Daniel Ammen, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.2, The Atlantic Coast
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

From the 25th of June to the capture of Hatteras Inlet, on the 28th of August, one bark, seven brigs, and eight schooners had been captured by ‘privateers’ or Confederate cruisers, and had been brought into the inlet.

The flag-ship proceeded to New York on the 30th with the prisoners on board; the Pawnee and Monticello remained at the inlet, the remainder of the vessels proceeded to different points of blockade, the company of regulars returned to Fortress Monroe, and the other troops remained as a garrison until further orders. Hatteras Inlet became a depot of supplies for coal and the other wants of vessels blockading, and in the coming months a centre of operations. As soon as necessary surroundings were satisfactorily arranged, Commander Rowan, of the Pawnee, became active.

On the 16th of September he sent Lieutenant Maxwell to the fort commanding Ocracoke Inlet, situated on Beacon Island, some twenty miles distant. He was in command of the army tug Fanny, and carried 61 men belonging to what was known as the naval brigade, commanded by Colonel Hawkins.

The launch of the Pawnee was in tow, manned by 22 sailors and 6 marines, armed with a 12-pounder howitzer, commanded by Lieutenant Eastman. The fort was situated on the sea face of Beacon Island, and was found deserted. It was octagonal, having in the centre a bombproof one hundred feet square, with the magazine within, and four large water-tanks directly over it. Twenty platforms for guns were partially destroyed by fire; the gun-carriages had been burned, four VIII-inch navy shell-guns, and fourteen heavy 32-pounders were found; two guns had been carried away the previous day. The men were landed