Battle of Roanoke Island

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Capture of Roanoke Island, Feby. 8th 1862, by Currier and Ives

Date	February 7 – February 8, 1862
Location	Dare County, North Carolina
Result	Union victory

Belligerents

United States (Union)

CSA (Confederacy)

Commanders

Ambrose E. Burnside

Henry A. Wise

Strength

7,500

3,000

Casualties and losses

37 killed
214 wounded
13 missing

23 killed
58 wounded
62 missing
2,500 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 Roanoke Island, also known as the Battle of Fort Huger, took place on February 7 and February 8, 1862, in Dare County, North Carolina, as part of Union Army Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside's North Carolina expedition during the American Civil War.

On February 7, Burnside landed 7,500 men on the southwestern side of Roanoke Island in an amphibious operation launched from Fort Monroe. The next morning, supported by gunboats, the Federals assaulted the Confederate forts on the narrow waist of the island, driving back and out-maneuvering Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise's outnumbered command. After losing less than 100 men, the Confederate commander on the field, Col. H.M. Shaw, surrendered about 2,500 soldiers and 32 guns. Burnside had secured an important outpost on the Atlantic Coast, tightening the blockade.

During the battle, a Confederate flag bearer was shot. In a swift act of gallantry, a soldier named William Crawford Dawson rushed to the scene and "rescued the colors" to keep the flag from touching the ground. The flag is currently housed in a museum in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.