Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 2.

[169] and its vicinity were under the command of Brigadier-General H. A. Wise, the Department commander being Major-General Benjamin Huger, of South Carolina, whose Headquarters were at Norfolk. Owing to the illness of .General Wise, who was at Nag's head, on a narrow strip of sand lying between Roanoke Sound and the sea, that stretches down from the main far above, Colonel H. M. Shaw, of the Eighth North Carolina regiment, was in chief command of the forces on the Island. These consisted of his own regiment; the Thirty-first North Carolina Volunteers, under Colonel J. V. Jordan; three companies of the Seventeenth North Carolina, under Major G. H. Hill. And four hundred and fifty men, under Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson.

Benjamin Huger.

several batteries had been erected on prominent points of the shores of Roanoke, which commanded the Sounds on its eastern and western sides; and upon its narrowest part, between Shallowbag Bay and Croatan Sound, was a strong redoubt and intrenched camp, extending across the road that traversed the middle of the Island. These several fortifications mounted about forty heavy guns. There were batteries also on the main, commanding the channels of Croatan Sound.

vessels had been sunk in the main channel of Croatan Sound, and heavy stakes had been driven in its waters from the main to the Island, to obstruct the passage of vessels. Above these obstructions was a flotilla of small gun-boats — a sort of “Musquito fleet” like that of Tatnall at Port Royal--eight in number, and carrying eleven guns. These were commanded by Lieutenant W. F. Lynch, late of the National navy, who had abandoned his flag, received a Commodore's commission from the conspirators, and was now charged with the defense of the coast of North Carolina.

after a reconnaissance, Commodore Goldsborough slowly moved his fleet of seventy vessels, formed on the morning of the 5th of February,

1862.

toward Croatan Sound, fifteen of the gun-boats leading, under the immediate command of Rowan, and followed by the armed transports. On the following day Lynch sent the Curlew, Captain Hunter, to reconnoiter the approaching fleet, and her Commander reported it at anchor six miles below Roanoke Island. That evening was dark and misty, and the morning of the 7th was lowery for a time. At length the sun broke forth in splendor, and at about ten o'clock Goldsborough, hoisting the signal, “this day our country expects every man to do his duty,” advanced his gun-boats in three columns, the first being led by the Stars and Stripes, Lieutenant Werden; the second by the Louisiana, Commander Alexander Murray; and the third by the Hetzel, Lieutenant H. R. Davenport. Goldsborough made the South-field his flag-ship.

at eleven o'clock, a bombardment was opened upon Fort Bartow, on Pork