Battle of Roanoke Island

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Battle of Roanoke Island
Part of the American Civil War
Capture of Roanoke Island, Feby. 8th 1862, by Currier and Ives
Date February 7–8, 1862 Location Dare County, North Carolina, USA Result Union victory
Combatants
United States of America	Confederate States of America
Commanders
Ambrose E. Burnside	Henry A. Wise
Strength
7,500	3,000
Casualties
37 killed 214 wounded 13 missing	23 killed 58 wounded 62 missing 2,500 captured

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 February 7–8, 1862, in Dare County, North Carolina, as part of Union Army Brigadier General 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.

• National Park Service battle description