THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION.

667

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GENERAL BURNSIDE AT THE CONFEDERATE COTTON BATTERY ON TIIE WHARF, NEW BERNE.

FROM A WAR-TIME SKETCH.

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On the morning of the 7th the gun-hoats passed inside the narrow passageknown as Roanoke Sound, and were soon abreast of the lower part of Roa-noke Island . Soon after the naval fleet had passed through, the transportfleet began its passage. The rebel gun-boats were seen close inshore underthe batteries of the island. At half-past 10 o’,clock a signal gun was firedfrom one of the forts, announcing our approach. At half-past 11, one ofthe naval vessels opened fire, which was replied to by the rebels. Signalswere given by the commodore of the fleet to begin the action. By noonthe firing became rapid, and soon after, the engagement became general. Therebels had driven a line of piles across the main channel to obstruct theprogress of our vessels, leaving a narrow space for themselves to retreatthrough; and as our naval vessels pressed them, they availed themselves ofthis means of safety. Our guns soon got the range of their batteries, and, bymost extraordinary skill and rapidity of firing, almost silenced them. Justbefore noon I ordered a reconnoissance by a small boat, with the view ofascertaining a point of landing. A young negro, who had escaped from theisland on our arrival at Hatteras Inlet, had given me most valuable informa-tion as to the nature of the shore of the island, from which I had determinedthat our point of landing should be at Ashby’s Harbor, which was nearlymidway up the shore. [See map, p. 641.]

At 1 o’clock, the quarters of the garrison in one of the forts were fired byone of our shells. The rebel gun-boats retired up the sound, but still contin-ued a brisk fire as they were followed by our vessels. Orders were given forthe troops to land at 3 o’clock. The ground in the rear of Ashby’s Harborwas cleared by shells from the naval vessels, and our large surf-boats were