AES i INE A =

 

310 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

you my official report of the engagements of the 8th (7th) and
11th (10th) of February.

“That of the 8th (7th), at Roanoke Island, commenced
about 10:30 a. m., at long range. At 2 p. m., finding all of
my ammunition expended, I obtained your permission to be
supplied from the Forrest. As I procured that, she had
dropped out of the enemy’s range in a crippled condition. I
very soon expended all that she had, and soon after the Cur-
lew becoming disabled and in a sinking condition, I was
again supplied from her, and renewed the attack. At about
4:30 p. m., as we were retiring from the engagement, the
firing having generally ceased, Midshipman Camm, the sec-
ond in command, had his left arm taken off just below the
shoulder by a Parrott shell. He had fired bis eighty-fourth
round when wounded, and I can not speak too highly of this
efficient and meritorious officer, who had bravely performed
his duty throughout the action. I then, by your order, went
to the assistance of the Curlew to remove ordnance and ord-
nance stores, ete., to the schooner Black Warrior, for the pur-
pose of falling back to Elizabeth City, where we arrived on
Saturday morning, and where we were attacked on Monday,
the 11th (10th), by the Federal gun-boats by an overwhelm-
ing and overpowering force. In consequence of the width of
the river, the enemy were enabled to run down upon us with
his entire force, numbering, I think, fourteen gun-boats, any
one of which was superior to ours, and of a heavier metal.
Being surrounded and boarded by two of the enemy’s vessels,
and having made every possible effort to resistance, and see-
ing that further resistance was useless, I gave the order to
blow the vessel up, which was prevented by one of my negro
coal heavers discovering it and betraying it to the enemy. I
also gave the order for the men to save themselves, if possible,
we being very near the shore, one of the gun’s crew being
killed and several wounded. The rest left the vessel, and, in
endeavoring to make their way to the shore, Midshipman
Jackson, the second in command (who came on board in the
place of Mr. Camm), was wounded, and died in twenty
hours on board one of the Federal vessels. Several of the

 

NortH Carouina Navy. 311

men were also wounded in the water, one, I believe, mortally,
William Walker, ordinary seaman. He
“Midshipman Jackson was a meritorious and promising
officer, and the country has sustained a loss in his death.
“T must here speak of the efficient services of Mr. Knight

(rated as fireman, but performing the duties of boatswain,
gunner, and watch officer); Mr. Mayo, the pilot; also Mr.
Bagley, the clerk, and the crew, all of whom performed their

respective duties with promptness and efficiency.

“After the surrender, I am sorry to say, that the two negro
coal heavers and the steward, as also one or two of the men
from the Sea Bird, deserted to the enemy, when called upon

in my presence to take their parole.
“Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

“J. W. Cooxg,
“Lieutenant Commanding Ellis.
“Flag Officer W. F. Lynch, Commanding Virginia and
North Carolina Naval Defences.”

Commander John N. Maffitt, C. S. N., in his reminiscences

ished i i vi i 880), writ-
ublished in United Service Magazine, 1 :
Sa of the engagement in Albemarle Sound and Elizabeth

City, says in reference to the steamer Fllis, as follows:

“The Ellis, commanded by James W. Cooke, resisted to
the bitter end. Boarders swarmed on board of her, and =
met, cutlass in hand, by the dauntless captain who,
badly wounded by a musket ball and by a thrust from a pay
onet, fought with the em of a tiger, refusing to sur

11 down his flag.
sq aubned by numbers he was borne to the deck, and
would have been slaughtered on the spot, but for the ano
interference of an old associate, who caused him to be safely
conveyed to Commodore Rowan’s flagship, where extreme

kindness was extended. te
“The naval battles in Albemarle Sound and off Elizabeth

City reflected mugh credit upon the person
the Confederate officers therein engaged.

al courage of all
With mere abor-

tions for gun-boats, badly armed and spare of ammunition,
S *