Roanoke Island 
 
 ITS 
 
 OCCUPATION 
 
 DEFENSE 
 
 AND FALL 
 
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ROANOKE ISLAND, 
 
 Occupation, D efense and F all 
 
 LUIS F. EMILIO 
 
 (23d Mass. Infantry). 
 
 A PAPER READ BEFORE 
 
 Roanoke Associates, 
 
 New York City, Feb. 9TH, 1891. 
 
 Printed for the Associates. 
 1891. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2013 
 
 http://archive.org/details/roanokeislanditsOOemil 
 
ROANOKE ISLAND. 
 
 Before the first gun was fired against Fort Sumter, citizens 
 of North Carolina seized Forts Johnson and Caswell. Gov. 
 Clark, on April 15th, 1861, refused to furnish the quota of 
 State troops called for by the National Government, and soon 
 the Militia took possession of Fort Macon and the U. S. 
 Arsenal at Fayetteville. North Carolina formally seceded on 
 May 20th. Hatteras and Ocracoke Inlets were fortified by the 
 Confederates, but fell into our hands in August. To maintain 
 control of the sounds and rivers the "Mosquito Fleet," under 
 Flag-Officer W. F. Lynch, was formed, composed of seven light- 
 draught tugs, formerly used on the canals, armed with two 
 guns each. 
 
 Hearing that Hatteras was threatened Maj.-Gen. Huger, at 
 Norfolk, sent the 3d Georgia, Col. A. R. Wright, there. But 
 on reaching Roanoke Island, news was received that Hatteras 
 had fallen. This regiment then landed and proceeded to for- 
 tify Roanoke Island. Soon Maj. G. H. Hill, with three com- 
 panies of the 17th N. C, reported to Col. Wright, and, late in 
 September, the 8th N. C, Col. H. M. Shaw, arrived at the 
 post. 
 
 Roanoke guarded Albemarle and Currituck Sounds from 
 
 attack by way of Pamlico Sound. It covered the great 
 
 "^ Chowan and Roanoke rivers, besides six smaller streams, four 
 
 ^ 
 
 Moll 
 
canals and two railroads. Norfolk's supplies of pork, corn 
 and forage were drawn from this region. Its loss threatened 
 Norfolk, the Gosport Navy Yard and railroad communication 
 from Richmond to the South. 
 
 Col. Wright seems to have been a bold and energetic 
 soldier. Before orders came for him to remain on the defen- 
 sive he twice made our forces at Hatteras feel his proximity. 
 On October ist, with 150 men on three steamers, he captured 
 the army tug " Fanny," with two guns and forty-seven soldiers. 
 Four days after he landed at Chicamacomico and compelled 
 the retirement of the 20th Ind. to Hatteras, with the loss of 
 forty prisoners and their camp. He retreated to his boats 
 harassed by the gunboat " Monticello," and returned to 
 Roanoke Island. Thereafter he labored upon the defenses of 
 his post and the construction of permanent quarters. 
 
 Upon the arrival of the 31st N. C. at the island, Dec. 12th, 
 Col. Wright and his regiment departed and Col. Shaw, 8th 
 N. C, took command. Later in the same month Roanoke 
 was transferred from the department of North Carolina to 
 that of Norfolk, and Brig.-Gen. Henry A. Wise, Ex-Governor 
 of Virginia, was appointed to take charge of that district. 
 
 Having ordered his brigade, known as "Wise's Legion," to 
 proceed to Roanoke, Wise himself arrived there January 6th, 
 1862. After inspecting the defenses he found not a fort in 
 the proper place. They should have been, in his opinion, 
 located at the south end instead of the north. He believed 
 that the Federal Force, then at Hatteras, with the navy, could 
 land a portion of the troops at Pugh's or Ashby's, pass the 
 batteries around the north end and gain their rear without 
 exchanging a shot. The troops were found insufficient in 
 number, badly armed, poorly drilled and unpaid. He thought 
 
3,000 infantry and eight field guns were needed there, besides 
 1,500 men on the ocean beaches. 
 
 Hurrying back to Norfolk, Wise, in verbal communications 
 and written reports to Gen. Huger and the Secretary of War, 
 set forth the result of his observations, and was unceasing in 
 his efforts to have these officers expedite the defenses and 
 re-enforce him. Some of his recommendations were approved, 
 but nothing was done, although he wrote the Secretary of 
 War, " Delay is defeat now at Roanoke Island, and, with the 
 present means, Capt. Lynch and I combined, cannot guarantee 
 successful defense for a day." Wise returned to Nag's Head, 
 opposite Roanoke Island, on January 30th, and but once 
 again visited the island, for, on February 1st, he was seized 
 with an attack of pleurisy, threatening pneumonia. When 
 taken from the Head, February 8th, he was so weak that he 
 was placed prostrate in a wagon. 
 
 Roanoke, when attacked, was defended as follows : On the 
 west shore, at Pork Point, was Fort Bartow, with nine 32- 
 pounder guns ; further north, Fort Blanchard, mounting 
 four 32-pounders, and furthest north, Fort Huger, mount- 
 ing twelve 32-pounders. On the east shore was Fort Ellis, of 
 two 32-pounders. At Suple's Hill (which, however, was not 
 a hill), in the centre of the island, was Fort Defiance. It was 
 a redoubt, or breastwork, built across the road. On its right 
 was a swamp, and on its left a marsh. The work was some 
 seventy or eighty feet long with a six-foot parapet, pierced 
 with three embrasures for field guns. In front, for some 600 
 yards, the ground had been cleared of timber. Across 
 Croatan Sound, at Redstone Point, was Fort Forrest, mount- 
 ing seven 32-pounders. A barrier of piles extended from the 
 east side of Fulker's Shoals toward the island, but with a gap 
 
of 1,700 yards opposite Fort Bartow. Some vessels had been 
 sunk and piles driven on the west side of Fulker's Shoals. 
 Col. Shaw had, after manning the forts, but 1,024 ran k an d 
 file. There were three field-pieces — one 24-pounder, one 18- 
 pounder and a 6-pounder, with only 12 -pounder ammunition 
 for the two heavier guns. 
 
 Gen. A. E. Burnside's " Coast Division, Army of the Poto- 
 mac," was under organization at Annapolis, Maryland. It 
 had been Gen. McClellan's original purpose to employ it on 
 the Potomac River and the Chesapeake. But as time passed 
 he determined to give it a wider range of operations. From 
 various causes it was not possible to move the division until 
 January, 1862. On the 7th Gen. Burnside received his instruc- 
 tions, which were to first essay Roanoke in conjunction with 
 the naval vessels of Flag-Officer Louis M. Goldsborough, then 
 to attack New Berne and Fort Macon. If successful, he 
 might be called upon to advance against Goldsborough and 
 possibly, Raleigh. 
 
 Burnside's expedition sailed from Fort Monroe January 1 ith, 
 on forty-seven transports carrying some 11,500 troops. There 
 was a fleet of supply vessels and it was accompanied by some 
 thirty-one steam gunboats. After enduring terrible weather, 
 the vessels succeeded in making Hatteras Inlet with the loss 
 of some craft. There, owing to the sandbars and a contin- 
 uance of bad weather for many days during which the troops, 
 crowded on transports, endured much hardship, the fleet was 
 only ready for movement February 5th. 
 
 While perfectly aware of this formidable expedition, and its 
 time of sailing, the Confederates were at a loss to know our 
 exact objective. Even after it was heard from at Hatteras, 
 the weather had been so severe, and disasters so many, that 
 
they regarded it for a time as a failure before it had delivered 
 its stroke. 
 
 But at 8 a. m., February 6th, the Confederates at Ashby's 
 Landing on Roanoke Island, consisting of two companies 
 with two guns, saw, dimly through the fog, four or five Union 
 vessels rconnoitering in the distance. When the fog lifted, 
 some sixty craft were discovered at anchor eight or ten miles 
 away. The fact was reported to Gen. Wise at Nag's Head, 
 and he ordered Col. Shaw to dispute a landing at the water's 
 edge, and extend the breastwork at Suple's Hill. Shaw at 
 once sent two more companies to Ashby's, another to Fort 
 Forrest and moved his main force to Suple's Hill. There his 
 troops bivouacked for the night, with detachments at Pugh's 
 and Ashby's with field pieces. His 17th N. C. was garrison- 
 ing the forts. 
 
 When day dawned, February 7th, the fog was heavy, but at 
 9 a. m. it dispersed and the fleet was seen in motion. It came 
 on in two divisions, the rear one having the schooner trans- 
 ports in tow. Maj. Williamson, with his detachment and gun 
 at Pugh's, was ordered to remain so long as there was danger 
 of our landing, but if none was attempted, to move up to 
 Ashby's. There Col. Jordan was stationed with a detachment 
 and two guns, and as the fleet passed on to engage the batte- 
 ries, he was directed by Col. Shaw to fight at the water's edge 
 if we tried to land, but to retire to Suple's Hill if it was neces- 
 sary in order to save his field pieces. 
 
 Passing Ashby's, the gunboats engaged the west batter- 
 ies. Maj. G. H. Hill, commanding Fort Bartow, at 11.30 
 opened as the fleet came in range, firing slowly at first with 
 four guns, but, when the vessels fell back masking one of them, 
 with only three on the left flank. Capt. John S. Taylor, in 
 
8 
 
 charge of Fort Blanchard, fired but eight shots from his rifled 
 pieces, as our vessels were out of his range. After six hours 
 bombardment Bartow is reported to have sustained but little 
 damage. Early in the action, however, the quarters were set 
 on fire and destroyed, with the small arms of the garrison. 
 The Confederates lost one killed and four wounded. 
 
 After entering the Sound, our vessels assailed the Confed- 
 erate gunboats as well as the batteries. Lynch feared that his 
 small vessels would be demolished. The " Curlew " was 
 struck by a shell and driven to the shelter of Fort Forrest, and 
 the " Forrest " was disabled, its master, Hoole, being wounded 
 in the head. Two midshipmen each lost an arm and some 
 three others were wounded. When the action closed the am- 
 munition of Lynch 's gunboats was exhausted. His flagship, 
 the " Sea Bird," had not a charge. 
 
 Observing a boat approaching the shore in the afternoon, 
 apparently taking soundings, Col. Jordan sent Capt. Liles and 
 25 men to intercept it. The party had landed when Liles' 
 men fired on them, whereupon they retired. This is known 
 to be the boat party which Lt. Andrews, 9th N. Y., conducted 
 so gallantly. About 5 p. m. the Federals were seen in steam- 
 ers and barges loaded with troops drawing inshore towards 
 Hammond's house, between which point and where Col. Jor- 
 dan was stationed at Ashby's, a marsh impassable for artillery 
 intervened. Fearful of being cut off and that his men would 
 become confused under the shelling they were subjected to, 
 Jordan retired to save his field guns. In his retreat he was 
 joined by Maj. Williamson's detachment coming from Pugh's; 
 and the whole force proceeded to Suple's Hill. The troops 
 there under Col. Shaw were increased by the arrival of Lt.- 
 Col. Frank P. Anderson, with four companies of the 46th, 
 
and eight companies of the 59th Va., sent as reenforcements 
 by Gen. Wise. 
 
 It was by this time nearly dark. As there were no en- 
 trenching tools, the breastwork could not be extended. The 
 redoubt was overlaid with pine branches. Men were sent out 
 to cover the battery and scouts to discover the location of the 
 Federals. These latter returned reporting they had wounded 
 one of the enemy and secured his gun. A picket of 20 men 
 from the Legion (Anderson's men) under Capt. O. Jennings 
 Wise, a son of Gen. Wise, was posted. The night passed 
 quietly. It was intensely dark with incessant rain after 11 
 p. M. 
 
 Some 4,000 Federals had landed from barges in twenty 
 minutes near Hammond's house. After scouring the vicinity, 
 the 2 1 st Mass., Lt.-Col. A. C. Maggi, was posted, picketing 
 the front. No fires were allowed the 21st men and every half 
 hour they silently fell into line. Before midnight the whole 
 division was ashore, with six naval howitzers under Midship- 
 man B. F. Porter, and two small guns under Capt. E. G. Dray- 
 ton of the " Highlander." Five of Porter's guns were sent 
 out to support the 21st Mass. 
 
 Early February 8th, Company A, 59th Va., was sent from 
 Suple's Hill to relieve Capt. Wise's pickets. Soon they re- 
 turned, reporting our advance in force. Capt. Wise, with his 
 own Company A, 46th Va. (Richmond Light Infantry), Capt. 
 Robert Cole's Company C, 46th Va., and Lt. Hazlett's Com- 
 pany A, 59th Va. (Ben. McCullough Rangers), were sent to 
 the left and front of redoubt to skirmish. Their right was 
 considered impassable, but some 10 men of the Legion were 
 dispatched to watch that flank. Capt. Schermerhorn com- 
 manded the 24-pounder on their right, Lt. T. C. Kenney, the 
 
i8-pounder on their left, and Lt. W. B. Selden, Engr. Dept., 
 the 6-pounder at the center embrasure. As the work only 
 held some 200 men, Capt. Whitson's Company B, 8th N. C, 
 Capt. Liles' Company B, and Capt. Knight's Company F, 
 31st N. C, alone held position there with the gun detach- 
 ments. The remainder of Col. Shaw's force was posted some 
 250 yards back, in reserve. 
 
 Gen. Foster moved to the attack at 7.30 a.m., the 25th Mass. 
 leading, with Company A, Capt. Josiah Pickett, skirmishing, 
 supported by Company E, Capt. Thos. O'Neill. Reaching a 
 small clearing, the Confederate pickets fired and fell back on 
 a run. Following the narrow and winding road through low 
 ground covered with small pines and undergrowth, our force 
 came to the open space in front of the redoubt. There the 
 road turned to the left and ran on over a causeway to the 
 battery. 
 
 The 25th Mass. deployed into line with the 23rd Mass. in 
 support. Porter's howitzers went into battery on or near the 
 road, with Drayton's 12 -pounder in reserve. Gen. Foster was 
 close by the guns overlooking the field. It was 8 a.m. as the 
 action opened with musketry and cannon shots, the enemy 
 replying mainly from Wise's skirmishers and a steady gun fire. 
 As the 27th Mass. and 10th Conn, came into line on the left 
 and front, they could only find space to deliver their fire by 
 companies. Foster's Brigade was now all engaged except the 
 24th Mass., detained by their transport grounding. The 23d 
 Mass. followed by the 27th Mass. were then sent to turn the 
 enemy's left through the swamp. Reno's regiments were 
 coming up in the following order: 21st Mass., 51st N. Y., 9th 
 N. J., and 51st Pa. 
 
 Whenever the Confederates thought we were massing or 
 
preparing for an advance, their shots swelled out into heavier 
 firing. The skirmishers of the Legion were forced back into 
 line with the battery on the flank. Capt. Wise was struck, and, 
 while being carried from the field in a blanket, received two 
 other wounds. 
 
 Reno was now sent to turn the enemy's right; the 21st Mass. 
 leading in, followed by the other regiments in order. To re- 
 enforce the three Confederate companies holding the redoubt, 
 Companies E and K, 59th Virginia, and Company E, 8th N. C, 
 were brought from the reserves. Crossing the open ground 
 they ran the gauntlet of our heavy fire, by which one officer 
 was killed and three wounded. Porter's gun ammuni- 
 tion becoming rapidly expended, Gen. Foster ordered a 
 supply kept of ten rounds per gun ; but Porter continued 
 to fire a shot every two minutes against the enemy's re- 
 serves. 
 
 Parke's 5th R. I. Battalion had been sent to occupy Ashby's 
 house, and the 8th Conn, was detached to hold the landing at 
 Hammond's. So Parke only brought up the 4th R. I. and 
 9th N. Y. Rodman led the 4th R. I. across the clearing to 
 support the 27th Mass. on our right in the swamp. The 10th 
 Conn, relieved the 25th Mass. in Foster's front as its cartridges 
 were exhausted. 
 
 By 10.30 a.m. the heavy odds against the Confederates 
 began to tell. Capt. Coles of the Legion was killed by a shot 
 in the breast. At 11 o'clock Lt. Selden, struck by a ball in 
 the head, fell dead beside his 6-pounder without a groan. 
 Capt. Whitson, on the right of the redoubt, at 11.30, was 
 obliged to double back his men to diminish the front exposed, 
 having by that hour lost two men killed and four wounded. 
 Reno had proceeded to Gen. Foster's station, and, meeting 
 
Gen. Parke, the final plan for the assault was determined 
 upon. 
 
 It was now just after midday. Reno's men had pushed 
 through the Swamp and flanked the redoubt. Only some ioo 
 yards of open ground intervened between them and the earth- 
 work, into the rear of which they were firing. On our right 
 the four leading companies of the 23d Mass. had struggled 
 through wood and water to the edge of the marsh and opened 
 a fusilade, raking the Confederate line. In front the Federals 
 still poured in their musketry. 
 
 Such was the situation when the Confederates retreated. 
 Col. Shaw thus speaks of the event: " An unceasing and effec- 
 tive fire was kept up from 7 a.m. until 12.20, when our artillery 
 ammunition, having been exhausted and our right flank having 
 been turned by an overwhelming force of the enemy, I was 
 compelled to yield the place." At about the same time the 
 enemy retired, the Federals charged the work, securing the 
 guns but no prisoners, except one or two wounded men. 
 
 Gen. Foster, in his report says " After the engagement 
 (which commenced at 8 o'clock) had lasted three and a half 
 hours, the 9th N. Y. (the last of Gen. Parke's regiments) 
 coming on the field followed by the 24th Mass., I directed 
 Gen. Parke to order it to charge. The order was given and 
 the regiment charged at a run with yells, cheered by the other 
 troops, right up the road to the battery. Maj. Kimball of the 
 regiment, exhibited marked gallantry, leading the charge by 
 several rods. The enemy left the battery. Their retreat, 
 however, was necessary from other causes, for Gen. Reno had. 
 by this time, turned the enemy's right and was firing into the 
 rear of their battery and charging at the same time into them, 
 and the 23d Mass., at the head of Parke's column, sent to 
 
13 
 
 turn the enemy's left, had also made its appearance on the 
 other flank." 
 
 Reno says that his order to charge, was gallantly executed 
 by the 21st Mass., 51st N. Y., and 9th N. J. His 51st Pa. 
 did not get up in time. He adds " The honor of first entering 
 the fort is divided between the 21st Mass. and the 51st N. Y., 
 but all charged gallantly. Gen. Parke was in the act of turn- 
 ing their left when my brigade charged and carried the bat- 
 tery." Gen. Parke reports the charge of the 9th N. Y., saying 
 " This was done in gallant style, Maj. Kimball taking the 
 lead " and further on, " Before reaching the entrenchment the 
 enemy retreated through the timber." 
 
 In fifteen minutes Reno started in pursuit with the 21st 
 Mass. leading. Foster sent word to Gen. Burnside of the 
 result of the engagement, and then followed Reno with the 
 24th Mass. At a cross-road leading to the right, the 9th N. 
 Y. was sent to the shore where it occupied the abandoned 
 Fort Ellis, and secured a number of prisoners, including Capt. 
 Wise. A mile from the Confederate camp, Reno halted and 
 Foster coming up, took the lead. 
 
 In moving forward, Capt. Bradford's company of the 21st 
 Mass. in advance, came upon a body of the enemy whom he 
 ordered to surrender, but they fired upon him and a light 
 skirmish ensued. This was the 2nd Battallion N. C. troops 
 under Lt.-Col. W. J. Green, sent from Nag's Head. Another 
 re-enforcement consisting of four companies of the 46th 
 Va. under Maj. H. W. Fry also arrived from the same place 
 too late for the action. Wise had but 150 men remaining at 
 Nag's Head after despatching these troops. 
 
 Nearing the upper end of the Island, Gen. Foster was met 
 by Lt.-Col. Fowle, bearing a flag of truce from Col. Shaw, 
 
14 
 
 asking what terms would be granted. Foster replied " none 
 but those of unconditional surrender," thus anticipating by 
 eight days the similar reply of Gen. Grant to Gen. Buckner at 
 Fort Donelson. Time was given Lt.-Col. Fowle to report to 
 Col. Shaw and Maj. Robert Stevenson, 24th Mass. accom- 
 panied him. Becoming impatient, Foster advanced the 24th 
 Mass. and when near the Confederates, received an accept- 
 ance of his terms. The main camp was then occupied and 
 the surrender consummated. Gen. Reno meanwhile secured 
 the 31st N. C. and its camp, near by. Gen. Parke with the 
 4th R. I. and 10th Conn, occupied the abandoned Fort 
 Bartow. 
 
 During the land operations the navy was not idle. At 9 a. 
 m. on the 8th, the fleet advanced when Maj. Hill opened at 
 Fort Bartow. A desultory firing was kept up until 12.30 p. m. 
 the fort expending some forty rounds. Receiving word of 
 their defeat at Fort Defiance, the west forts were abandoned 
 after destroying some ammunition and spiking the guns. Lt. 
 Pulley and 17 men at Fort Ellis escaped to the main-land. 
 Our navy at 4 p. m. broke through the obstructions in the 
 Sound, and the Confederates at Fort Forest burned that 
 work. In the evening it blew up, as did the Curlew, which 
 had been fired. Lynch's vessels retired toward Elizabeth 
 City. 
 
 Our naval casualities including those ashore with Midship- 
 man Porter, were six killed and seventeen wounded. In our 
 1 and force the loss by regiments was as follows : 
 
i5 
 
 ioth Conn 55 9th N. Y 17 
 
 25th Mass 50 27th Mass 16 
 
 2 1st Mass 44 23d Mass 11 
 
 9 th N. J 37 99th N. Y., Co. B 7 
 
 51st N. Y 23 31st Pa 3 
 
 A total of 263. 
 
 This total comprised 4 officers and 32 men killed, 10 
 officers and 204 men wounded, and 13 men captured or miss- 
 ing. To it must be added Lt.-Col. Viguer De Monteil, 53d 
 N. Y., a volunteer, who was killed in the very front, after 
 most gallant service. The other officers killed were : Col. 
 Chas. L. Russell, ioth Conn. ; Lt. Henry M. Stillman, ioth 
 Conn.; Capt. Joseph J. Henry, 9th N. J., and Lt. John 
 Goodwin, 23d Mass. 
 
 The 24th Mass., 4th and 5th R. I., 8th Conn, and 1st N. Y. 
 Marine Artillery, sustained no casualities. 
 
 On the part of the Confederates the casualities were, as 
 specifically as can be ascertained, as follows : 
 
 8th, 17th and 31st N.C.. 46 Engr. Dept., Lt. Selden.. 1 
 
 46th and 59th Va 34 
 
 A total of 81. 
 
 Of these 23 were killed and 58 wounded. They report 62 
 missing, but they are supposed to have escaped. Among 
 those mortally wounded was Capt. Wise. After capture he 
 was taken to a house, where, after receiving medical atten- 
 tion, he died. He was the " fighting editor " of the Richmond 
 Enquirer, and for a time Secretary of Legation at Berlin. 
 The bodies of Wise, Coles, and Selden were given up to the 
 people of a truce steamer shortly after the battle. 
 
i6 
 
 By this victory were captured 6 forts, 40 guns, 3,000 small 
 arms, 2,677 prisoners, and large supplies. Among the Con- 
 federate officers were several West Point graduates. Five 
 had been " filibusters." Of these latter was Lt.-Col. Ander- 
 son, a native of New York, who was one of Walker's original 
 fifty-six in the Nicaraguan Expedition. Dr. Coles, of Wise's 
 Legion, was well known in New York City, having been at 
 Bellevue Hospital. He was a cousin of Capt. Coles. 
 
 Wise reports that some 150 men escaped from Roanoke to 
 Nag's Head. That place was abandoned on the evening of 
 February 8th, when Wise retired fifteen miles to Gallop's 
 Ferry. The Confederate vessels were followed by the Union 
 fleet up the Pasquotank River, and either captured or destroyed 
 on the 10th, after a gallant action. 
 
 This success at Roanoke, coming between the capture of 
 Fort Henry and that of Fort Donelson, created intense enthu- 
 siasm in the North. Bells were rung, salutes fired, flags dis- 
 played, the price of gold fell, and the thanks of the President 
 were tendered the victors. It was the first large capture of 
 Confederates in the war, and gave heart to the Unionists 
 everywhere. In the South, the contrary effect was produced. 
 The Richmond Examiner said : " The loss of an entire army 
 at Roanoke Island is certainly the most painful event of the 
 war." In view of our successes east and west, the Raleigh 
 Register said : " Must the South give up its Ship of State and 
 strike its flag, that flag which in so short a period has waved 
 triumphantly over so many battle fields ? Must the people of 
 the South become serfs and vassals of the damnable Yankees 
 and the scoff and scorn of the nations of the earth ? Never ! 
 Never ! Never ! " 
 
 While criticism should be left to abler pens, the thought 
 
i7 
 
 naturally arises, why, instead of moving against New Berne, 
 some of the fruits of victory at Roanoke open to our hands at 
 the northward were not gathered. 
 
 A committee of the Confederate House of Representatives 
 conducted an inquiry into the loss of Roanoke Island. It 
 reported that Gen. Wise was in no way responsible for the 
 disaster, and that the Secretary of War and Gen. Huger had 
 timely notice of the inadequacy of the defences, and could 
 have thrown a large reinforcement there in a few hours. At 
 least they could have saved Gen. Wise's garrison by order- 
 ing its withdrawal, if they could not have aided him. In 
 view of all the facts, this committee found that : "Whatever' 
 of blame and responsibility is justly attributable to any one 
 must be attached to Maj.-Gen. Huger and the late Secretary 
 of War, Judah P. Benjamin." 
 
 A fitting conclusion to this paper is the following congrat- 
 ulatory order to you and your comrades, which may on this 
 day be most properly recalled : 
 
 "Headquarters Dept. of N. Carolina, 
 
 Roanoke Island, N. C, Feb'y 9th, 1862. 
 
 General Orders : 
 Number 17 : 
 
 The General commanding congratulates his troops on their 
 brilliant and successful occupation of Roanoke Island. The 
 courage and steadiness they have shown under fire is what he 
 expected from them, and he accepts it as a token of future 
 victory. Each regiment on the island will inscribe on its ban- 
 ner, 'Roanoke Island, February 8th, 1862.' The highest 
 praise is due to Brig.-Gens. Foster, Reno and Parke, who so 
 
i8 
 
 bravely and energetically carried out the movement that has 
 resulted in the complete success of the Union arms. 
 
 By command of 
 
 Brig.-Gen. A. E. Burnside. 
 
 Lewis Richmond, 
 Asst. Adjt-Gen'l." 
 
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