THE BOMBARDMENT.
A thick fog prevailed this morning and continued until about
9 o'clock, when it lifted and the gunboats got under way. Slowly they steamed
towards the island and took their positions before the forts, but at a sufficient
distance not to incur much damage from them. We were all eagerly watching the movements
of the boats, when at about 10 o'clock, we saw white cloud rise from one of the
boats, and the next moment a huge column of dirt and sand rose from the enemy's
works, showing the effect of the shot. The fort replied from all its guns, but their
shots fell short as the boats lay beyond their range. The bombardment now
commenced in earnest, the boats sailing in a circle, and delivering their fire
as they passed the fort. Their firing was not rapid, but well directed. The fort's
guns blazed away as rapidly as possible, doing some damage to the boats. At
noon the transports commenced the passage of the narrow channel into Croatan sound.
From here we had a much nearer and better view of the bombardment. The boats
were sailing much nearer the fort and firing more rapidly. They had driven the men
from the guns on the fort, and their fire was feebly replied to. At this time the
shells from the boats had set the barracks and other buildings near the fort on
fire. Great clouds of smoke and flame rose from the burning buildings, and the boats
belched forth their fire more furiously than ever, the shots tearing up the parapet
of the fort or burying themselves in the mound of sand covering the magazine.
It was truly a grand and fearful exhibition! Thousands looked on with breathless
suspense, expecting every moment to see the magazine blow up or the rebels
strike their colors.
The enemy's gunboats, which had been idle spectators behind the
blockade, now came to the rescue; but a few well directed shots from 100-pounder
rifles sent them reeling back to their places. From this time the boats had
things their own way, the fort occasionally firing a shot as much as to say, we
never surrender. During the bombardment a small sloop or yacht attracted a good
deal of attention. She carried one 100-pounder gun. She lay low in the water,
below the range of the enemy's guns, and was skilfully landled. She sailed in
the circle, running close up to the fort and delivering her fire with telling
effect. With every shot she fired she was cheered by the fleet; all the bands
playing.
THE LANDING.
About 2 p.m., preparations were made to land the troops. The
little steamer Pilot Boy, with Gen. Foster aboard, and about half a mile of barges
in tow, was seen approaching our boat. I was standing near Col. Upton, at the gangway
forward the wheelhouse, as the Pilot Boy ran alongside, and heard Gen. Foster tell
the colonel to order his men to load with ball cartridge, take three days'
rations and come aboard his boat and the barges as soon as possible. This
loading with ball cartridge was a new order to me; it implied that our holiday soldiering
was over. A peculiar feeling such as I had never before experienced came over
me; I felt it to the very taps of my brogans, and thought I would rather be excused.
I turned around and without saying a word to anyone went down stairs. Drawing
Spitfire from its hiding place, I dropped in the little messenger that if needs
be perhaps might carry mourning and sorrow to some southern hearthstone. In
quick time we left the New York and were going towards the shore, followed by
other boats containing the balance of our brigade. The intention was to land
about four miles above the fort, in a little nook called Ashby bay, near Ashby house;
but as we neared the bay, a line of bayonets seen above the bushes, going
double quick in that direction, changed the general's mind, and we turned our
course towards a marsh a mile or more nearer the fort. As we ran alongside the marsh
where we were to land, Captain Pickett of company A made a leap for the land,
going half way to his neck in mud and water. He was the first man on the island.
At this time the line of bayonets above the bushes was seen coming back. The
little gunboat Delaware now came up and commenced shelling the bushes and woods
to cover our landing. In a few minutes we were all on the marsh and wading through
the mud and water for the hard land, a distance of some forty rods. On reaching
this we soon came out to a small clearing, on which was a house, barn and
out-buildings, the occupants of which had suddenly taken their leave. Here we
found things as the occupants had left them, the cat quietly sitting in the
corner and the tea-kettle singing over the fire. Adjutant Harkness and Lieutenant
Richter of company G climbed to the top of the house and nailed thereon a small
flag in honor, I suppose, of our landing and notice of our intention of staying.
Company A, Capt. Pickett, and company K, Capt. Denny, were sent out on a
reconnoissance. They soon returned, reporting no enemy near. 5 p.m. Foster's
brigade had all landed, and by dark nearly the whole division were ashore. Now
commenced the work of carrying rails and planks to build a road across the marsh
to get the howitzers of the marine artillery ashore. Soon after dark, Gen.
Foster, with the 21st Massachusetts and a section of the marine artillery,
hauling their howitzers, went past us into the woods to establish his picket
line. After a while the general returned, and said we might build fires and
make ourselves comfortable. Fires were kindled and we began to look around for
places to sleep, but a rain setting in, put an end to that. In the rain we
stood around the camp-fires through the long night, while an occasional shot out
in the woods served to keep up a little excitement and prevent us from getting
sleepy.
SOURCE: David L.
Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p.
32-4
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