Commonly known as "The Burnside Expedition," the Union army did a poor job of concealing the preparations for Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside's expedition and its destination. Gov. Henry T. Clark had "reliable information" as early as January 5, 1862, when he wrote the CSA Secretary of War, Judah P. Benjamin "that the Burnside expedition at Fort Monroe is destined for Pamlico Sound and New Berne," and asked for reinforcements and arms.

In the meantime, Maj. Gen. James G. Martin (NC Militia) put many of the eastern counties on notice to prepare for action. County militia colonels received messages on January 13th instructing them to assemble all of the men liable for duty in their regiments. They were to select one-third of their men first by volunteering then by lot. When the numbers allowed, the colonel was to form the men into temporary companies of at least eighty (80) men, with a full complement of company officers selected among those in the regiment. They were to move at the order of seven (7) justices of the peace and report to whichever Confederate general called for them.

Also in the meantime, the Confederate command and organization in eastern North Carolina had changed from the first hints of Burnside's expedition until his actual arrival. Brig. Gen. Daniel H. Hill (NC) was transferred to Virginia in mid-November of 1861, and replaced as commander of the District of Pamlico by Brig. Gen. Lawrence O. Branch (NC). In December of 1861, all lands east of the Chowan River, as well as Washington County and Tyrrell County were taken from Brig. Gen. Branch and re-organized into the new District of the Albemarle under the command of Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise (VA), former governor of Virginia, reporting to the Department of Norfolk under Maj. Gen. Benjamin Huger (VA).

On January 20th, Brig. Gen. Lawrence O. Branch (CSA-NC) informed Brig. Gen. Richard C. Gatlin (NC-Militia) of his intention to call out the militia of Lenoir, Pitt, Craven, and Beaufort counties. Brig. Gen. Gatlin in turn request on January 21st that Gov. Henry Clark call out the militia of Edgecombe, Pitt, Beaufort, Wayne, Lenoir, Jones, and Craven counties, and to order them to report to Brig. Gen. Branch. Gov. Clark then also called out one-third of the Militia - those from Duplin, Sampson, Cumberland, Robeson, Bladen, Columbus, Richmond, Anson, Brunswick, and New Hanover counties were ordered to Wilmington under Col. Sewall L. Fremont; one-third of the Militia of Franklin, Orange, Granville, Nash, Person, and Wake counties were ordered to Weldon under Co. George B. Singletary. Col. Fremont complained that his duties with the Wilmington & Weldon Rail Road were too much, so he was replaced by Col. John L. Cantwell.

Other militia regiments were called out as the Union expedition came closer and closer - it had been hampered by bad weather. Upon Union Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside's arrival, counties farther away in the Piedmont received word that the draft of one-third of their militia was now required.

To set the stage, here is a quick look at the known Confederate batteries, camps, and forts in the general area of Roanoke Island and adjacent mainland locations:

Camp Raleigh, Fort Huger, Fort Blanchard, Fort Russell, Fort Bartow and Ballast Point Battery were all on Roanoke Island. Camp Rescue and Fort Forrest were across the Croatan Sound on the mainland not too far away. Camp Georgia and Fort Sullivan have not been exactly located. The two (2) forts and two (2) camps at the southern end of Hatteras Island had already been captured in late August of 1861 by Union forces at the battle known as Hatteras Inlet Batteries.

Fort Bartow (Commandant-Maj. Gabriel H. Hill-7th NC Volunteers) at Pork Point on Roanoke Island was manned by all ten (10) companies of the 8th NC Regiment (State Troops), two (2) companies of the 7th NC Volunteers (State Troops), and nine (9) companies of the 31st NC Regiment (State Troops) – all were quartered in nearby Camp Raleigh. Capt. John S. Taylor of the CSA Heavy Artillery was Commandant of Fort Blanchard and Fort Huger (at Weir's Point). Fort Forrest at Redstone Point on the mainland included Company K of the 7th NC Volunteers (State Troops) and Company A of the 31st NC Regiment (State Troops), which is why these two (2) companies avoided capture. A small number of men of Company H of the 31st NC Regiment (State Troops) were stationed at Ballast Point Battery (two smooth-bore 32-pounders at Midgett's Hommock) on eastern Roanoke Island and somehow also avoided capture. It is not clear where the 59th VA Regiment was stationed at the onset of hostilities.

Battle of Roanoke Island, NC - February 8, 1862

The 2nd NC Battalion-Infantry (State Troops) had been stationed in Wilmington, but was ordered to Roanoke Island, where they landed on the morning of February 8th near Fort Russell. Before they could reach Fort Russell they learned that the battle had already been lost. Lt. Col. Wharton J. Green attempted to form a line but could not do so. After a brief skirmish, the battalion, along with all the other Confederate troops on Roanoke Island was surrendered.

A detachment of the 46th VA Regiment was also sent to Roanoke Island on February 7th as re-inforcements. They arrived too late to take part in the battle, but not too late to take part in the surrender.

Although Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise (VA) was in overall command of Confederate defenses during the Battle of Roanoke Island, NC, he came down with "pleurisy, with high fever and spitting of blood, threatening pneumonia." He continued to issue orders from his sickbed at Nag's Head, a few miles from Roanoke Island on the Outer Banks, and remained hospitalized until February 8th, after the battle was over.

Four (4) vessels in the armada were not very lucky: the U.S.S. City of New York, laden with 400 barrels of gunpowder, 1,600 rifled muskets, 800 shells, tents, hand grenades, etc.; the U.S.S. Pocahontas, losing 90 of its 109 horses aboard; the U.S.S. Grapeshot carrying hay and oats for the horses; and the Army gunboat Zouave, were all lost near the shoreline of Hatteras Island, although all persons aboard were rescued. The only personnel losses were two (2) officers of the 9th NJ Infantry, who were drowned when their surfboat overturned following a visit to the flagship.

From Cape Hatteras northward, the sailing was time-consuming and treacherous. The swash, thought to be eight (8) feet deep, was found the hard way to be only six (6) feet deep. Some of the Union Army ships drew too much to get across, and had to be kedged in after being lightened. Others were too deep even to be kedged in; the men or materials they carried had to be brought ashore on Hatteras Island, and the ships sent back. The bark, U.S.S. John Trucks never made it at all; she could not get close enough to Hatteras Island even for the men aboard to be taken off. She returned to Annapolis, MD with the majority of the regiment, the 53rd NY Infantry, however, a detachment of the command was active in the Battle of Roanoke Island.

Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside and Flag Officer Louis M. Goldsborough were ready to move against Roanoke Island, but severe weather delayed them for a few more days. On February 7th, the weather moderated, and the Union gunboats got into position. They first fired a few shells inland at Ashby Harbor, their intended landing place, and determined that the defenders had no batteries there.They then moved up Croatan Sound on the western side of Roanoke Island, where they were divided; some were ordered to fire on Fort Bartow (at Pork Point), while others were to concentrate their fire on seven (7) nearby vessels of the Confederate "Mosquito Fleet." At about noon, the bombardment began.

The weakness of the Confederate position was revealed at this time. Only four (4) of the guns at Fort Bartow could actrually fire on the Union gunboats. Forts Huger and Fort Blanchard did not contribute at all, reasons lost to history. Fort Forrest, on the other side of the sound, was rendered completely useless when the Confederate gunboat C.S.S. Curlew, blasted at the waterline, ran ashore directly in front of the fort in her effort to avoid sinking, and in so doing masked the guns of the fort. Several of the Union ships were hit, but none suffered severe damage.

This was true for the rest of the Confederates also, aside from C.S.S. Curlew, but the remaining "Mosquito Fleet" had to retire simply because they ran out of ammunition. The "Mosquito Fleet" withdrew up the Pasquotank River. The Albemarle Sound and the Chowan River were then blockaded by the Union fleet soon thereafter. During the remainder of February and into early March, they made periodic forays to various points along the mainland, sometimes skirmishing the the "Mosquito Fleet."

About 3:00 p.m. on February 7th, Brig. Gen. Burnside ordered the landings to begin, and by 4:00 p.m. his troops began reaching shore. A 200-man strong Confederate force commanded by Col. John V. Jordan of the 31st NC Regiment (State Troops), in position to oppose the landing, was discovered and fired on by the Union gunboats; the defenders fled without any attempt to return fire. There was no further opposition on that first day. Almost all of the Union soldiers present were ashore by midnight, and they pushed inland a short distance and went into camp for the night. With the infantry went six (6) launches with boat howitzers, commanded by a young midshipman, Benjamin H. Porter.

The Union forces moved out promptly on the morning of February 8th, advancing north on the only road on the island. Leading was the 1st Brigade's 25th MA Infantry, with Midshipman Porter's howitzers immediately following. They were soon halted, when they struck the Confederate redoubt and some 400 infantry blocking their way. Another thousand Confederates were in reserve, about 250 yards to the rear; the front was so constricted that Col. Henry M. Shaw (8th NC Regiment-Commanding Officers) could effectively deploy only about a quarter of his men. The defensive line ended in what were deemed impenetrable swamps on both sides, however, Col. Shaw could not protect his flanks; unbeknownst to him these swamps were not all that impenetrable.

The leading elements of the Union's 1st Brigade spread out to match their opponents' deployment, and for two (2) hours the combatants fired at each other through blinding clouds of smoke. The 10th CT Infantry relieved the exhausted, but not badly bloodied, 25th MA Infantry, but they too could not advance. No progress was made until the Union's 2nd Brigade arrived, and its commander, Brig. Gen. Jesse L. Reno, ordered them to try to penetrate the "impenetrable" swamp on the Union left. Brig. Gen. John G. Foster then ordered two (2) of his reserve regiments to do the same on the right swamp. About this time, Brig. Gen. John G. Parke came up with his 3rd Brigade, and it was immediately sent to assist. Although they were not coordinated, the two flanking movements emerged from the "impenetrable swamps" at nearly the same time. Brig. Gen. Reno ordered his 21st MA Infantry, 51st NY Infantry, and 9th NJ Infantry to attack. As they were firing on the Confederates, the 23rd MA Infantry, from the 1st Brigade, appeared on the other end of the line. The defensive line began to crack; noting this, Brig. Gen. Foster ordered his remaining forces to attack. Under assault from three (3) sides, the Confederates broke and fled; they had no choice.

As no fall-back defenses had been set up, and he was bereft of artillery, Col. Henry M. Shaw surrendered to Brig. Gen. John G. Foster. Included in the capitulation were not only the 1,400 infantry that he commanded directly, but also the guns in the forts and many stand of arms. Altogether, some 2,500 Confederates became prisoners of war (POWs). Aside from the POWs, casualties were rather light by American Civil War standards. Union forces lost 37 killed, 214 wounded, and 13 missing. The Confederates lost 23 killed, 58 wounded, and 62 missing.

Roanoke Island remained in Union control for the rest of the war. Immediately after the battle, the Union gunboats passed the now-silent Confederate forts into Albemarle Sound, and destroyed what was left of the "Mosquito Fleet" at the Battle of Elizabeth City. Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside used Roanoke Island as a staging area for later assaults on New Bern and Fort Macon, resulting in both captured. Several minor Union expeditions took other North Carolina towns on the adjacent sounds. The Burnside Expedition ended only in July, when its leader was recalled to Virginia to take part in the upcoming Richmond Campaign.

Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside noted that his army captured six (6) forts, forty (40) guns, nearly 3,000 prisoners, and upward of 3,000 stand of arms. Among the prisoners were Col. Henry M. Shaw, commander of the island, and Capt. O. Jennings Wise (VA) (Brig. General Henry A. Wise's son), who was mortally wounded and since died. He reported that his forces had about 35 [37] men killed and about 200 [214] men wounded. Col. Charles L. Russell, Lt. Col. Joseph A.V. De Monteil, Capt. Joseph J. Henry, 2nd Lt. John H. Goodwin, Jr., and Lt. Stillman of his officers were killed in action.

On February 7th, the naval bombardment commenced at 9:05 a.m. and continued until 6:30 p.m. His three (3) brigadier generals each had a light-draught steamer, to which were attached twenty (20) surf-boats in a long line at the rear, all densely packed with Union soldiers. As the steamers approached the shore at a rapid speed, the surf-boats were let go and quickly reached the shoreline to discharge their contents rapidly. He and all his generals went ashore that afternoon, Brig. Gen. John G. Foster returned to bring up his second detachment. Brig. Gen. Burnside then went aboard the flagship and met with Flag Officer Louis M. Goldsborough. By midnight, all of his forces except for the 24th MA Infantry were ashore and encamped. Early next morning the battle commenced, and Brig. Gen. Burnside described the ensuing actions in 3-4 pages of text.

Lt. Daniel W. Flagler (U.S. Ordnance Department) described the guns and ammunition captured on Roanoke Island. He referred to all forts with the renaming given by the Union forces after the battle. Surgeon William H. Church briefly described the treatments given during/after the battle, and provided a table of casualties per brigade and regiment, most other reports were later updated with final numbers found in his comprehensive table on P.85 in the volume identified above.

Brig. Gen. John G. Foster provided his report of the battle from the perspective of his 1st Brigade, along with the following sketch:

Brig. Gen. Foster described that the first night was rainy and the men huddled around camp-fires in good spirits, ready for the fight. He described the next day's battle in three (3) pages of text. He met Lt. Col. Daniel G. Fowle (31st NC Regiment) under a flag of truce, and informed the Lt. Colonel that unconditional surrender was the only option to the Confederates. This was soon accepted, and Brig. Gen. Foster marched into the Confederate camp and received the official surrender from Col. Henry M. Shaw (8th NC Regiment-Commanding Officer). He noted that the Confederate camps consisted of well-built quarters, store-houses, and hospitals, all newly built.

Capt. Daniel Messinger (Aide-de-Camp to Brig. Gen. John G. Foster) reported that he was on the gunboat Ranger and was sent to bombard Pork Point, which began at 12:30 and ended at 6:30 on February 7th, after firing 121 shells. Lt. C. Cushing Eyre (1st NY Marine Artillery) reported essentially the same information in a different level of detail, having also spent his time on board the gunboat Ranger for two (2) days. Lt. James M. Pendleton (another Aide-de-Camp to Brig. Gen. John G. Foster) reported that he was on the gunboat Vidette and on February 7th he was ordered to follow the Ranger to bombard Pork Point.

Lt. James H. Strong (another Aide-de-Camp to Brig. Gen. John G. Foster) reported that he was on the gunboat Hussar and on February 8th, he was ordered to fire upon Pork Point at 11:00 a.m until 6:30 p.m. Lt. James A. Hedden (1st NY Marine Artillery) provided additional detail of the Hussar's shelling.

Lt. Col. Albert W. Drake (10th CT Infantry) briefly reported his regiment's actions during the Battle of Roanoke Island, including the death of Col. Charles L. Russell. He noted that Capt. Leggett and Capt. Jepson were wounded. Col. John Kurtz (23rd MA Infantry) briefly reported his regiment's actions. Col. Thomas G. Stevenson (24th MA Infantry) briefly reported his regiment's actions, and that his men were assigned to guard the prisoners after the surrender. Col. Edwin Upton (25th MA Infantry) briefly reported his regiment's actions, and that he had six (6) men killed and forty-four (44) wounded. Col. Horace C. Lee (27th MA Infantry) briefly reported his regiment's actions.

Brig. Gen. Jesse L. Reno provided his report of the battle from the perspective of his 2nd Brigade, noting that his brigade was ashore by 9 p.m. on February 7th. He was ordered to proceed at daylight, and met his enemy around 8:00 a.m. on February 8th. He described the day's action in two (2) pages of text. His brigade lost 15 men killed and 79 men wounded. He also noted that his brigade had taken 30 officers and 493 men as prisoners.

Capt. Montgomery Ritchie (Aide-de-Camp to Brig. Gen. Jesse L. Reno) reported that he was asigned to the "propeller gunboat" Pioneer with orders to attack the Confederate fleet around 12:30 p.m. on February 7th. The Pioneer fired over 95 shells until around 5:00 p.m.

Lt. Col. Alberto C. Maggi (21st MA Infantry) briefly reported his regiment's actions during the Battle of Roanoke Island on February 7-8, 1862. His regiment was completely landed by 5:00 p.m. on the first day, and a detachment was soon sent out to take the nearby crossroad near the middle of the island. Two (2) of his officers were wounded on the second day's engagements – Capt. T.S. Foster and Adjutant F.A. Stearns.

Lt. Col. Charles A. Heckman (9th NJ Infantry) briefly reported his regiment's actions and noted that his men were mostly in waste-deep swampy water. He had 35 men reported missing.

Col. Edward Ferrero (51st NY Infantry) briefly reported his regiment's actions and that he was ordered to form a line on the right side of the 2nd Brigade around 7:30 a.m. on February 8th. He led the left wing of that right side, and Lt. Col. Potter led the right wing during their involvement in the battle.

Col. John F. Hartranft (51st PA Infantry) briefly reported his regiment's actions and led his men on the left side of the "impenetrable swamp." He had one Private wounded.

Brig. Gen. John G. Parke provided his report of the battle from the perspective of his 3rd Brigade, noting that upon landing his men were formed into a line in a field to the left of Hammond's House. The last of his men landed around 11:00 p.m. on Febuary 7th, and they bivouacked on their arms. He described the next day's action in two (2) pages of text, and reported the death of Lt. Col. Viguer De Monteil that "he was killed instantly, while urging my men to the charge." Parke also reported that the 9th NY Infantry had two (2) lieutenants and fifteen (15) privates wounded, none likely to prove fatal.

Col. Isaac P. Rodman (4th RI Infantry) briefly reported his regiment's actions, and first noted that the U.S.S. Pocahontas was lost on the cape, and it contained their horses, which all but 19 perished. The teamsters all made it to shore without drowning. He asserted that they had taken 35-40 pieces of artillery, about 4,000 stand of arms, and camp equipage/stores of four (4) regiments of infantry. 400-500 of the enemy somehow managed to escape capture and departed from the island. A regiment of Confederate reinforcements from Norfolk did not land, but got away, too.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Huger (CSA, Department of Norfolk) reported about the fall of Roanoke Island, yet his first report was mostly slanted towards what actions he has taken since, and the fact that C.S. Navy Flag Officer William F. Lynch is most likely cornered at Elizabeth City and could lose all of his "Mosquito Fleet" there. He issued five (5) more letters well into March of 1862 describing some of the events leading up to the loss at Roanoke Island.

Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise (CSA, District of the Albemarle) reported on February 13th from the Canal Bridge in Currituck County, NC to CSA President Jefferson Davis and reminded him that he (Wise) had asked many times for more men, but he did the best he could with the resources given to him. He reported that the North Carolina men, for the most part, had not been paid, clothed, or drilled, and were badly commanded and led, and except for a few companies, they did not fight. He asserted that about 600 of his "Legion" withstood the enemy for half a day – then they "gave way, but never surrendered." He commented that all of the forts on the island were in the wrong place, all were in the north and should have been in the south. He reported that he was with six (6) companies of his "Legion" besides fragments that escaped.

Brig. Gen. Wise continued with providing counter-arguments against his decisions prior to and during the battle. On February 21st, he submitted well over forty (40) documents from November 18, 1861 up to the day of the battle (P.122-170) showing all the times he requested additional men and materiel, and pointing out all of the challenges he was facing with his new command of the District of the Albemarle (aka 4th Brigade, Department of Norfolk) under Maj. Gen. Benjamin Huger in Norfolk, VA before and since his appointment on December 21, 1861. Included in these 40+ documents were several reports from the commanders on Roanoke Island under his new command, spelling out their needs and known weaknesses in their defenses.

Brig. Gen. Wise arrived at Roanoke Island on January 7th and met with Col. Henry M. Shaw (8th NC Regiment) already on the island – Brig. Gen. Wise included his order that Col. Shaw remain in command of the island until further notice, with instructions on what needed repairs. Col. Shaw replied in writing with his own list of the defenses on Roanoke Island and what needed to be done before the enemy arrived; he described all guns and ammunition currently on hand, as well as all provisions currently on hand. On January 15th, Brig. Gen. Wise sent orders to Lt. Col. Wharton J. Green (2nd NC Battalion-Infantry) at Wilmington, NC - get to Roanoke Island as soon as possible - Lt. Col. Green soon replied his current commanding officer at Wilmington, Brig. Gen. Joseph R. Anderson (CSA), was checking with the Secretary of War to see if he must obey the order sent from Brig. Gen. Wise. Brig. Gen. Wise documented that he considered this unit to be part of his "Legion" and they were sent to Wilmington to recruit on his behalf. [Huh? NC battalion raised to report to a VA regiment?] CSA Secretary of War, Judah P. Benjamin, soon got Lt. Col. Green and the 2nd NC Battalion-Infantry moving northward to join at Roanoke Island.

On February 7th, Brig. Gen. Wise sent a note to Col. Henry M. Shaw (8th NC Regiment) that he was sending Lt. Col. Francis P. Anderson (59th VA Regiment) with ten (10) companies as re-inforcements with instructions on how to deploy them. Brig. Gen. Wise also sent instructions to Lt. Col. Anderson. Brig. Gen. Wise was at Nag's Head sick, and he had over 300 men with him, after sending Lt. Col. Anderson to Roanoke Island. He noted that he could hear the Union bombardment all that day. His Assistant Adjutant General, C.B. Duffield, provided a summary of the day's battle in a letter to Maj. Gen. Benjamin Huger (CSA, Norfolk) on February 8th.

Col. Henry M. Shaw (8th NC Regiment) submitted his four (4) page report on the Battle of Roanoke Island. He also transmitted separate reports from Col. John V. Jordan (31st NC Regiment), Lt. Col. Francis "Frank" P. Anderson (59th VA Regiment), Lt. Col. Wharton J. Green (2nd NC Battalion-Infantry), Maj. Gabriel H. Hill (7th NC Volunteers), Maj. H.W. Fry (46th VA Regiment), Capt. James M. Whitson (8th NC Regiment, Company B), and Capt. John S. Taylor (CSA Heavy Artillery). Col. Shaw's report included the numbers killed (23) and wounded (58). Of those, the Virginia units lost 6 killed, 28 wounded; NC units lost 16 killed, 30 wounded. The CSA Engineering Department lost one (1) lieutenant killed.

Capt. James M. Whitson (8th NC Regiment) gave his account of the Battle of Roanoke, then ended with the names of his known men who managed to escape capture.

Col. John V. Jordan (31st NC Regiment) provided two (2) pages summarizing his regiment's actions at the Battle of Roanoke Island. He reported that he had 475 men in action, with 2 killed, 8 wounded.

Lt. Col. Wharton J. Green (2nd NC Battalion-Infantry) provided a little over a page summarizing his battalion's actions at the Battle of Roanoke Island. As ordered by Adjutant General Cooper (CSA), his battalion left Wilmington on February 1st, were detained two (2) days in Norfolk due to lack of transport, then left Norfolk on February 5th in tow of the canal tugboat White. He and his men were discharged onto Roanoke Island on February 8th near Fort Russell. He soon met the enemy, but was soon apprised that a surrender was already announced. In a brief firefight, he lost 3 men killed and 5 wounded, 2 of which later died.

Maj. H.W. Fry (46th VA Regiment) provided very brief report summarizing his detachment's actions at the Battle of Roanoke Island. He reported that he led Companies B, D, G, and K, about 150 men, and soon found Col. Henry M. Shaw, who advised him to turn around and save his men. He returned to where his men landed, but there was no transportation there to take them back to Nag's Head; they were soon POWs.

Lt. Col. Francis "Frank" P. Anderson (59th VA Regiment) provided a page and a half report summarizing his regiment's actions at the Battle of Roanoke Island. He led two (2) companies of the 46th VA Regiment and eight (8) companies of the 59th VA Regiment, amounting to about 450 men, and they went to the main road by 6:00 p.m. on February 7th. Lt. Col. Anderson reported 6 killed, 28 wounded.

Maj. Gabriel H. Hill (7th NC Volunteers-Commandant of Fort Bartow) provided a page and a half report summarizing the events at Fort Bartow during the Battle of Roanoke Island.

Fort Bartow on Roanoke Island after Union Captured it on February 8, 1862

Maj. Hill described the heavy bombardment by the Union fleet all afternoon on February 7th. He had only four (4) guns that he could bring to bear, all were 32-pounders. 14 shots originated from No. 6, a 57 cwt. 32-pounder on a navy carriage in embrasure. He fired 30 rounds from No. 7, a rifled 32-pounder on a navy barbette carriage. He fired 161 rounds from No.8 and No. 9, bringing the total rounds fired that day to 205. The Union bombardment did little damage to Fort Bartow and his men had all repairs completed overnight. The next morning he fired about 40 shells, then abandoned the fort, destroyed the ammunition, and disabled the guns.

Cap. John S. Taylor (CSA Heavy Artillery) provided a one-page report summarizing his command of Fort Huger and Fort Blanchard at Weir's Point on Roanoke Island. He reported that he did not have time to destroy the guns at these forts, but he destroyed the ammunition. He reported 1 man killed, 3 wounded.

The final report found was an 8-page synopsis of the Battle of Roanoke Island – the Report of the Investgating Committee of the Confederate House of Representatives. They found that Roanoke Island was an important Military Post and should have been given much more attention, manpower, and other resources – whatever it took to keep from capture. They concluded that Maj. Gen. Benjamin Huger (CSA, Norfolk) and the CSA Secretary of War, Judah P. Benjamin were ultimately responsible for the loss of Roanoke Island.

8th NC Regiment (State Troops):
Col. Henry M. Shaw - Commanding Officer (POW),
Lt. Col. William J. Price (POW),
Maj. George Williamson (POW),
Company A–Capt. James A. Hinton (POW),
Company B–"Shaw Guards" – Capt. James M. Whitson (POW),
Company C–Capt. Henry MacRae (POW),
Company D–Capt. Andrew J. Rogers (POW),
Company E–"Manchester Guards" – Capt. John R. Muchison (POW),
Company F–Capt. Charles Johnston Jones (absent)
Company G–"Gen. Bragg Guards"–Capt. Edward C. Yellowley (POW),
Company H–Capt. Rufus A. Barrier (POW),
Company I–Capt. Gaston D. Cobb (POW),
Company K – Capt. Pinkney A. Kennerly (POW),

7th NC Volunteers (State Troops) Detachment:
Maj. Gabriel H. Will (Commandant of Fort Bartow) (POW),
Company I–"John Harvey Guards"–Capt. Lucius J. Johnson (POW),
Company K–"Confederate Guards"–Capt. James H. Swindell (escaped),
Company L–"State Guards"–Capt. John B. Fearing (POW),

31st NC Regiment (State Troops):
Col. John V. Jordan (POW),
Lt. Col. Daniel G. Fowle (POW),
Maj. Jesse J. Yeates (POW),
Adjutant Joseph W. Holden (POW),
Company A – Capt. Condary Godwin (not captured-Ft. Forrest),
Company B – "O.K. Boys" – Capt. Edward R. Liles (POW),
Company C – "Chalybeate Guards" – Capt. Andrew W. Betts (POW),
Company D – Capt. Langdon C. Manly (POW),
Company E – Capt. Jesse Miller (POW),
Company F – Capt. Charles W. Knight (POW),
Company G – Capt. Julian Picot (POW),
Company H – Capt. Willis D. Jones (POW),
Company I – "Cape Fear Boys" – Capt. John A.D. McKay (POW),
Company K – Capt. Joseph Whitty (POW),

2nd NC Battalion-Infantry (State Troops):
Lt. Col. Wharton J. Green (POW),
Maj.Marcus Erwin (POW),
Adjutant John W. McNutt (POW),
Company A – "Brown Mountain Boys" – Capt. Milton Smith (POW),
Company B – Capt. David M. Cooper (POW),
Company C – Capt. Robert C. Overbey (POW),
Company D – Capt. Edward Smith (POW),
Company E – "The Anthony Grays" – Capt. Wilds S. DuBose (POW),
Company F – Capt. Hezekiah L. Andrews (POW),
Company G – Capt. William H. Wheeler (POW),
Company H – "Madison Guards" – Capt. Lawrence M. Allen (POW),

CSA Heavy Artillery:
Capt. John S. Taylor (Commandant of Fort Huger & Fort Blanchard) (POW),

46th VA Regiment (cannot find names of all officers, nor which were there):
Lt. Col. J. H. Richardson,
Maj. H.W. Fry,
Company A – "Liberty Guards" – Capt. O. Jennings Wise (POW)
Company B – "Pigg River Invincibles" –
Company C – "Greenbrier Mountain Rifles" –
Company D – "Scottsville Grays" –
Company E – "Sussex Jackson Avengers" –
Company F – "Bruce Rifles" –
Company G – "Albemarle Jackson Avengers" –
Company H – "Green Mountain Grays" –
Company I – "James River Rifles" –
Company K – "George Pannill's Company" –

59th VA Regiment (cannot find names of all officers, nor which were there):
Col. Charles F. Henningsen,
Lt. Col. Francis "Frank" P. Anderson,
Maj. John Lawson,
Company A – "Richmond Light Infantry Blues" – Lt. Hazlett
Company B – "Beirne's Sharpshooters" –
Company C – "White Sulphur Rifles" –
Company D – "Border Guards" –
Company E – "Unknown" – Capt. Dickinson (POW),
Company F – "Dixie Rifles" –
Company G – "Alleghany Rifles" –
Company H – "Red Sulphur Yankee Hunters" –
Company I – "Jackson Guard" –
Company K – "Irvin's Company" – Lt. Roy (POW),

Mosquito Fleet (CS Navy):
Flag Officer William F. Lynch

C.S.S. Sea-Bird (Flag Ship) – Lt. Patrick McCarrick,
C.S.S. Curlew (hit, ran aground) – Lt. Thomas T. Hunter,
C.S.S. Ellis – Lt. James W. Cooke,
C.S.S. Beaufort – Lt. Robert C. Duvall.
C.S.S. Raleigh – Lt. Joseph W. Alexander,
C.S.S. Fanny – Midshipman John L. Tayloe,
C.S.S. Forrest – Lt. J.L. Hoole (wounded)
C.S.S. Black Warrior – Lt. F.M. Harris (probably not in action)

U.S. Army, Coast Division:
Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside,
Assistant Adjutant General (Capt.) Lewis Richmond,
Aide-de-Camp (Lt.) D.A. Pell,

1st Brigade – Brig. Gen. John G. Foster,
Aide-de-Camp (Capt.) Daniel Messinger,
Aide-de-Camp (Lt.) E.N. Strong,
Aide-de-Camp (Lt.) James H. Strong,
Aide-de-Camp (Lt.) James M. Pendleton,
10th CT Infantry – Col. Charles L. Russell (KIA),
23rd MA Infantry – Col. John Krutz,
24th MA Infantry – Col. Thomas G. Stevenson,
25th MA Infantry – Col. Edwin M. Upton,
27th MA Infantry – Col. Horace C. Lee,

2nd Brigade – Brig. Gen. Jesse L. Reno,
Aide-de-Camp (Capt.) Montgomery Ritchie,
21st MA Infantry – Lt. Col. Alberto R. Maggi,
9th NJ Infantry – Lt. Col. Charles A. Heckman,
51st NY Infantry – Col. Edward Ferrero,
51st PA Infantry – Col. John F. Hartranft,

3rd Brigade - Brig. Gen. John G. Parke,
8th CT Infantry – Col. Edward Harland,
11th CT Infantry –Col. Henry W. Kingsbury (regiment not engaged),
9th NY Infantry – Col. Rush C. Hawkins,
4th RI Infantry – Col. Isaac P. Rodman,
5th RI Infantry Detachment - Maj. John Wright

Unassigned Detachments:
1st NY Marine Artillery Detachment - Col. William A. Howard,
99th NY (Union Coast Guard) Detachment - Lt. Col. Charles W. Tillotson

U.S. Army Gunboats:
Chasseur,
Hussar,
Lancer,
Picket,
Pioneer,
Ranger,
Sentinel,
Vidette,
Zouave (sank during storm)

U.S. Navy, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron:
Flag Offficer Louis M. Goldsborough,

U.S.S. Philadelphia (Flag Ship - unfit, did not participate)
U.S.S. Southfield – Acting Volunteer Lt. C.F.W. Behm,
U.S.S. Delaware – Lt. S.P. Quackenbush,
U.S.S. Stars & Stripes – Lt. Reed Werden,
U.S.S. Louisiana – Lt. A. Murray,
U.S.S. Hetzel – Lt. H.K. Davenport,
U.S.S. Underwriter – Lt. W.N. Jeffers,
U.S.S. Commodore Perry – Lt. C.W. Flusser,
U.S.S. Valley City – Lt. J.C. Chaplin,
U.S.S. Commodore Barney – Acting Volunteer Lt. R.T. Renshaw,
U.S.S. Hunchback – Acting Volunteer Lt. E.R. Colhoun,
U.S.S. Morse – Acting Master Peter Hayes,
U.S.S. Whitehead – Acting Master Charles French,
U.S.S. John L. Lockwood – Acting Master G.W. Graves,
U.S.S. Henry Brinker – Acting Master John E. Giddings,
U.S.S. Isaac N. Seymour – Acting Master F.S. Wells,
U.S.S. Ceres – Acting Master John McDiarmid,
U.S.S. General Putnam – Acting Master W.J. Hotchkiss,
U.S.S. Shawsheen – Acting Master T.G. Woodward,
U.S.S. Granite – Acting Master's Mate E. Boomer
U.S.S. City of New York (sank during storm) –
U.S.S. Pocahontas (sank during storm) –
U.S.S. Grapeshot (ran aground during storm) –
U.S.S. John Trucks (forced to turn back) –

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North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume III, P.259-341.
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume IV, P.515.
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume VI, P.118-119, 180-181, 192.
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume VIII, P. 424-512.
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume XX, P.179-212.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Roanoke_Island

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume IX, P.73-191.

http://www.researchonline.net/vacw/unit564.htm

http://www.researchonline.net/vacw/unit524.htm