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Processed by Christine A. Dumoulin,

Encoded by Kelly Grimm, August, 2009

North Carolina's Outer Banks was the setting for two important Civil War engagements. Union victories at Hatteras Inlet and Roanoke Island early in the war placed the area under Federal control and extended the blockade to the southern coast. The Hatteras Inlet bombardment began on August 27, 1861, when Commodore Silas Stringham and General Benjamin Butler launched an amphibious assault on the two small forts, Fort Hatteras and Fort Clark. Since the Confederate government placed a higher priority on conflicts in Virginia, the Hatteras Inlet forts were poorly equipped and the militia stationed there was poorly trained. Both forts fell within two days. The battle on Hatteras Island is significant in several ways; it was the first amphibious assault in U.S. Naval history, it was the first joint forces operation, and it was the first territory seized by the Union and held for the duration of the war.

A few months later, in February 1862, the Union assembled another fleet for an attack on Roanoke Island. Once again, the Confederate government had most of their forces committed to the defense of Richmond. They had sent only 1400 soldiers to defend the island compared with the 13,000 men and 67 vessels commissioned by the Union. Though the Confederate soldiers fought to defend the island, they were overwhelmed by the Union's far superior numbers. Hundreds of rebel troops were taken prisoner.

North Carolina's Outer Banks was the setting for two important Civil War engagements. Union victories at Hatteras Inlet and Roanoke Island early in the war placed the area under Federal control and extended the blockade to the southern coast. The Hatteras Inlet bombardment began on August 27, 1861, when Commodore Silas Stringham and General Benjamin Butler launched an amphibious assault on the two small forts, Fort Hatteras and Fort Clark. Since the Confederate government placed a higher priority on conflicts in Virginia, the Hatteras Inlet forts were poorly equipped and the militia stationed there was poorly trained. Both forts fell within two days. The battle on Hatteras Island is significant in several ways; it was the first amphibious assault in U.S. Naval history, it was the first joint forces operation, and it was the first territory seized by the Union and held for the duration of the war.

A few months later, in February 1862, the Union assembled another fleet for an attack on Roanoke Island. Once again, the Confederate government had most of their forces committed to the defense of Richmond. They had sent only 1400 soldiers to defend the island compared with the 13,000 men and 67 vessels commissioned by the Union. Though the Confederate soldiers fought to defend the island, they were overwhelmed by the Union's far superior numbers. Hundreds of rebel troops were taken prisoner.

[Identification of item], 33MSS-55, Civil War Letters, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C., U.S.A.

These letters were purchased separately by the Outer Banks History Center via auction, with the exception of the C. C. Herrington letter, which was donated by William C. Wooldridge.

Additional information on topics found in this collection may be found in the Manuscript and Archives Reference System (MARS)  http://mars.archives.ncdcr.gov.

1. The Outer Banks History Center has a vast amount of both primary and secondary materials regarding the Civil War in Coastal North Carolina. In addition to a large number of published books, regimental histories, diaries, and journals, the Center's holdings include: period newspapers, etchings and engravings from publications such as  Frank Leslie and  Harper's, original sketches and drawings, maps, and Civil War pension claims. See the finding aid for the Civil War Era Manuscripts, 1861 - 1863. Outer Banks History Center

This collection contains a group of letters written by soldiers during the Civil War. Topics discussed in the letters include: Fort Hatteras, the Fort Hatteras garrison flag, Camp Raleigh, Camp Brightwood, provost duty, the Burnside Expedition, the victory at Roanoke Island, and army food rations. One of these important letters also discusses Confederate efforts to dislodge Union forces from North Carolina's Outer Banks. This is an artificial collection assembled by the Outer Banks History Center. Letters were purchased by the Outer Banks History Center, with the exception of the C. C. Herrington letter, which was donated by William C. Wooldridge of Suffolk, Virginia, in 2009. Transcripts of all letters are included. Also included are reference articles and the research paper:  "Confederate letter: Early Operations on North Carolina's Outer Banks and Blowing Up the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse".

This collection contains a group of letters written by soldiers during the Civil War. Topics discussed in the letters include: Fort Hatteras, the Fort Hatteras garrison flag, Camp Raleigh, Camp Brightwood, provost duty, the Burnside Expedition, the victory at Roanoke Island, and army food rations. One of these important letters also discusses Confederate efforts to dislodge Union forces from North Carolina's Outer Banks. This is an artificial collection assembled by the Outer Banks History Center. Letters were purchased by the Outer Banks History Center, with the exception of the C. C. Herrington letter, which was donated by William C. Wooldridge of Suffolk, Virginia, in 2009. Transcripts of all letters are included. Also included are reference articles and the research paper:  "Confederate letter: Early Operations on North Carolina's Outer Banks and Blowing Up the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse".