The Roanoke fight,
additional particulars.
description of the fight.
bravery of General Anderson.
&c., &c., &c.
[Special Correspondence of the Dispatch.] Norfolk, February 12, 1862.
We glean the following addtional particulars from a member of the Ben McCulloch Rangers, who participated in the fight at Roanoke Island.
He states that, on Friday, about eighty ships have in sight, about fifty opening a heavy cannonade on the Island about half-past 8 o'clock, which was kept up until dark.
A number of their ships were only about two miles off, and, though their fire was very fierce, little or no damage was done to the batteries.
On Saturday very few guns were fired from the shipping.
The enemy effected a landing at the east end of the island early in the morning, and marched up towards our entrenchments.
About 9 o'clock the Richmond Blues, Ben McCulloch Rangers, and Capt. Coles's company, who had been sent out in advance, met the enemy, whom they supposed numbered about 6,000, and, when within good distance, opened a heavy fire of infantry, which told with effect upon the ranks of the enemy.
The enemy, who were being constantly reinforced, moved rapidly forward, and our three companies fell back to their entrenchments.
We then opened a howitzer and a volley of musketry on them, which cut down the ranks of the enemy most fearfully, and their shrieks and groans could be heard distinctly and were frightful to hear.
He then tried to flank us, and we drove him back.
The New York Zouaves, especially, were driven into the river up to their necks.
Rallying, they came up the third time and closed in upon us at the entrenchments, and, after spiking the guns, we retreated, constantly turning to give them fire.
While on the retreat, we were reinforced by a Georgia regiment.
The enemy opened a heavy volley of infantry, and all retreated in confusion.
Col. Anderson, in the midst of the fight, rode up to Col. Shaw, and asked for reinforcements; but Col. Shaw replied that it was useless to contest with such overwhelming numbers.
On receiveing this answer, Col. Anderson sat down for a moment and cried bitterly; then taking his sword, he broke it in pieces, got upon his horse, and rode off. He is supposed to have been taken prisoner.
All agree in awarding to Col. Anderson the highest bravery.
C. Jennings Wise, of your city, was among the bravest of the field.
He was shot in the back and thigh, and nobly fell urging his men on. He was picked up in a blanket, and while being carried to the hospital, was pierced by two of the enemy's balls, which killed him.
It will ever be a pleasure to record the bravery of Col. Anderson and Capt. Wise--Nobly and well did they breast the shock of the encounter, despite the fury of the battle.
And to our brave troops must be accorded all the honors of the soldier.
Side by side with their gallant commanders, they fought with unflinching courage.
And to those noble spirits slain, history will not be silent — Though dead, the memory of their deeds is embalmed in every Southern heart.
Lieutenants Jones and Haslett, of the Rangers, are captured.
Lieut. Wise, of Wise's Legion, arrived in our city yesterday.
Commissary's Sergeant Rice, of Col. Shaw's regiment, was captured.
Capt. Cole was shot through the head and died instantly.
Gen. Wise is safe and recovering from his illness Major Huff is supposed to be captured.
About sixty escaped of our men, the rest were either taken prisoners or killed.
Five of the Rangers escaped, four are with Gen. Wise--two sergeants, one corporal, and two privates; the two privates are in the city.
Wm. Selden, son of Dr. Selden, of our city, was killed while bravely defending the battery.
Thus we close the scene of this fearful contest.
The number killed and wounded on our side we cannot say; that of the enemy, by thier own confession, is about one thousand.
Think of our little Spartan band opposing overwhelming odds; think of the tenacity with which they stood to their battery, never leaving it until the overwhelming force of the enemy, compelled them to retreat; witness the courage and intrepid bravery with which they encountered the foe while on the field.
Had we been reinforced by three regiments the enemy must have been whipped.
Three times were the New York Zouaves repulsed, driven in the water, and nearly drowned.
Lieut. Buell, at Old Point, on receiving the news that one thousand of the Yankees had been killed, replied, he did not care a d.--n how many were killed, so they won the day. These are the cowardly ruffians we fight; and it becomes the people of the whole South to awaken to the importance of this disaster.
I am most happy to relieve the anxiety of many of your readers, by stating that but very few, as far as known, of the Richmond Blues were killed, most of them having been taken prisoners.
The enemy at Roanoke Island has captured three of our gunboats, among them the Fanny.
When our informant left the Stars and Stripes were waving at the mast-head of each.
By good fortune, we saved three. One--the Forrest — we succeeded in burning, to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy.
It is reported, but not generally confirmed, that Capt. McCarrick and son are captured.
Our little gun-boats fought well, while our battery succeeded in sinking three or four of the enemy's shipping.
One midshipman had his arm shot off, another was killed.
The enemy is reported six or eight miles from South Mills, with a strong force.
It behooves our authorities to act as hastily and judiciously as possible.
Luna.
Another account.
Norfolk, Feb. 12.
The excitement occasioned by the defeat at Roanoke Island has measurably subsided.
An opinion seems to prevail that there has been inefficiency, a lack of skill, or criminal neglect somewhere — perhaps all combined.
I am not yet prepared, judging from the facts in my possession, to charge any person with negligence or incapacity in regard to this important battle.
It has been fought under every possible disadvantage.
It was a gallant and brilliant attempt to defend Southern soil from the usurpers who seek to deprive us of our homes.
The responsibility rests upon some person.
And it may be found, under all the circumstances of the affair, that the defeat will result to the advantage of the Southern cause.
Our troops are rapidly re-enlisting, and thousands will rush in to rally around the standard of liberty, and to defend our soil from the aggressive march of our mercenary foes.
Judging from the facts already elicited in regard to the battle at Roanoke Island, I unhesitatingly assert that greater bravery and a more determined resistance have not been made during the war, than by the inconsiderable force placed at the disposal of General Wise.
It was the most unequal contest of the war, and the fighting was almost equal in desperation to any on record.
The most important facts relative to our fleet and its fate have been furnished you by telegraph.
It is believed that the Beanfort, Raleigh, and Empire escaped, or at least reached the south and of the Dismal Swamp canal.
That our gunboats should have lacked a sufficiency of ammunition, is lamentable, and indicates a want of foresight, if not unpardonable neglect.
But upon whom the responsibility rested, I am not sufficiently advised to say now. The blame will soon enough be placed where it should lie.
I am gratified to state that indomitable partiot, statesman, and orator, General Wise, escaped from the clutches of those who so earnestly desired to have him in their
power. The condition of his health is improving, and if he is properly sustained in his active efforts to defend the position he has taken, the Yankees will make but little progress towards the railroads of Virginia and North Carolina for the purpose of cutting off our supplies.
The death of Capt. O. J. Wise, of the Blues, of your city, and well known for his gallantry and commanding talents, is much lamented here, as it will be wherever he was known, and his true worth of character properly appreciated.
It is stated that after he was wounded, and while he was being borne from the field, a ball from the gun of a Federal soldier passed through his body, and that he died almost instantly.
Other gallant men have fallen in this engagement, where ten thousand Federal troops swarmed around a thousand as brave men as ever met upon a battle field.
If the wretch Doe, who is siad to have deserted and gone to the enemy, and given information of our forces and fortifications, was really suspected before he got off to the enemy, he should have been promptly arrested, and held in custody until the battle was over.
Surely, he should at the first moment of suspicion have been put in irons and vigilantly watched.
The statement that Edenton has fallen into the hands of the enemy is not confirmed, although it is believed that the Yankees will soon attempt to take possession not only of the handsome town alluded to, but also of others along the Sound coast and up the tributary rivers.
There was communication yesterday with Fort Monroe, by flag of truce; and the steamer West Point, Capt. Reeve, which went down, brought up 395 prisoners released from Fort Warren, viz:
| Commissioned officers. | 13 |
| Non-fommissined--Ordnance Sergeant. | 1 |
| Independent Grays | 24 |
| Roanoke Guards | 46 |
| Morris Guards | 24 |
| Tar River Boys | 48 |
| Hamilton Guard | 35 |
| Hertford Light Infantry | 37 |
| Washington Greys | 39 |
| Lenoir Braves | 31 |
| North Carolina Defenders | 21 |
| Jonesville Guard | 45 |
| From Santa Rosa | 22 |
| Virginia troops from Potomac | 8 |
| 395 |
