CHAPTER XVII.

THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION-CAPTURE OF ROAN· OKE ISLAND-CAPTURE OF NEWBERN

-CAPTURE OF FORT MACON.

Force of the Expedition-A Furious Storm-Its Effects-Passing the Bulk Head-Long Detention - Enemy Prepared-Advance to Roanoke Island Its Defenses-The Bombardment and Capture of the Forts—Attack upon and Capture of the Camp-The Spoils-Expedition along the Coast-Occupation of Fort Clinch and Fernandina-Occupation of Jacksonville - Exhibition of Loyal Feeling-The Subsequent Punishment - San Augustine Occupied-Expedition to Newbern - Details of the Battle - Official Report -Importance of the Victory-Bombardment and Capture of Fort Macon,

The capture of Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river, by Com. Foote, occurred on the 6th of February, and that of Roanoke Island, on the coast of North Carolina, on the 7th, 8th and 9th of that month, by the combined land and naval forces, under Gen. Burnside and Com. Goldsborough. The results produced by those two victories were signally important. The former compelled the insurgents to evacuate Columbus and Bowling Green, in Kentucky, on which they had relied for a successful resistance to our forces, and the latter turned their lines, and compelled them to abandon their famous Manassas.

The fleet prepared for this expedition, consisted of one hundred and twenty-five vessels of all classes, thirty-one of which were armed gun-boats, carrying ninety-four guns,-the balance were transport and supply ships.

As this fleet was intended to operate in shallow water, it was therefore intended to use vessels of light draft, obtained

from the commercial marine, refitted for the special duty. Its organization was begun in November, and it was mainly fitted out from Annapolis, Maryland, and concentrated at Fortress Monroe. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside was commander-in-chief of the expedition, and had a land force of about fourteen thousand men. The expedition, in honor of its commander, bore the common appellation of the "Burnside Expedition." It finally sailed from Fortress Monroe, on the 11th and 12th days of January.

Soon after its departure, a violent storm arose, and many of the transports turned back, fearful of their inability to ride out so furious a storm. The leading vessels of the fleet, however, reached Hatteras Inlet, on the 13th, and anchored within it. From that time until the 20th, the storm continued, some of the time with such awful violence as to threaten the entire destruction of the fleet, which was, in consequence,

472

DESCRIPTION OF THE STORM.

widely scattered, some of the vessels lost, and others badly damaged.

During this long and terrible storm, the sufferings and anxieties of the officers and men, were most intense. The following is a graphic description of the storm on the 13th of January, and may serve as a specimen of the other days during which it continued:

"Day broke with a leaden sky, against which the angry, white-crested waves raced their mad career over the reefs of Cape Hatteras, that threw its headland oceanwards but eight miles distant. From our hurricane deck, fourteen steamers could be seen laboring to weather this storm point. How should we fare with our small-powered engine and cockleshell boat! Bravely we breasted on, staggering beneath the giant blows of each successive sea, our decks swept fore and aft, and all on board reeling from side to side like drunken men. One figure stood immovable, grasping by the bits, scanning the horizon for traces of ships, as we rose on each glittering mass of foam. It was the square, manly form of General Burnside, whose anxiety for the fate of his army was intense, many of the vessels on which the troops were embarked, being nothing more than huge top-hampered river steamers, with projecting guards, that would smash up like card-board, if fairly struck by a sea.

"At dark, all hands were startled by the report of a heavy gun, and on reaching the hurricane deck we saw a large brig drifting rapidly on to the bar. As it grew darker, and her outline became less defined, the excitement became intense. It was evident to all, she was in a most critical position, and every moment might be her last. Slowly the black hull rose and fell, each time gliding nearer and nearer to the vortex of white broakers, which, once amongst, nothing we might attempt, could save her. Suddenly a fringe of musketry fire surrounded her bulwarks, blue-lights were burnt in her tops,

DESCRIPTION OF THE STORM.

473

and imagination brought us through the howling blasts, the despairing shrieks of the terrified soldiers crowding her decks. Volley after volley succeeded each other in rapid succession, and yet apparently we could not help her; none dared face the tempest, and, perhaps, share her doom. General Burnside boarded every steam-tug in the harbor; offered any reward, and also to go himself, but all held back. Were three hundred fellow-men to be launched into eternity, their death-cries in our ears, and yet no effort made to save them? Hurrah! one brave seaman volunteered to take his little steamer out. General Burnside jumped on board of her, but at the earnest entreaties of his friends, he delegated the honor of his position to a member of his staff.

"We anchored north of the Inlet, in company with three barks, three ships, a brig, and a dozen or more schooners. Here we lay, pitching and rolling, until Wednesday morning, when the wind died out, leaving a heavy ground-swell."

The ships that entered the Inlet could not be taken over what is called "The Bulkhead" during the storm, and being only partially protected from its fury, were more or less damaged by collision and by being grounded.

The 20th and 21st were comparatively calm, but on the 22d the storm re-commenced with increased fury. The fearful perils and terrible sufferings from it, can be properly depioted by those only, who saw and felt its unrelenting fury. We therefore transcribe such a description of the storm of the 23d:

"Twelve o'clock, and no sign of the gale abating. As far as the eye can discern through the drifting mist, the bay is one broad sheet of white foam, resembling a plain of newly-fallen snow. Dark clouds sweep down the north, and, with their murky edges, seem almost to touch the vessels' masts as they go careening by, casting their gloomy shadows over the fleet, which sways and staggers under the mighty storm. A single