Battle of Elizabeth City

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Battle of Elizabeth City Part of the American Civil War Date February 10, 1862 Location near Elizabeth City, North Carolina Result Union victory Belligerents United States (Union) CSA (Confederacy) Commanders Stephen C. Rowan William F. Lynch Strength 14 ships 6 ships Casualties and losses 2 killed 7 wounded 5 killed 7 wounded 34 captured

v • d • e Burnside's North Carolina Expedition Roanoke Island – Elizabeth City – New Berne – Fort Macon – South Mills – Tranter's Creek

The Battle of Elizabeth City was a Union victory during the American Civil War as part of Ambrose Burnside's North Carolina Expedition.

On February 8, 1862, the Union army under Ambrose Burnside forced the surrender of Confederate forces on Roanoke Island. Immediately afterwards Flag Officer Louis M. Goldsborough sent a squadron of 14 ships under Commander Stephen C. Rowan up the Pasquotank River to deal with the Confederate "Mosquito Fleet" under the command of Flag Officer William F. Lynch. On February 10 Rowan met the Confederate fleet near Elizabeth City. Rowan ordered his ships to "dash at the enemy". Within 15 minutes the Confederate fleet was destroyed. A boarding party captured the CSS Ellis after hand to hand fighting, two Confederate ships were sunk, and another two, including the Black Warrior, were set on fire and abandoned. Two of the six Confederate vessels escaped into the Dismal Swamp. In addition to the destruction of the fleet, the river battery at Cobb's Point was also silenced. General Burnside dispatched a small force to occupy Elizabeth City.

[edit] References

• Battle of Elizabeth City