has a peculiar character. A long line of low, sandy beaches, of variable
width and elevation, rise above the surface of the ocean, broken at
occasional intervals by a passage, ordinarily of shallow depth of water,
communicating from the open sea with the lagoons inside. These bodies of
water, by the indentations of the main land and the mouths of the
rivers, expand into large bays, of which Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds
are the principal. These two form capacious highways of safe and easy
communication along the coast, and through the Dismal Swamp Canal
connect with the Chesapeake Bay, on the north, at Norfolk, Va.
At the south-western extremity of the long, narrow island or beach, the
outer angle of which has received the name of Cape Hatteras, and which
gives its name to the inlet, the rebels had erected two strong
fortifications known as Forts Hatteras and Clark. Captain Samuel Barron,
late of the United States navy, was here in command of the naval forces,
while Colonel William F. Martin, of the Seventh North Carolina
Volunteers, and Major W. S. G. Andrews, commanded the garrisons.
Hatteras Inlet was one of the principal passages through which the
vessels of the Confederacy made their way, in defiance of the blockade,
and which it was desirable to command with the Federal forces and fleet.
An expedition was accordingly planned, and the preparations were far
advanced when General Wool reached Fortress Monroe. All things having
been made ready, on the 26th of August, the fleet, under Commodore S. H.
Stringham, left Hampton Roads for its destination. It consisted of the
flag-ship Minnesota, Captain G. A. Van Brune, having in company the
United States steamers Wabash, Captain Samuel Mercer; Monticello,
Commander John P. Gillis; Pawnee, Commander S. C. Rowan; Harriet Lane,
Captain John Faunce; United States chartered steamers Adelaide,
Commander Henry S. Stellwagen; George Peabody, Lieutenant R. B. Lowry;
and tug Fanny, Lieutenant Pierce Crosby, all of the United States navy.
The transports Adelaide and George Peabody, towing schooners with
surf-boats on them, and the Monticello and Pawnee surf-boats only.
General Butler embarked his land forces on the two transports Adelaide
and George Peabody, having with him five hundred of the Twentieth New
York regiment, Colonel Weber; two hundred and twenty of the New York
Ninth regiment, Colonel Hawkins; one hundred of the Union Coast Guard,
Captain Nixon; and sixty of the United States Second Artillery,
Lieutenant Larned.
The expedition left Fortress Monroe on Monday, the 26th, at one o’clock,
P. M., and the last vessel had arrived at Hatteras Inlet by four o’clock
on Tuesday afternoon. Preparations for landing troops were made the same
evening, and at daylight the next morning dispositions were made for an
attack upon the forts by the fleet, and the landing of the troops.
CAPTURE OF FORTS HATTERAS AND CLARK.
At four o’clock on Wednesday morning, all hands were called, and by
five, the whole fleet was in a state of the greatest activity with
preparations for the conflict. The Monticello, the Pawnee, and the
Harriet Lane were sent to cover and assist generally in landing the
troops, and they took up a position about two miles and a half north of
the forts. The Cumberland was taken in tow by the Wabash. The iron and
flat boats were meanwhile filling with troops from the steamers, and one
hundred marines who had been taken from the war vessels to increase the
land forces. The Wabash went up to the battery first, drawing the
Cumberland after her. The Minnesota followed, and as they drew near the
point, the two batteries and the barracks of the rebels were plainly
visible. In the sound, beyond the narrow neck of land, several
vessels—three steamers, some schooners under sail, and a brig laying at
anchor under the guns of the forts—were clearly seen.
Colonel Max Weber, of the Twentieth New York, was appointed to command
the land expedition, and about ten o’clock the boats left the transports
with the first detachments of the storming forces. They consisted of
forty-five men of the New York Twentieth, Captain Larner and Lieutenant
Loder; forty-five marines from the Minnesota; sixty-eight men, New York
Ninth regiment, Captain Jardine; one hundred and two men of Twentieth
New York; twenty-eight men Union Coast Guard, Captain Nixon; and twenty
marines, making a total of three hundred and eighteen men.
A heavy surf was breaking on the beach at the time, and the landing was
dangerous. The landing was handsomely covered by the Monticello and
Harriet Lane. Compelled to wade through the water to the shore from the
boats, the men were wet by the surf, and were obliged to march with
their ammunition in no better condition than themselves.
The challenge from the Wabash, at a few minutes before ten o’clock, was
soon responded to from Fort Clark, the smaller of the two, and for
several hours the firing was maintained on both sides with great spirit.
The shot from the forts fell short of the vessels, two or three only
striking the Monticello, but without doing any damage. After getting the
range of the forts from the various vessels of the fleet, the shells
that were hurled into the enemy’s strongholds were directed with great
precision, and almost uniformly reached the points at which they were
aimed.
Three hours of cannonading from fifty-seven heavy guns produced a marked
effect on the smaller fort, and by half-past one o’clock it became
evident that the enemy were becoming discouraged, their firing having
been almost abandoned. At this time, the flags of both forts were hauled
down, the troops already landed were seen hurrying with their colors
towards Fort Clark, and boats laden with men were trying to escape in
the sound. General Butler telegraphed from the Harriet Lane a request
for the fleet to cease firing, and the proper signal was made, but
apparently not fully understood. About thirty of the Federal troops were
by this time in and around Fort Clark, and had already raised the Union
flag. They were fired upon by the Pawnee and Monticello, under the
impression that it was a ruse, and several shells burst in their
immediate vicinity. The two vessels were signaled to return, when the
latter reported that the inner battery was still in the hands of the
enemy; but on again reconnoitering, reported that it was an error.
But the victory was not yet won. The Monticello entered the inlet, and
when within six hundred yards of the lower battery, was fired upon, and
the real state of affairs became apparent. The gunboat responded, and
for fifteen minutes a fire was kept up, which seemed likely to sink the
vessel. All hands were called to quarters, and the Federal vessels
prepared to resume the attack, the troops having in the mean time
withdrawn from Fort Clark to a safer location.
Darkness was gathering thickly around, and the weather became
threatening. The order to “cease firing” was reluctantly given, and the
fleet withdrew, the Monticello, Pawnee and Lane remaining as near the
shore as possible, in order to protect the landed troops, while the
larger vessels anchored in the offing.
Early the next morning, all hands were again called. The smaller vessels
had been driven ashore during the night by the gale, and the little band
of troops were left to protect themselves, as best they might. The
smaller steamers were sent in shore to be in readiness to cover the land
forces, and to aid in any attempt that might be made to land the
remainder. At about eight o’clock, the Wabash and Susquehanna proceeded
to take up a position—this time at anchor. Twenty minutes later, the
Susquehanna opened fire, followed immediately by the Wabash, and soon
the Minnesota found an anchorage ground, and the action commenced in
earnest. An hour later, the Cumberland took position near, and did good
execution, as did also the Harriet Lane, with her rifled guns.
Thus for an hour a rapid fire had been kept up, but without eliciting
any reply from the fort, or without any flag having been shown. Thirty
minutes later, their batteries replied, having been mostly aimed at the
Cumberland, and the fight continued for half an hour, without
intermission, when a white flag was shown from the large fort. Again the
order to cease firing was given, the sailors flew to the rigging, and
from ship to ship rang the cheers of victory. General Butler sent
Lieutenant Crosby ashore to inquire the meaning of the white flag. He
soon returned, bringing Mr. Weigel, with a communication from Commodore
Barron, offering to surrender, with all the arms and ammunition, the
officers to go out with side arms, and the men to retire without arms.
General Butler demanded a full capitulation as prisoners of war, which
was subsequently complied with.
In three-quarters of an hour Lieutenant Crosby returned with Commodore
Barron, Major Andrews and Colonel Martin. With these officers General
Butler went aboard the flag-ship Minnesota, to make the agreement with
Commodore Stringham, on the part of the navy. The articles were signed,
and the forts surrendered and occupied by the Union forces. While the
terms were under consideration, the Adelaide and Harriet Lane both got
aground, and occasioned some fear lest the enemy, taking advantage of
this circumstance, might renew the contest. But happily their fears were
not realized. In reaching the Minnesota, Commodore Barron was obliged to
pass under the guns of the Wabash, the vessel which he had himself
commanded a few months before, and which he had just been endeavoring to
destroy from his batteries.
The result of this expedition was the capture of seven hundred and
fifteen men, including the officers, one thousand stand of arms,
seventy-five kegs of powder, five stand of colors, thirty-one pieces of
cannon, including a ten-inch columbiad, a brig loaded with cotton, a
sloop loaded with provisions and stores, two light-boats, one hundred
and fifty bags of coffee and smaller stores.
The prisoners were transferred to the Minnesota, and taken to New York.
Their acknowledged loss was forty-nine killed and fifty-one wounded. On
the Federal side, not a single life was lost, and only two or three
wounded.
WESTERN VIRGINIA.
A series of active events in Western Virginia now claim our attention.
Governor Wise, on hearing of the death of General Garnett, and the
defeat and dispersion of his army, commenced a retreat up the Kanawha,
cautiously followed by General Cox. He intended to make a stand at
Gauley’s Bridge, at the junction of Gauley and Kanawha rivers, and had
erected defences for that purpose; but in consequence of the
demoralization and desertion of his men, and learning that General
Rosecranz had dispatched a large force to intercept him, he fled without
fighting, on the 28th of July, destroying the bridge to cut off his
pursuers. He left behind him a thousand muskets, and a quantity of
powder, which were seized by General Cox. Early in the month of August,
General Floyd was reinforced by fresh troops from the eastern section of
the State, while Jackson was also advancing with a new army to attack
the position of Rosecranz at the Cheat Mountain Pass, and General
Loring, another rebel commander, was marching towards Huttonsville to
act in conjunction with Jackson’s forces.
SURPRISE AT CROSS LANES.
On the morning of the 26th of August, the Seventh Ohio regiment, Colonel
Tyler, attached to General Cox’s brigade, had just encamped at a
position in the mountains called Cross Lanes, near Summersville, about
twenty-four miles from Gauley Bridge, and eighteen from Twenty-mile
Creek, where the main body of General Cox’s forces were.
While at breakfast they were surrounded and attacked in front and on
both flanks simultaneously, by a rebel force of three thousand infantry,
four hundred cavalry, and ten guns. Colonel Tyler’s men were immediately
formed for battle, and fought bravely, though in an almost hopeless
position. The enemy proving too powerful, the Colonel dispatched an
orderly to the baggage train, which was coming up, but three miles
distant, and turned it back towards General Cox’s camp, where it arrived
in safety. The regiment met the advancing foe with desperate valor, and
finally succeeded in cutting their way through the superior force by
whom they were encompassed, Lieutenant-Colonel Creighton capturing the
enemy’s colors and two prisoners in their progress. The ranks were much
broken, and companies B, C and I suffered severely. The line was soon
formed again, and prepared for a renewal of the attack, but they were
permitted to make good their retreat without further molestation.
Captains Dyer, Shurtleff and Sterling, Adjutant De Forrest, Lieutenant
Narrent, and Sergeant-Major King were killed. The total loss is reported
at fifteen killed, forty wounded, and thirty prisoners. The loss of the
enemy is not known, but could not have been less.
BATTLE OF CARNIFEX FERRY.
SEPTEMBER 10, 1861.
More than a month had now elapsed since General Rosecranz had been
entrusted with the Federal command in Western Virginia, and the
commanders of the hostile forces had been intently watching the
movements of the opposing armies, anxious for an opportunity to strike a
decisive blow.
From his headquarters at Clarksburg, General Rosecranz moved forward to
resume active operations, and at two principal points the enemy prepared
to give him battle. The popular impression was that he intended to
attack General Lee, at Cheat Mountain Gap, his nearest and most
accessible opponent, then held in check by General Reynolds. Floyd had
been permitted to cross the mountains at Summersville, and was known to
be then in the Kanawha region, some eighty or a hundred miles distant,
where it was the intention of the Federal commander to seek him. It was
not until Monday, the 9th of September, that the General reached Birch
river, where he concentrated his force, drawn from various encampments,
and which had marched in detached bodies to the rendezvous appointed.
After leaving the valley of the Big Birch the route lay through a
mountainous and densely wooded country, infested with guerrillas, who
gave them much annoyance; and as no reliable guide accompanied the army,
Rosecranz was obliged to rely chiefly upon the inhabitants for
information of the geographical and topographical features of the
country. The position of Floyd’s forces was also unknown to him, and it
was not until he had reached Cross Lanes, eight miles from Summersville,
that he received reliable information that the enemy was strongly posted
somewhere in the range of hills that line either side of the Gauley
river, immediately facing that village. Floyd was known to be advised of
the approach of the Federal army, as his scouts and skirmishers had been
encountered frequently on the previous day, and it was the plan of
Rosecranz to carefully reconnoitre the position of the enemy before
advancing any considerable force within range of his guns; but the eager
and importunate requests of various officers, as well as the impetuosity
of the men, urged him forward.
Colonel McCook was first sent with a squadron of Chicago cavalry to
Carnifex ferry, by a road which led through ravines to the Gauley river.
In an attempt to destroy a boat found here he was fired upon by the
enemy, who were out of range of the carbines of the cavalry. To overcome
this opposition, he dispatched a man asking that _ten_ infantry should
be sent to his aid. By some mistake the whole of Colonel Lytle’s Tenth
Ohio, an Irish regiment, came hurrying down, eager for a fight, and
opened fire on the woods on the opposite side that speedily banished the
enemy. Colonel Lytle’s regiment continued in the advance, acting as
skirmishers, and shortly drove in a detachment of the rebels from an
exposed camp on the left, of the road. This road was very narrow, and
shut in to the very wagon tracks with the jungle of underbrush.
General Rosecranz, who was still ignorant of the precise position of the
enemy, or of the nature of his entrenchments, now sent orders to General
Benham that Lytle should proceed down this road to make a
reconnoissance, to be supported, if necessary, by the remainder of
Benham’s brigade. Lytle was still a mile in advance of the rest of the
brigade, pushing cautiously forward, with companies A, B, C and E, as
skirmishers. They suddenly found themselves in front of some kind of
fortification, and the enemy discovered them at the same time. At first
there was sharp and scattered firing, when suddenly a terrific crash of
musketry was followed by a storm of bullets. The enemy had opened along
his whole front. The remainder of the Tenth was hurried forward to
support the advance, and General Benham sent orders for the Thirteenth,
Colonel Smith, and the Twelfth, Colonel Lowe, to come forward. The
Federal troops stood their ground with the greatest heroism, in the face
of a heavy battery. The firing on either side was not effective; and
though the Tenth suffered severely, the loss was not great.
The Thirteenth, Colonel Smith, came in on the left, a little in the rear
of the Tenth, and deploying towards Floyd’s right, opened in fine style.
In the thickest of the firing, Colonel Lytle dashed forward in front of
the enemy’s works, leading several companies, and as they left the cover
of the woods, he received a severe wound. The ball which disabled him
also wounded his horse, who dashed his rider to the ground, and in his
death agony plunged over the parapet into the enemy’s works. Colonel
Lytle was carried to a house near by, and lay in great pain, within
hearing of the contest he was unable to share. The Tenth, discouraged
and embarrassed by the loss of their leader, became somewhat scattered
in the woods, but held their position and kept up a steady fire.
Meantime, Colonel Lowe came up with the Twelfth, and was led by
Adjutant-General Hartsuff into the woods near the spot where the Tenth
first received the enemy’s fire. He was leading up his regiment, waving
his sword to cheer on his men, when he was struck in the forehead by a
musket ball, and fell heavily from his horse. He died bravely, a
soldier’s death, in front of the foe, and in the presence of his men.
The reconnoissance that was designed, had now grown into a severe and
general engagement. But the unknown position of the enemy, and the
necessity of calling up other regiments to support the advance, had led
to a premature struggle. McMullen’s howitzer battery, and Captain
Snyder’s battery were brought forward as speedily as possible, and
rendered efficient service. General Rosecranz dispatched
Adjutant-General Hartsuff to order up Colonel McCook’s brigade, who
rushed forward in a state of wild enthusiasm when they were informed
that they would have the honor of storming the batteries. Meantime the
General, who had been making a careful survey of the whole field, found
that the work would be too hazardous, and cost too many valuable lives,
if it were then attempted, and countermanded the order. It was now too
dark to distinguish the foe, and it became absolutely necessary to
withdraw the troops.
The men had marched seventeen miles and a half, and many of them were
exhausted with scouting and skirmishing all day over the hills. They
retired slowly, galled with disappointment, and bivouacked, wearied and
supperless, within musket range of the rebel front. Sentinels were
posted to prevent any attempt of the enemy to surprise them, and guard
against the retreat of Floyd if possible. But total ignorance of the
country, and the intense darkness of the night, made it impossible to
secure all the avenues of retreat. General Rosecranz himself was up all
night long, taking care of his position with jealous and anxious
solicitude; but notwithstanding, the foe slipped from his grasp.
The troops expected to storm the position and take it by sunrise, but
before that time it was discovered vacant. Floyd began the evacuation as
soon as he ascertained that Rosecranz did not intend to storm him, and
by three o’clock the next morning the enemy put the deep and turbulent
Gauley, and some miles of rugged road, between himself and the disgusted
Federal army—sinking the flats and destroying the trestle bridge by
which he had secured his retreat.
The Union troops immediately took possession of Floyd’s camp, in which
he had left his own personal baggage, that of his officers, and their
parade stores, the baggage and blankets of private soldiers, large
numbers of muskets, squirrel guns, powder, lead, cartridges, forage,
large quantities of commissary stores, and some horses and wagons.
He took nothing with him, in fact, excepting his guns, part of his
tents, and a small supply of rations. It was also ascertained that he
threw at least a portion of his cannon into the Gauley.
The loss of Rosecranz’s army in the engagement was 16 killed, and 102
wounded. That of the enemy was probably small, as they were well
protected from the Federal fire. Twelve rebel prisoners were taken, and
25 of Colonel Tyler’s Seventh Ohio, mostly wounded, who had been
captured at Cross Lanes on the 26th of August, were released.
BATTLE OF CHEAT MOUNTAIN PASS.
On the 12th of September, General Reynolds, commanding the Federal
brigade on Cheat Mountain, was attacked by General Lee of the Secession
army, with a force computed at 9,000 men. The Cheat Mountain Pass lies
between the valley of the South branch of the Potomac river and those of
Elk and Gauley rivers, tributaries of the Great Kanawha.
The first position held by General Reynolds was at the foot of the
mountain, but subsequently two fortifications had been erected on the
summit of two adjacent spurs, seven miles apart by a bridle path, which
were called Cheat Summit and Elk Water. General Reynolds’s headquarters
was at Elk Water, while Colonel Kimball of the Fourteenth Indiana, held
a subordinate command at Cheat Summit.
The enemy was well informed of the position and strength of these
defences, but had no desire to attack General Reynolds in either of his
strongholds. Their leader had hopes, however, of escaping the vigilance
of the Federal commanders by making a detour and marching on beyond, and
was engaged in this enterprise when he met with unexpected reverses.
The two Federal posts were in constant communication by a telegraphic
line, and pickets guarded every avenue of approach.
On the 12th, the enemy, five thousand strong, with eight pieces of
artillery, under command of General R. E. Lee, advanced on this position
by the Huntersville Pike. Our advanced pickets—portions of the Fifteenth
Indiana and Sixth Ohio—gradually fell back to our main picket station;
two companies of the Seventeenth Indiana, under Colonel Hascall,
checking the enemy’s advance at the Point Mountain Turnpike, and then
falling back on the regiment which occupied a very advanced position on
our right front, and which was now ordered in. The enemy threw into the
woods on our left front three regiments, who made their way to the right
and rear of Cheat Mountain, took a position on the road leading to
Huttonville, broke the telegraph wire, and cut off our communication
with Colonel Kimball’s Fourteenth Indiana Cavalry on Cheat Summit.
At the same time an equal force of the enemy advanced by the Staunton
Pike on the front of Cheat Mountain, and threw two regiments to the
right and rear of the mountain, thus uniting with his other column. They
advanced towards the pass, in order to get to the rear of Elkwater, when
three companies of the Thirteenth Indiana, and one from the Fourteenth,
met them. The encounter resulted in the rout and retreat of the enemy.