304 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861~’65.

went to their assistance, and coming into Ocracoke Inlet, she
struck on the wreck of a sunken vessel and was sunk. The
officers and crew of the Proney and Winslow were taken off
by the Curlew, Lieutenant-Commander Thomas T. Hunter,
without the loss of a man. Commander DeFontanges and
his officers were carried to Norfolk, where they were cordially
and hospitably received by the naval officers and citizens,
The French Vice Consul, Leon Schisano, of Norfolk, Va.,
formally thanked Master McCarrick, his officers and crew
for the rescue.”

The land and naval fight at Roanoke Island took place on
7 and 8 February, 1862, the odds being greatly against the
Confederate forces. The fleet under Commodore Lynch was
composed of eight small steamers and one schooner, each
steamer being mounted with one 32-pounder and the schooner
with two 32-pounders. The following are the names of the
vessels: The Seabird (Commodore Lynch’s flagship), Lieu-
tenant-Commanding Patrick McCarrick; Curlew, Lieuten-
ant-Commander Thomas T. Hunter; Hillis, Lieutenant-Com-
mander J. W. Cooke; Appomattox, Lieutenant-Commander
C. C. Simms; Beaufort, Lieutenant-Commander W. H. Par-
ker; Raleigh, Lieutenant-Commander J. W. Alexander;
Fanny, Midshipman Commanding Taylor; Forest, Lieuten-
ant-Commanding James L. Hoole; and the schooner Bluce/:
Warrior, Lieutenant Harris. The enemy’s fleet consisted of
about thirty gun-boats mounted with guns of 9, 10 and 11-
inch calibre. The fight lasted through the entire day. All
of the ammunition of the fleet having been exhausted, at
night Commodore Lynch called a consultation of his officers,
when it was decided to fall back to Elizabeth City, which was
done during the night, arriving there on the morning of the
8th, when Commodore Lynch sent express to Norfolk for
more ammunition, which he received the next day.

On the morning of the 10th the fleet, under Commodore
Rowan, renewed the fight off Elizabeth City, N. C., when
after a desperate resistance all of the vessels were either cap-
tured or sunk, with the exception of the Raleigh and Beau-
fort, Which escaped, passing through the canal, arriving in

Nortu Carornina Navy. , 305

safety at Norfolk, where they were heard from again in the
naval engagement in Hampton Roads between the United
States ships and the Confederate States iron-clad Virginia.
The Beaufort at this time was in command of Lieutenant
William Sharp, who was captured at the fall of Hatteras, but
who in the meantime had been exchanged.

I here append the official reports of Flag Officer W. F.
Lynch and Lieutenant-Commander J. W. Cooke.

Report or Frac Orricer Lyncu, C. 8S. Navy, Commanp-
Ina Navau Derences or NortH CaroLina AND VIRGINIA.

(Official Records Union and Confed. Navies, Series 1, Vol.
6, Page, 594.)

“Prterspura, Va., 18 February, 1862.
“‘Str:—lI have the honor to report that the enemy on the
7th instant, at 10:30 a. m., made an attack upon the squadron
under my command and the battery at Pork Point, Roanoke
Island. His force consisted of from 80 to 100 sail, of which
22 heavy steamers and one tug constituted the attacking force.

This last division was again subdivided, one portion assailing
us and the other the battery; but whenever we approached
too near, the fire of the whole, except two or three close in-
shore, would be concentrated upon us. As his force was
overwhelming, we commenced the action at long range, but as
our shells fell short, whilst his burst over and around us,
we were eventually compelled to lessen the distance.

“The fight lasted continuously until 5 p. m., when the en-
emy withdrew for the night. The soldiers in the battery sus-
tained their position under a terrific fire with a gallantry
which won our warmest admiration. At times the entire
battery would be enveloped in the sand and dust thrown up
by shot and shell, and yet the casualties were only one man
killed and three wounded. ‘The earthwork, however, was
very much cut up, but doubtless repaired during the night.
I deem it proper to say thus much of the battery, because, in
all probability, this communication will reach you before in-
telligence is received from the appropriate official sourve.

“Repeatedly in the course of the day I feared that our

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