Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/33

Rh Taylor, an old navy officer, who commanded Fort Huger, finding that the enemy did not come within range of his guns, mounted his horse and rode into Fort Bartow to encourage the garrison. He was received with loud cheers. This brave and accomplished officer was killed at the bloody battle of Antietam.] Toward 4 o'clock in the afternoon a shot or shell struck the hurricane deck of the Curlew, and went through her decks and bottom as though they had been made of paper. She was run ashore and subsequently burned by her crew. About 4 p. m. I observed that the enemy's troops were landing to the southward of Fort Bartow, under the guns of a division of the fleet, and could not perceive that any resistance was being made to it. A little after sunset the firing ceased on both sides, and as we felt sure the enemy would not attempt to pass the obstructions by night, as he had declined to attempt them by day, we ran in and anchored under Fort Forrest.

"The loss in the squadron was not officially stated, but Lieutenant Hoole was badly wounded, and Midshipman Camm, of the Ellis, lost an arm. Admiral Ammen gave the loss on his side at 6 killed, 17 wounded, and 2 missing; this including the howitzer battery of six guns, operating with the army. Soon after we anchored, signal was made by the flagship for the captains to report on board. Upon entering the cabin I was informed by Commodore Lynch that we must retreat from Roanoke island. Much surprised and mortified, I asked why, and was told that the vessels generally were out of ammunition. A council was held as to whether the vessels should retreat to Norfolk, or to Elizabeth City on the Pasquotank river. We would have saved the vessels by going to the former place; but the commodore's orders were to do his utmost to defend the waters of North Carolina. So we decided to go to the latter, where it was understood a fort had been built to protect the town. Elizabeth City is the terminus of the Dismal Swamp canal, and we