Near Manteo in Dare County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Naval Battle of Roanoke Island
May 8, 2007
1. Naval Battle of Roanoke Island Marker
North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
During late January, 1862, a Federal land-sea expedition assembled at Hatteras Inlet to take Roanoke Island and capture control of the North Carolina Sound region. This force was under the joint command of General Ambrose Burnside and navy Flag-Officer Louis Goldsborough. After several delays due to bad weather, the Union fleet, consisting of numerous troop transports and more than 20 war vessels, arrived at the southern end of Roanoke Island. On February 7, 1862, Federal warships (O) bombarded Fort Bartow (J), southernmost of the Confederate defenses. The fort returned the fire but with little effect. The Confederate fleet (N), under Captain W.F.Lynch, waited to engage the Federals behind a line of obstructions (M) placed in Croatan Sound to retard the Federal advance. However, the Confederate fleet, after a sharp engagement which was ended only by darkness, was forced to retire due to a lack of ammunition. On February 8, 1862, the Federal fleet bombarded various positions on Roanoke Island in support of General Burnsides land offensive. After the Union victory on the afternoon of February 8, a detachment of Federal ships under Commander S. C. Rowan was sent into Albemarle Sound in pursuit of the Confederate fleet. The Union forces were now in control of most of the inland waters of north-eastern North Carolina.
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1862.
Location. 35° 55.647′ N, 75° 43.412′ W. Marker is near Manteo, North Carolina, in Dare County. It is on U.S. 64/264 near Freedman's Colony Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on Roanoke Island at a pull-off on the right just before the William B. Umstead Memorial Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manteo NC 27954, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Outer Banks. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Huger (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Blanchard (approx. 0.2 miles away); R. A. Fessenden (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Freedom Trail (approx. 0.9 miles away); First English Colonies (approx. one mile away); Welcome to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (approx. one mile away); The Elizabethan Gardens (approx. one mile away); The Elizabethan Garden (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manteo.
Other markers no longer nearby. Deliverance (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Bondage
May 8, 2007
2. Close-up of Map
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Roanoke Island. History of War entry:
Short article about the battle. (Submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Overwhelming Success of the Burnside Expedition. New York Times news article from February 1862. (Submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. More Photos of Ashby Harbor and the Naval Battle Area. From Civil War Album. (Submitted on January 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
May 8, 2007
3. Naval Battle of Roanoke Island Marker
via History Central, 1862
4. Naval Battle of Roanoke Island
"Destruction of Commodore [William F.] Lynchs Fleet by the Union Gun-boats" from Harper's Weekly, March 1, 1862
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2008. This page has been viewed 3,560 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2008. 4. submitted on February 21, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
