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

our fleet arrived off Hatteras Inlet about 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Such preparations as were possible for the landing were made in the evening, and at daylight next morning dispositions were made for an attack upon the forts by the fleet and for the landing of the troops.

Owing to the previous prevalence of southwest gales a heavy surf was breaking on the beach. Every effort was made to land the troops, and after about 315 were landed, including 55 marines from the fleet and the regulars, both the iron boats, upon which we depended, were swamped in the surf and both flag-boats stove; and a brave attempt being made by Lieutenant Crosby, U. S. Navy (serving with the army as port captain at Fortress Monroe), who had volunteered to come down with the steam-tug Fanny, belonging to the Army, to land in a boat from the war steamer Pawnee, resulted in the beaching of the boat, so that she could not be got off.

It was impracticable to land more troops because of the rising wind and sea. Fortunately, a 12-pounder rifled boat gun, loaned us by the flag-ship, and a 12-pounder howitzer were landed, the last slightly damaged. Our landing was completely covered by the shells of the Monticello and the Harriet Lane. I was on board the Harriet Lane, directing the disembarkation of the troops by means of signals, and was about landing with them at the time the boats were stove. We were induced to desist from further attempts at landing troops by the rising of the wind, and because in the mean time the fleet had opened fire upon the nearest fort, which was finally silenced, and its flag struck. No firing had opened upon our troops from the other fort, and its flag was also struck. Supposing this to be a signal of surrender, Colonel Weber advanced his troops already landed upon the beach.

The Harriet Lane, Captain Faunce, by my direction, tried to cross the bar to get in the smooth water of the inlet, when fire was opened upon the Monticello (which had proceeded in advance of us) from the other fort. Several shots struck her, but without causing any casualties, as I am informed. So well convinced were the officers of both Navy and Army that the forts had been surrendered at this time, that the Susquehanna had towed the frigate Cumberland to an offing. The fire was then reopened (as there was no signal from either) upon both forts.

In the mean time a few men from the Coast Guard had advanced up the beach with Mr. Wiegel, who was acting as volunteer aide, and whose gallantry and services I wish to commend, and took possession of the smaller fort, which was found to have been abandoned by the enemy, and raised the American flag thereon.

It had become necessary, owing to the threatening appearance of the weather, that all the ships should make an offing, which was done with reluctance, from necessity, thus leaving the troops upon shore, a part in possession of the small fort, about 700 yards from the large one, and the rest bivouacked upon the beach, near the place of landing, about 2 miles north of the forts.

Early the next morning the Harriet Lane ran inshore for the purpose of covering any attack upon the troops. At the same time a large steamer was observed coming down the sound inside the land, with re-enforcements for the enemy, but she was prevented from landing by Captain Johnson, of the Coast Guard, who had placed the two guns from the ship and a 6-pounder captured from the enemy in a small sand battery, and opened fire upon the rebel steamer. At 8 o'clock the fleet opened fire again, the flag-ship being anchored as near as the water allowed and the other ships coming gallantly into action. It was evi-