[Special Correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Norfolk, Feb, 11.
Accounts from
North Carolina are conflicting.
It seems entirely certain that
Elizabeth City has been burned by the inhabitants, who are scattered about the country.
It is doubtful, however, that the
Yankees landed a large force after the burning and desertion of the town.
The first account of our fleet was that the gun-boats had all been captured by the enemy; another, that the
Confederate officers burned them; and it is stated this morning that five of our gun-boats were certainly captured by the Lincolnites, and that three of them have, thus far, escaped.
Gen. Wise, I learn, has arrived at
South Mills, near the
Virginia line, and is slowly progressing towards this city.
It is asserted that
Capt. O. J. Wise is certainly among the killed, and also that he was dangerously wounded, but was not killed.
It is stated that
Wm. Selden, a son of
Dr. Wm. Selden, of this city, was killed at one of the guns.
He was a very competent engineer, and held in high estimation for his gentlemanly character, courage; and intelligence.
I learn that
Capt. John S. Taylor, of this city, who fought at our field pieces, distinguished himself by his coolness, bravery, the precision, and the death-dealing effect with which his guns were served, sweeping down the swarming ranks of the enemy at every fire.
Capt. O. J. Wise's company fought with cigar-like ferocity, and a desperation conquerable only by death.
This gallant company suffered severely, but, I hope, not to the extent reported.
That all excepting seven of those gallant and brave-hearted
Virginians should have been placed
hors da combet, is almost unparallel in the history of this unhallowed war upon the
South--a war of injustice, aggression, and blood, which will be, are long, revenged by a people now be coming more, determined and firm and more fixed in the unchanging resolve to take blood for blood.
The particulars and most important facts relative to the
battle of Roanoke Island, will be given at an early day. It is not at all consolatory, though it should not discourage any true Southerner.
The wonder is, that the
Yankees have been so slow about any attack in that section, eager as they are to get
Norfolk,
Portsmouth, and the
Navy Yard.
They are possibly seeking now to and their way hither, or perhaps hoping to starve us out. A few days may be sufficient to show their designs.
I think they will be compelled to remain upon
Roanoke Island, or close down to the water's edge, for the war feeling is aroused here, and many a noble son of old
Virginia and the Old North State is hurrying to points endangered and menaced by the enemies of liberty.
The reports from Carolina are still vague and uncertain; various opinions are expressed relative to the battle and present state of affairs down at the
Sound, and a deep seated feeling of resistance to the last is evident, judging from the bane of public sentiment.
P. S.--
Captain O. J. Wise is, I learn, certainly dead.
The Roanoke Island defeat — capture of our fleet — Elizabeth City burned by our own troops.
[from the Norfolk day book, Feb, 11.]
A courier arrived here yesterday afternoon, about three o'clock, from whom we gather the following information:
The enemy in full force advanced upon
Elizabeth City yesterday, about seven o'clock, and began an attack upon that place.
The citizens finding resistance vain, evacuated the place, but before doing so set fire to the town, and when our informant left it was still in flames.
We have also to record the capture by the enemy of all our little fleet except the ‘"
Fanny"’ or ‘"
Forrest,"’ our informant was not certain which.
This beat eluded the enemy and made up the
Pasquotank river.
She was, however, pursued, and fears are entertained that she, too, has been captured.
It is said that before our boats were surrendered they were abandoned, and that the crews succeeded in making their escape.
If this be so, we are at a loss to conjecture why they were not fired before being abandoned.
The disaster to our little fleet is attributed to the fact that, having exhausted their supply of coal and ammunition, they proceeded to
Elizabeth City for the purpose of obtaining a supply.
Every effort was made to obtain coal, but without success, and on this account the fleet was unable to return to the
Island or lend any assistance whatever to our forces.
All the details as published with reference to the capture of
Roanoke Island are confirmed by this courier.
He represents our loss at about three hundred killed and wounded, and states that of the enemy could not have been less than a thousand killed Great havoc was made among them while coming up the road leading to the fort.
Our forces brought to bear upon them two 32 pounders, and at every fire their ranks were, terribly thinned.
The places of the fallen, however, were quickly filled.
Pork Point Battery was manned by the Richmond Blues, and most nobly did they defend it. During the conflict they were attacked by a whole regiment of Zouaves, and though completely overpowered they stood their ground bravely, nor did they yield a root until all the command save seven fell bleeding to the ground.
There is good reason to believe that had
Col. Henningsen, with his artillery, been on the island, we should not have been forced to surrender it. The lack of field pieces was very sadly felt, and bad they been at hand, the enemy, perhaps, would never have been able to have landed their forces
Col. Henningsen had orders, we understand, to report at
Roanoke Island, but by some misunderstanding by
miss K. Elizabeth City for his destination.
It is to be deeply regretted that this error should have been made, as the
Colonel is a brave and efficient officer, and we are satisfied that had he been present the foe would have been compelled to acknowledge his prowess.
Captain Taylor, of this city, in represented as distinguishing himself for his coolness and bravery.
He fought the enemy like a tiger, and not an inch of ground was yielded by him without its being well disputed.
In addition to the above there are many rumors which we might give, but as they are nothing more than rumors, we prefer withholding them.
Among them there one, however, which is worthy of notice, and that is, that
Gen. Wise had been shot while in an ambulance, on his way to this city.
There is no truth whatever for this statement, so far as we have been able to learn; and we can only account for it by supposing that the name of the
General was confounded with that of his son, who was reported among the killed.
To-morrow we hope to be able to gather some additional items, which we will of course give the reader the benefit of. In the meantime, while this disaster is not at all agreeable, let us not allow it to dispirit us too much.
Let us hope that out of evil good will eventually come; and let us resolve upon even more determination for the future than we have felt and acted in the past.
