other boats with us were supplied with a like number of the same regiment, who were to land and coöperate with the fleet in an assault upon the enemy's works, wherever we might find them.

Winton was a pretty little Southern town, situated upon a bluff that rose thirty or forty feet from the Chowan River, and was composed of a number of fine residences, plantations, stores, churches, and other buildings. It did not seem to be of much military importance, except, perhaps, to facilitate the building 'or fitting out of blockade runners, and doubtless for this reason, was ordered our reconnaissance in this direction.

As we sailed slowly up the narrow river, the Delaware being ahead, our steamer next, and the two other gunboats following, the guns' crews were called "to quarters," the military stationed themselves at different parts of the boat, under cover, and all eyes were bent upon the thick groves and woods that lined the shores, to detect the first signs of an enemy.

We had arrived at a point within an eighth of a mile of the town, when suddenly from the top of the bluff on our port quarter a stunning fire of musketry burst upon us, with the roar of two field pieces.

We were ambushed. Quick as a flash we jumped to the guns, and backing water, sent our compliments at short range up into their midst. Peal after peal of our huge guns rent the air, sending their thundering echoes miles into the recesses of the swamp, and their screeching missiles sweeping the brow of that bluff, lined with rebel troops, and crashing over into the town beyond.

Along the edge of the bluff for over five hundred yards in extent was a constant line of fire and smoke, and though we could not discern any large portion of them from our decks, yet by their constant and heavy volleys, we judged there were not less than three thousand of the enemy.

Evidently we were getting the worst of it. They were so high above us that they completely commanded our decks, while we found it very difficult to elevate our guns to a proper degree. Night was coming on, and after a short fight the Delaware, flagship, headed down the river. As she passed us, Captain Flusser hailed to know if he should continue the fight. He was ordered to draw out and cease firing. The other two boats received the same order, and in a few minutes we were all steaming down the river, while the rebel troops made the shores resound with their yells of triumph and defiance.

The Delaware was pierced like a sieve by the storm of bullets that flew down upon her like hail, but suffered immaterially. Our boat also bore evidence of attention from the enemy, but fortunately without loss of life.

On our way down the river as we passed an opening in the woods, we espied a rebel picket, standing, leaning on his horse, and watching us very closely. He was somewhat out of range of our rifles, but our mate trained his gun on him at short range and let fly. The great shell seemed to burst in his face, and when the smoke cleared away, nothing of him or the horse could be seen. The next day, some colored people told us that both he and the horse were blown to atoms, and pieces of horse flesh could be seen scattered in every direction.

About eight miles down we met the rest of our fleet, who, on hearing our firing, and supposing we had fallen into ambush, were advancing to help us out. We all now came to anchor for the night. Vigilant watch was kept, lest we might be surprised, and the next morning soon after breakfast the cables were slipped, the decks cleared for action, and our fleet followed its commander once more up the windings of Chowan River, towards the town of Winton, which must be ours to-day at any sacrifice. As

we gained sight of the place where we had met with such a warm reception yesterday, each boat commenced a desultory fire, training their guns on every building, cover, or place that could conceal a rebel.

But our valiant rebels had fled, together with nearly all the inhabitants of the place, and without opposition we hauled up to the wharves and landed our troops, the Ninth New York Regiment. These rushed up the heights and over through the town.

Orders were given to remove those who had been left behind by the inhabitants, and to sack and burn every unoccupied house or building. As the people had left in great haste at our second approach, taking with them only such articles as they could conveniently carry, of course the boys found plenty of everything, and soon came flocking back to the boats loaded down with household goods, books, articles of food, and anything they found that suited their fancy.

One or two old and infirm people, and one woman, sick with a new born child, left by their friends to the more tender mercies of their conquerors, were carefully transported aboard one of our gunboats, and the troops began their work of destruction.

Soon great volumes of thick, black smoke rose in the air and drifted slowly over the face of the heavens, and the crackling of the seething flames as they spread from house to house, the showers of sparks and falling cinders, and the fast increasing heat of the atmosphere, told us our work here was done, and the total destruction of the town assured. Our troops came aboard; we were soon steaming down the river, and that night arrived at our old anchorage off Elizabeth City.

The next day three of our transports, having on board. twenty-six hundred paroled rebel prisoners, arrived, and

were landed at the city wharves. Saturday night a rebel officer came off to our boat, bearing a flag of truce, and boarded us, with the request that we would not shell the town, as it was now full of sick and wounded men from Roanoke. He was informed that no proposal to that effect was entertained by our fleet so long as no offensive demonstration took place among the large number of paroled prisoners now in occupation of the city, and receiving this information he put back in his boat.

From this time until March 10th, we were employed in cruising around the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds on a sort of patrol duty, watching for blockade runners or anything worthy of our shot and shell, and making our headquarters at our old anchorage ground, off Elizabeth City.

At length, at about dark, March 10th, we received sailing orders, and bidding our old stamping ground good-bye, steamed swiftly down the sound. On the 11th we arrived off Roanoke Island, and found the troops breaking camp and going aboard the transports again, steamers getting underway, tugboats flying around with orders, and everything in active preparation for another move.

We hauled alongside a store-ship, took in a supply of coal and ammunition, and reported ourselves ready for anything in the way of a trial of our strength with the enemy, and to follow our old General Burnside wherever he might lead us.

March, 1862.

CHAPTER VI.

NEWBERN AND BEAUFORT.

N common with the rest of the troops, our regiment

I

embarked on their old friend, the Eastern Queen,

which now weighed anchor, and with the rest of the fleet steamed away. It was a pretty sight, as, late in the afternoon, that vast concourse of vessels were bowling merrily along over the rippling waters of the sound, with the gunboats in the lead, with bands playing and colors flying, and soon reaching Hatteras Inlet, the signal to "heave to," brought all to anchor for the night.

The moon gilded the waters with its tranquil beauty, the night was mild and calm, and music and song floated over the waves, cheering us by its inspiration, and giving us renewed confidence for the work that yet lay before us. About the second watch in the night dark clouds began to cover the face of the moon, and a little later the rain fell thick and heavy until after sunrise, when the clouds broke.

Another day's sail brought us to the Neuse River, up which we proceeded a short distance, and anchored for the night. As soon as the morning's meal was disposed of, we of the navy got underway, leaving the transports with land forces to follow. The decks were cleared for action, guns served and run out, crews stationed, and we moved slowly up the Neuse River.