658
PASSAGE OF UNION BOATS THROUGH THE DISMAL SWAMP CANAL. (SEE MAP, PAGE 634.)FROM A WAR-TIME SKETCH.
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pick my way outside in Currituck Sound through a narrow, crooked chan-nel. The result can best he told by a dispatch to the New York “ Tribune”from Fort Monroe:
“ May 30th, 1862. This morning the side-wheel steamer Port Royal arrived here from RoanokeIsland , via the Currituck Sound and Dismal Swamp Canal. Colonel Hawkins and a companyof his gallant Zouaves are the first to open communication between Generals Wood and Burn-side. By this movement we can dispense with all seaward transportation, and forward supplies,etc., in a safe and rapid manner to our troops in that vicinity.” •
When I was left in charge of Roanoke Island , Commander Rowan assignedto the command of the naval division in Albemarle and Croatan soundsLieutenant Charles W. Flusser, who had been conspicuous for his efficiencyupon many occasions. A finer character than this officer possessed it isimpossible to imagine,—patriotic, sincere, manly, modest, considerate, andtruthful to an extent almost beyond description; and a braver man neverlived. Early in June he took possession of the town of Plymouth, situateda short distance above the mouth of the Roanoke River, and held it unaidedby land forces until June 15th, when Company F of the 9th New York wasdetailed for guard and observation duty at that post. It did not take a longtime for us to ascertain that there were among the non-slaveholding popula-tion many who professed sentiments not hostile to the Union, and that theyhad expressed a determination never to serve in the ranks of the rebel army.Lieutenant-Commander Flusser constantly urged upon me the importanceof enlisting these men in the cause of the United States . Nearly all of thepoorer class of inhabitants were still devoted to the old government; andmany had successfully resisted rebel conscription, and had never given theirallegiance to the rebel government.
Very few of them were slave-owners, and consequently had little interest inaiding the rebellion. They worked in their fields in groups, with arms nearat hand during the day, and at night resorted to the swamps for shelter