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596 Series I Volume IV- Serial 4 - Operations in the South and West

Page 596(Official Records Volume 4)  


OPERATIONS IN N. C. AND S. E. VA. [CHAP.XIII.

Numbers 2. Report of Brigadier General Benjamin Huger, C. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE FORCES, Norfolk, October 5, 1861.

SIR: As I informed you by telegraph, Colonel A. R. Wright, commanding Third Georgia Regiment, writes from Roanoke Island, dated 2nd instant, stating "We received information yesterday morning that the Yankees were about landing men near Chicamacomico, and immediately left this post, taking 150 men on board the steamers Curlew, Raleigh, and Junaluski, Commodore Lynch being in command of these vessels. At 5 p. m. we came in sight of a steamer (Federal), which proved to be the Fanny, having on board a quantity of quartermaster's and commissary stores for the Twentieth Indiana Regiment, in command of Captain Hart. After an engagement of thirty-five minutes the Fanny surrendered, and we made prisoners of the entire force-47 men, 2 officers, and 1 negro. The Fanny mounted two rifled cannon, and made a gallant resistance, but the superior weight of our guns gave us the advantage. The gun of the Curlew was manned by a crew from Captain McWhorter's company of this regiment, and worked their gun beautifully. All behaved well. We had to return for want of fuel, and I am now engaged with all my men cutting wood, and as soon as I can get a supply we will return and endeavor to capture the Federals who are encamped at Chicamacomico. We cannot send the prisoners up to-day for want of fuel. Indeed, we are almost helpless here on this account." Nobody hurt. I will do all in my power to assist the forces at Roanoke to push on.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

BENJ. HUGER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector-General.

I beg instructions concerning the prisoners, who will soon reach here.

Numbers 3. Report of Colonel A. R. Wright, Third Georgia Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS FORCES, Roanoke Island, October 2, 1861.

GENERAL: I have just returned from an expedition against the Yankees. We received information yesterday morning that the Yankees were about landing men near Chicamacomico, and immediately left this post, taking 150 men on board the steamers Curlew, Raleigh, and Junaluski, Commodore Lynch being in command of these vessels. At 5 o'clock p. m. we came in sight of a steamer (Federal), which proved to be the Fanny, having on board a quantity of quartermaster and commissary stores for the Twentieth Indiana Regiment, in command of Captain Hart. After an engagement of thirty-five minutes the Fanny surrendered, and we made prisoners of the entire force-47 men, 2 officers, and 1 negro. The Fanny mounted two rifled cannon and made a gallant resistance, but the superior weight of our guns gave us the ad-