Hatteras' Fort Clark, NC, falls

Bombardment of Forts Hatteras and Clark

• Today, while under fire, the United States Expeditionary Force under command of Ben Butler and Silas Stringham lands on Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with wet powder. While eight US Navy warships heavily bombard Forts Clark and Hatteras, the 900 Union troops come ashore to attack the rear of the Confederate batteries. Confederates unsuccessfully attempt to prevent the Federal attack and abandon Fort Clark under the heavy bombardment. The ships’ heavy cannonade forces the Confederates to evacuate Fort Clark. Commodore Samuel Baron, CSN, with two small vessels joined the defenders that evening. The Federals take abandoned Fort Clark with no resistance and begin firing on Confederate-held Fort Hatteras./1861
• Union Commander Dahlgren, Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard, sends 400 seamen on steamboat Philadelphia to Alexandria, Virginia, to report to Brigadier General William B. Franklin for the defense of Fort Ellsworth. This timely naval reinforcement strengthens the fort’s defenses and consequently that of the nation’s capital. /1861 
• The USS Yankee, commanded by Cdr. T.T. Craven, captures the schooner Remittance near Piney Point, Virginia./1861

• The United States War Department gives Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant the command of Union troops in southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois./1861 
• Skirmishes occur in Missouri at Ball's Mills and Lexington, in Virginia at Bailey's Cross Roads and Bailey's Corners, and in Western Virginia at Gauley Bridge./1861

Related articles

• Hatteras Expedition departs, CS win at Kessler's Cross Lanes (wbts-calendar.blogspot.com)
• Surprised and Routed at Carnifex Ferry; To Hatteras! (civilwardailygazette.com)
• Floyd Hopes to Ditch Wise; Benjamin Butler Doesn't Plan an Attack (civilwardailygazette.com)