The helmsman gave the wheel a subtle turn. The bow eased into the lock gates, the granite sides of the lock slid past. The Appomattox lurched to a stop, the men in the wheelhouse stumbled to keep their footing. Bowater looked down the side. The tug was jammed halfway into the lock, stuck fast.
BOOK FOUR
The Fight on Western Water
36
New York Daily Tribune, Thursday, February 13, 1862:
BURNSIDE’S EXPEDITION
ITS FIRST TERRIBLE BLOW
CAPTURE OF ROANOKE
DIRECT NEWS FROM THE ENEMY
Rebel Fleet Completely Destroyed
THE PANIC AMONG THE PEOPLE
ELIZABETH CITY ABANDONED
THE TOWN DESTROYED BY FIRE
GOV. WISE NOT IN THE FIGHT
Only 50 Rebels Escaped from the Island
2,500 TROOPS TAKEN PRISONERS
O. JENNINGS WISE WOUNDED
A Major and 300 Privates Killed
OVER ONE THOUSAND WOUNDED
WILD STORIES OF UNION LOSSES
REPORTED LOSS ON OUR SIDE
Fortress Monroe, Feb. 11, via Baltimore, Feb. 12.
By a flag of truce today we learn the complete success of the Burnside Expedition at Roanoke Island.
The Island was taken possession of, and Commodore Lynch’s fleet completely destroyed.
Elizabeth City was attacked on Sunday, and evacuated by the inhabitants. The City was previously burned, but whether by our shells or the inhabitants is not certain.
All the gunboats but one were taken, and that escaped up a creek and was probably also destroyed.
There appears to be no bright side of the story for the Rebels.
Stephen Mallory, Esq.
Department of the Navy
Richmond, Virginia
Sir:
I am a private citizen with great dedication to our noble cause. In my effort to aid in throwing off the yoke of tyranny, I have, at my own expense and endeavor, purchased and fitted out a private ironclad man-of-war. I have been able to make some use of the vessel, participating in the attack on the Union fleet at the Head of the Passes and the subsequent shelling at the bar, an action of which you have no doubt heard. My vessel is the Yazoo River, though, being a private man-of-war and not an official naval vessel, she received less attention than the efforts of my valiant crew warranted.
The Yazoo River currently sails under a letter of marque and reprisal, not because I entertain hopes of reaping some profit from her (I look for no pecuniary gains whatsoever) but rather that she might carry the war to sea with some degree of legitimacy. I would gladly risk myself, my ship, and my men to the last measure for the good of the cause, but I would not give the Yankee barbarians excuse to hang my men as pirates.
I find, to my dismay, that the people available for employment on private men-of-war are not what one might wish, generally foreigners, weaklings, and cowards, as any true Southern man is already in the service, be it the army or navy, or employed at some indispensable trade. For all of the effort and money I have poured into my ship, I find I cannot make decent use of her for want of good men. It has become clear to me that this fine ship must be manned by men of the Confederate States Navy, for only such men as have voluntarily and selflessly joined in the fight can be counted upon to act with zeal, dash, and bravery when the hard and dangerous work is to be done.
This is the reason I appeal to you. For the good of our cause, I would like to offer my ship to the Confederate States Navy, at no cost to the service. She is an ironclad, side-wheeler, three hundred tons, 147 feet length overall. She has two boilers and two noncondensing engines with eighteen-inch cylinders, all in good repair. She currently mounts a ten-inch Dahlgren forward and two six-pound smoothbores aft, which are of limited use. I would be grateful if the navy was able to supply more and better ordnance.
I say I will give the Yazoo River to the navy at no cost, and that is true, but I would make one demand. It is no longer possible for me to sit idly by while others fight the Northern vandals. Since I have some knowledge of the waters here, I would insist that I be retained aboard in the capacity of pilot, so that I might aid in my way in the great fight. I do not require pay for that service, but do insist upon an official appointment to serve in that capacity.
I look forward to your reply, and remain,
Your obedient servant,
Robley Paine
Norfolk, Virginia, February 12, 1862
Dear Mrs. Jefferson,
My name is Hieronymus Taylor and I am the Chief Engineer aboard the ship CSN Cape Fear, aboard which your son Lafayette volunteered. I regret to inform you that Lafayette was killed during the fight at Roanoke Island on February 7.
Lafayette was a good boy and a hard worker, very much liked by his shipmates. He stood his post bravely to the end and he is sore missed.
I know that money can never make up such a grievous loss, but perhaps it might help some to make up for the support a lost son might have provided. I have enclosed one hundred dollars for you in Lafayette ’s memory, and I hope it is pleasing to him as he looks down from heaven on our suffering here on earth, now that he is in the hands of Jesus and his suffering is at an end.
I am very sorry for your loss, and remain, Your obedient, humble servant,
Hieronymus Taylor
Mrs. Ada Jefferson
Wilmington Street
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
From the report of Captain Samuel Bowater, CSN :
Norfolk, Virginia, February 12, 1862
…and upon realizing the Cape Fear was in a sinking condition, the enemy returned to their own vessel, at which time those men remaining aboard the Cape Fear made preparations to abandon ship. Gallantly, Lt. Simms brought his vessel Appomattox alongside, despite the great danger of enemy fire at close range, and took off the surviving crew of the Cape Fear and the wounded, as well as the body of Lt. Harwell.
I will not attempt to explain Lt. Simms’s decision to make for the canal, except to say that it is a decision I myself would have made, given the fact that the Confederate fleet was lost and there would have been no purpose served in fighting on, and the only result would have been the loss of the last ship and crew. It is unfortunate that the Appomattox proved to be two inches too wide to fit in the lock and Lt. Simms was forced to burn the vessel there. I cannot speak too highly of the gallantry of this officer, and the debt owed to him by the men of the Cape Fear.
Of the men of the Cape Fear, they all performed well and to my full satisfaction, but I would like to single a few out for special commendation. First Assistant Engineer Hieronymus Taylor stood his post despite the grave danger of enemy shells hitting the boiler, and when called upon joined in the hand-to-hand fighting and displayed calm and leadership in that capacity. Seaman First Class Ruffin Tanner was ubiquitous during the fight, serving as helmsman, repelling boarders, and aiding the wounded off the ship. He was the last man, besides myself, to leave the sinking vessel.