From North Carolina.
the attack upon Elizabeth City--"Short of Ammunition" --firing the Town, &c.[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
Camden C. H., N. C., Feb. 25th, 1862.
Though somewhat late, it may interest your readers to have a correct account of the attack upon Elizabeth City
The Yankees took us rather by surprise.
The small battery of four 32-pounders at Cobb's Point was in a state of incompletion — it would have taken two days more to complete it. Eleven of the Yankee gunboats came up about seven o'clock on the morning of the 10th. Six of our gallant little fleet was lying between the city and the battery.
Gen. Henningsen's battery of light artillery was placed about half mile in the rear of the heavy battery to prevent land forces from cutting us off. The enemy came up within half a mile before they opened upon us — at that distance giving us a perfect shower of 32-pound rifle shell.
Our little fleet opened a hot fire on them, as did also the battery.
The enemy advanced rapidly.
The air was loaded with shells.
The battery held out until two boats had passed and our ammunition had given out. The fleet (ours) still fought most gallantly, retreating the while.
The fleets came so near to each other that small arms were used most effectually; but the supply of ammunition was very small, and soon gave out, when, of course, they retreated as best they could up the river.
Three escaped, one was burnt, one taken, and one sunk.
When the ammunition at the battery gave out, Commodore Lynch, with his men, retreated through the woods After going a short distance, a ball struck a large limb, which fall and killed two men. After the enemy had passed the battery, Gen. Henningeen, at the request of the citizens, sent a detail to burn the town.
They had succeeded in burning twenty or thirty houses, when Sergeant Soruggs, who was in charge, saw a steamer heave to the wharf, and, taking it for one of our fleet, requested the men to assist him in the discharge of his duties.
It turned out to be one of the Yankee beats, and of course he was immediately seised — Our forces lost but few things--one baggage wagon, a caisson, and Lieut, Gilmer (Aid to the General) lost a horse, The exact loss of men on the fleets I cannot tell, 