they spent another fearful night. The next day the fury of the
storm seemed to have somewhat abated. The sea was still running high,
and breaking over the almost unrecognizable hulk stranded on the
beach. With the aid of a glass, sailors on the other ships could see
the inanimate forms of the crew lashed to the rigging. It was
determined to make a vigorous attempt to save them. The first boat
sent out on the errand of mercy was watched eagerly from all the
vessels. Now it would be seen raised high on the top of some
tremendous wave, then, plunging into the trough, it would be lost from
the view of the anxious watchers. All went well until the boat reached
the outermost line of the breakers, when suddenly a towering wave,
rushing resistlessly along, broke directly over the stern, swamping
the boat, and drowning seven of the crew. Again the last hope seemed
lost to the exhausted men on the wreck. But later in the day, the sea
having gone down somewhat, a steam-tug succeeded in reaching the wreck
and rescuing the crew. The second engineer was the last man to leave
the ship. He remained lashed to the mast until all were taken on the
tug. Then, climbing to the top-mast, he cut down the flag that had
waved during those two wild days and nights, and bore it safely away.
After this gale died away, the work of getting the squadron over the
inner bar was begun. It was a tremendous task. Many of the ships drew
too much water for the shallow channel, and it was necessary to remove
large parts of their cargoes. The bar, which is known as Buckhead
Shoal, was an expanse of quicksand a mile wide, with a tortuous
channel ever changing with the shifting sands. Many of the ships
stranded, and the tugs were constantly busy in towing them off.
Scarcely would one be safely afloat, than another would "bring up all
standing" on some new shoal. Two weeks elapsed before all the vessels
were safe within the landlocked sound. They were none too soon; for
hardly had the last vessel crossed the bar, than the black gathering
clouds, the murky, tossing sea, and the foaming billows breaking on
the bar, foretold another of the storms for which Cape Hatteras is
famed. Through the storm a queer-looking craft was seen approaching
the fleet. It was found to be a boat-load of escaping slaves, who had
put to sea at random, feeling sure of finding "de Yankees" somewhere.
From these men much valuable information was obtained.
Up to this time no one in the fleet, excepting the superior officers,
was informed as to the exact destination of the expedition. Now as the
signal to get under way blew out from the foremast of the flagship,
and as the prow of the leading vessel was turned to the northward, all
knew, and all cried, "Roanoke Island." This island was heavily
fortified by the Confederates, and from its position was a point of
considerable strategic importance. It guards the entrance to Pamlico
Sound from Albemarle Sound, and into Pamlico Sound open great bays and
rivers that penetrate far into the interior of Virginia and North
Carolina. On this island the Confederates had erected three forts of
formidable strength. These forts commanded the channel through which
the vessels would have to pass; and to make the task doubly dangerous,
the channel was obstructed with sharpened piles and sunken hulks, so
as to be apparently impassable. Beyond the obstructions was the
Confederate fleet, which, though insignificant compared with the
attacking squadron, was formidable in connection with the forts. It
was the task of the invaders to capture these forts, and destroy the
fleet.
It was on Feb. 5 that the squadron prepared to leave its moorings at
Hatteras Inlet. It was an imposing spectacle. The flagship
"Philadelphia" led the naval squadron, which advanced with the
precision of a body of troops. Behind, with less regularity, came the
army transports. About one hundred vessels were in the three columns
that moved over the placid waters of the sound toward the forts. It
was five in the afternoon of a short February day that the fleet came
in sight of the forts. Signals were made for the squadron to form in a
circle about the flagship. The early darkness of winter had fallen
upon the scene. The waters of the sound were smooth as a mill-pond.
From the white cottages on the shore gleamed lights, and brilliant
signal-lanterns hung in the rigging of the ships. Through the fleet
pulled swift gigs bearing the commanders of the different vessels.
The morning dawned dark and rainy. At first it was thought that the
fog and mist would prevent the bombardment, but all doubt was put at
an end by the signal, "Prepare for action," from the flagship. The
drums beat to quarters, and soon the guns were manned by sailors
stripped to the waist. The magazines were opened; and the surgeons
cleared away the cock-pits, and spread out their glistening
instruments ready for their work.
The fleet got under way, and stood up the channel almost to the point
where the obstructions were planted. Beyond these were the gunboats of
the enemy. The cannonade was begun without loss of time. A portion of
the fleet began a vigorous fire upon the Confederate gunboats, while
the others attacked the forts. The gunboats were soon driven away, and
then the forts received the entire fire. The water was calm, and the
aim of the gunners was admirable. The forts could hardly respond to
the fire, since the great shells, plunging by hundreds into the
trenches, drove the men from their guns into the bomb-proof casemates.
The officers of the ships could watch with their glasses the effect of
every shell, and by their directions the aim of the gunners was made
nearly perfect.
While the bombarding was going on, Gen. Burnside set about landing his
troops near the southern end of the island. The first boat was fired
upon by soldiers concealed in the woods. The "Delaware" instantly
pitched a few shells into the woods from which the firing proceeded,
and in a few minutes the enemy could be seen running out like rats
from a burning granary. The landing then went on unimpeded. The boats
were unable to get up to the bank, owing to shoal water; and the
soldiers were obliged to wade ashore in the icy water, waist-deep, and
sinking a foot more in the soft mud of the bottom.
The bombardment was continued for some hours after nightfall. A night
bombardment is a stirring scene. The passionate and spiteful glare of
the cannon-flashes; the unceasing roar of the explosions; the demoniac
shriek of the shells in the air, followed by their explosion with a
lightning flash, and crash like thunder; the volumes of gray smoke
rising upon the dark air,--make up a wonderful and memorable sight.
In the morning the bombardment was recommenced, and the work of
landing troops went on. Eight gunboats were sent to tear away the
obstructions in the channel; and there beneath the guns of the enemy's
fleet, and the frowning cannon of the forts, the sailors worked with
axe and ketch until the barricade was broken, and the eight ships
passed to the sound above the forts. In the mean time, the troops on
the island began the march against the forts. There were few paths,
and they groped their way through woods and undergrowth, wading
through morasses, and tearing their way through tangled thickets to
get at the enemy's front. The advance was slow, but steady, until the
open field before the forts was reached; then a change was ordered,
led by the famous Hawkins Zouaves, who rushed madly upon the fort,
shouting their war cry of _Zou, zou, zou!_ Like a resistless flood the
attackers poured over the earthworks, and the frightened defenders
fled. Before five o'clock the entire island was in the hands of the
troops, and the fleet had passed the barricade. During the bombardment
the vessels sustained severe injuries. An act of heroism which made
the hero celebrated was that of John Davis, gunner's mate on board the
"Valley City." A shell entered the magazine of that ship, and
exploded, setting the woodwork on fire. An open barrel of gunpowder
stood in the midst of the flames, with sparks dropping about it. At
any moment an explosion might occur which would shatter the vessel to
fragments. Men shrank back, expecting every moment to be their
last. With wonderful presence of mind Davis threw himself across the
open end of the barrel, and with his body covered the dangerous
explosive until the fire was put out.
[Illustration: Contrabands escaping to Fleet.]
As soon as the stars and stripes were hoisted on the flagstaffs of the
forts, the Confederate fleet, which had been maintaining a desultory
fire, fled up the sound, after setting fire to one schooner which had
become hopelessly crippled in the battle. She blazed away far on into
the night, and finally, when the flames reached her magazine, blew up
with a tremendous report, seeming like a final involuntary salute paid
by the defeated enemy to the prowess of the Union arms. When quiet
finally settled down upon the scene, and Gen. Burnside and Commander
Goldsborough counted up their gains, they found that six forts,
twenty-five hundred prisoners, and forty-two great guns had fallen
into the hands of the victors. The Union loss was forty killed and two
hundred wounded.
The next day was Sunday. It was considered highly important that the
success of the day before should be vigorously followed up; and an
expedition of fourteen vessels, under Capt. Rowan, was ordered to
follow the retreating Confederate fleet and destroy it. The flying
squadron was chased as far as Elizabeth City on the Pasquotauk River.
Here night overtook the pursuers; and they came to anchor at the mouth
of the stream, effectually cutting off all hope of retreat. The
Confederates in the vessels lying off the town passed an anxious
night. Outnumbered two to one by the pursuing vessels, they saw no
hope of a successful resistance. With a courage which in view of the
facts seems to be almost foolhardy, they determined to stick to their
ships, and fight to the death. The feelings of the inhabitants of the
town were hardly less gloomy. So thoroughly impregnable had they
considered the forts at Roanoke Island, that they had made absolutely
no preparations for defence; and now they found their homes upon the
eve of capture. The victorious army had not yet had an opportunity to
show the merciful way in which the inhabitants of captured cities were
treated throughout the war; and the good people of Elizabeth City may
be excused for fearing, that, with the destruction of their fleet,
they were to be delivered into the merciless hands of a lawless enemy.
Morning dawned bright and clear. With the greatest deliberation the
preparations for action were made on the attacking vessels. It was
discovered, that, owing to the continuous firing during the Roanoke
Island engagement, but twenty rounds of ammunition per gun were left
to each vessel. It was accordingly ordered that no long-distance
firing should be done; but each vessel should dash at the enemy, run
him down if possible, and then board and fight it out, hand to hand.
Early in the morning the fleet started up the river. The enemy's fleet
was soon sighted, lying behind the guns of a small battery on Cobb's
Point. When within long range, battery and vessels opened a tremendous
fire with eighty-pound rifles. The approach of the squadron continued
until when within three-quarters of a mile the signal was flung out
from the mast of the flagship, "Dash at the enemy." Then full speed
was put on, and firing commenced from bow-guns. The Confederates
became totally demoralized. The battery was abandoned when the first
vessel poured her broadside into it as she passed. Before the enemy's
fleet was reached, many of his vessels were fired and abandoned. The
United States steamship "Perry" struck the "Sea-Bird" amidships,
sinking her so quickly that the crew had scarce time to escape. The
crew of the "Delaware" boarded the "Fanny," sabering and shooting her
defenders until they fled over the side into the water. The victory
was complete and overwhelming. Three or four of the victorious vessels
at once proceeded to the town, where they found the enemy in full
retreat and compelling the inhabitants to set fire to their houses.
This was quickly stopped, and the invaders became the protectors of
the conquered people.
The power of the Confederates in this part of the country being so
effectually destroyed, the navy was divided into small detachments and
sent cruising up the lagoons and rivers opening into the North
Carolina sounds, merely to show the people the power of the United
States Government, and to urge them to cease their resistance to its
authority. Three vessels were sent to Edenton. As they came abreast of
the village, a company of mounted artillery precipitately fled. A
detachment of marines sent ashore found a number of cannon which they
destroyed, and a nearly completed schooner to which they set fire.
Other small places were visited, generally without any opposition
being encountered.
A somewhat larger force was sent to a small town named Winton, as it
had been rumored that a force of Union men were there disputing the
authority of the Confederate Government, and the navy wished to go to
their assistance. The "Delaware" and "Hudson," in advance of the
squadron, came within sight of the landing and warehouses of Winton
about four in the afternoon. The town itself was hidden from the view
of the vessels by a high bluff. It was a clear, quiet afternoon, and
all seemed peaceful. The long wharf, running out into the stream, was
deserted by all save a negro woman, who, roused from her occupation of
fishing, gazed inquisitively at the strange vessels. The place looked
like a commercial port going to seed on account of the blockade. The
two vessels proceeded on their way unmolested, ranging past the wharf,
and apprehending no danger. Suddenly from the woods on the bluff a
terrific fire was poured upon the vessels. The negress, having served
her end as a decoy, fled hastily to shelter. The bluffs seemed to be
held by two batteries of light artillery and a considerable force of
armed men. Fortunately the aim of the artillery men was bad, and the
vessels sustained no severe damage. Still, they were in a precarious
position. The "Delaware" was too near to bring her battery to bear,
and was obliged to turn slowly in the narrow channel. The "Perry,"
more fortunately situated, opened at once on the enemy with shrapnel.
But the contest was unequal, and the two vessels were forced to
retreat down the river about seven miles, there to await the remainder
of the squadron.
Two days after, the flotilla began the advance up the river, shelling
the town as they ascended. Once opposite the town, the troops were
landed, and the Hawkins Zouaves soon had possession of the bluff and
town. Knapsacks, ammunition, and muskets in considerable quantity fell
into the hands of the victors; and, after burning the barracks of the
enemy, the squadron returned to the base of operations at Roanoke
Island.