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The troops retreated in haste, and favored by the delay of the enemy in getting his forces on shore from the shoal water extending so far out, all save twenty or more stragglers had passed the point of debarkation when it had been effected.
The retreat was continued to Hatteras lighthouse, the Confederates pursuing to within a short distance of it. Here the Union troops were reinforced by a regiment from Hatteras Inlet, and here was also found the steam frigate Susquehanna as close to the shore as moderately bold water would allow.
The retreat had been hasty and laborious, and the troops were greatly in want of food and water; their necessities were soon relieved, and when the morning dawned the Confederates took up their line of retreat to some point where a comparatively near approach to the long sand spit upon which they were would enable them to re-embark.
The Monticello, commanded by Lieutenant D. L. Braine , arrived at the lighthouse on the sea face, and was directed to pursue the enemy in retreat.
At 1.30 P. M. of the 5th she came up with a considerable force at Kinekeet, moving north with many stragglers in the rear; two small Confederate steamers were in the inland waters, following as near the island as the depth of the water would allow.
A heavy fire of shells from three guns on board of the Monticello was maintained with great effect, which caused the men to scatter in haste to a clump of trees, beyond which, in the sound, were several of their steamers, upon which the fugitives were taking refuge by means of boats.
The Monticello continued her firing for two hours, when two men were discovered on the beach making signals; a boat was sent near the beach, and one man belonging to the Twentieth Indiana was rescued; the other was unfortunately drowned in the surf.
The Monticello was in three fathoms, as near the beach as the roughness of the water would permit, and guided by the
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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