Saturday, December 12, 2009

The Battle at Elizabeth City

WASHINGTON, April 23. – Capt. Cutting of Gen. Burnside’s staff, arrived here to-day with dispatches to the Government. He states that Gen. Reno commanded the National forces at the lat reconnaissance to Elizabeth City.

Capt. Cutting gives the following particulars of the affair:

On the 17th inst. Gen. Reno left Newbern and proceeded to Roanoke Island, from which place he took about 2,000 men and proceeded to Elizabeth City (which is situated on the Pasquotank river) where a strong rebel force was reported to be entrenching themselves. On Saturday an advance was made upon the rebels. The enemy opened fire with artillery as soon as our troops made their appearance, and from all appearances thought they had us in a trap of our own making. Our troops immediately formed and charged on the enemy, who ran at the first fire. We immediately took possession of the town, and after remaining a few hours, retired to the main army.

Our force was about 2,000 under Gen. Reno, and three boat howitzers under Col. Zoard. – The force of the rebels consisted of a Georgia regiment of 1100 men, a portion of Wise’s Legion, and batteries or artillery. The enemy was totally routed, with a loss of about 60 men. Our loss is about 12 killed and 48 wounded. – Col. Hawkins of the N. Y. Zouaves received a slight flesh wound in the arm. His adjutant was reported killed.

Information received from Union sources is that the guns of the national forces under Gen. Burnside were probably opened on Fort Macon yesterday or to-day.

Gen. Porter commands our forces.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 3

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