XXI.
UP THE SOUND.
So passed that Sunday, memorable to the expedition; for it ushered in thebattle-week.
Besides the transports and store-ships belonging to the coast division, asquadron of United States gunboats, under command of CommodoreGoldsborough, had rendezvoused at the inlet. These were to take care ofthe rebel fleet, attend to the shore batteries, and prepare the way forthe operation of the land forces.
All the vessels destined to take part in the advance were now over thebulkhead, in Pamlico Sound. On Monday, the sailing vessels were hauledinto position, each astern of its steam-consort, by which it was to betowed. Sixty-five vessels of various classes were to participate in themovement; while upwards of fifty were to remain behind at the inlet,holding in reserve sixty days' supply of stores for the entireexpedition.
The stay at the inlet had occasionally been enlivened by the arrival ofrefugees, white and black, from the coast of North Carolina. Some ofthese were citizens escaped from the persecutions meted out by the rebelsto all who still remained loyal to the old flag. Some were deserters fromthe confederate army, in which they had been compelled to serve. Otherswere slaves fleeing from bondage to freedom.
Again, on Monday, a sail-boat hove in sight, and, being overhauled by oneof the gunboats, proved to be loaded with these fugitives. They weremostly negroes; two of whom were bright, intelligent boys, who gave suchevidence of joy at their escape, of loyalty to the Union, and of athorough knowledge of the country, that Flag-officer Goldsboroughretained them for the information they might be able to give, while therest were sent ashore.
And now, general orders were read to the troops, announcing to them thatthey were soon to land on the coast of North Carolina, and reminding themthat they were there, not to pillage or destroy private property, but tosubdue the rebellion, and to maintain the Constitution and the laws.
Monday and Tuesday were occupied with preparations. But early Wednesdaymorning--more than three weeks after the arrival of the expedition at theinlet--the signals to weigh anchor and set sail were given.
Commodore Goldsborough's gunboat took the lead. Other vessels of thenaval squadron followed. Then came the transports--a goodly spectacle.
"''Twere wuth ten years of peaceful life, one glance at our array,'"observed the poetical Tucket.
Each brigade formed three columns of steamers and sailing vessels in tow;and brigade followed brigade. The shallow water of the sound was scarcelyruffled by a breeze. It lay like a field of silver before the furrows ofthe fleet. The tall, taper masts of the schooners pointed like needles tothe sky under which they moved. The aisles between the three columns ofships were unbroken through the whole length of the fleet, which extendedfor two miles over the surface of the sound, and advanced with such slowand uniform motion, each vessel keeping its position, that now all seemedmoving as one, and again all seemed at rest, with the waters of the soundflowing past their steady keels.
As yet, the destination of the fleet was unknown. As it proceeded atfirst southward and westward, the rumor grew that Newbern was to beattacked. But it was only the course of the channel which thus far shapedits course; and after a few zigzag turns, the cause of which wasinexplicable to the green ones, ignorant of the shoals, it began to steerdue north. Then all doubts with regard to its destination vanished.
"Roanoke Island, boys! Roanoke Island!" was echoed from mouth to mouth onboard the schooner.
The day was beautiful--only a light breeze blowing, and a few lightclouds floating in the blue ether. And now the vessels at the inlet beganto sink below the horizon; first, the hulls, then the decks disappeared;and lastly, spars and rigging went down behind the curve of the sphere,and were visible no more to the clearest glass.
At the same time emerged in the west the main land of North Carolina. Atfirst, tall cypresses rose to view, growing as it were "out of a mirror."Then appeared the long swampy shores, lying dim and low, with here andthere a miserable fish-house, the sole trace of human habitation.
At sundown the fleet was within ten miles of Roanoke Island. The signalfrom the flag-ship was given, at which the vessels of each brigade drewtogether, the clank of running-out chains sounded along the lines, theanchors plashed, and the fleet was moored for the night.
As yet there were no signs of rebels. What the morrow, what the night,might bring forth was all uncertainty. The night set in dark enough. Butsoon the sky cleared, the moon came out resplendent, and the stars lookeddown from their far eternal calm upon the evanescent shows of mortalconflict--the batteries of the rebellion yonder, and here the fleet, nomore than the tiniest shells to those distant, serene, awful eyes ofDeity. And Frank looked up at the stars; and the spirit within him said,"They will shine the same to-morrow night, and the next night, andforever; and whether there is war or peace, whether victory comes ordefeat, and whether thou, child, art living or art dead, they know not,they change not, neither do they rejoice or mourn." And the thought sankdeep into the heart of the boy as he retired to his bed, and closed hiseyes to sleep.
A sharp lookout was kept for the rebel gunboats all night, but they nevermade their appearance. The next morning the weather was heavy--promisingrain. At eight o'clock, however, the signal to weigh anchor--the UnionJack at the foremast, and the American flag at the stern--was telegraphedfrom the flag-ship, and repeated by the flag-ship of each brigade. Againthe fleet got in motion, approaching the entrance to Croatan Sound. Thewater was shoal, and progress was slow, and soon it came on to rain. Itwas a dismal day; rain on the decks, rain on the water, rain on themarshy shores of the main land, and over the forests beyond, where theghosts of blasted trees stretched their naked arms despairingly to thedripping clouds. And now a low swampy point of Roanoke Island pushes outinto the dim water, under a veil of rain.
At about noon, most of the vessels came to anchor. But some of thegunboats advanced to the entrance of Croatan Sound, and reconnoitred. Therebel fleet was discovered, drawn up in line of battle on the west sideof the island, awaiting the conflict. A fog coming on, active operationsagainst the enemy were postponed, and the gunboats, withdrawing also,came to anchor for the night.
During the day, several of the armed steamers, which had served astransports, prepared to cooperate with the naval squadron in their truecharacter as gunboats; the troops on board of them being distributedamong other vessels of the coast division. Among the steamers thuscleared was the schooner's consort; and thus it happened that Mr. Sinjinreturned to his old quarters, to the great joy of the drummer boy, whoseheart burned within him at the thought of meeting his old friend oncemore, after their unhappy parting.
They met, indeed; but the schooner was now so crowded, and such was thestir on board, that Frank scarce found an opportunity to offer theveteran his hand, and get one look out of those serious gray eyes.
The drummers being assembled, the surgeon came to them, and gave each astrip of red flannel to tie on his arm as a token, at the same timeinforming them that, when the troops landed, they were to go with him andhelp carry the wounded.
"This begins to look like serious business, my boy," said the olddrummer, kindly, as he stooped to assist Frank in tying on his badge.
His touch was very gentle. Frank's breast began to swell. But before hecould speak the old man had disappeared in the crowd.
"He don't know yet that I know he gave me the watch," thought the boy,"and he wouldn't look and see that I have it again."
Then he regarded the red token on his arm, and remembered that they allhad other things to think of now.
Picket-boats were out in advance all night, at the entrance to CroatanSound, in the darkness and fog, keeping watch for the enemy. No enemyappeared. Towards morning, however, the fog lifting, two rebel steamerswere seen hastily taking to their heels, having come down in theobscurity to see what they could see.
It was Friday, the 7th of February. The morning was beautiful; thesunrise came in clouds o
f glory; there was as yet no taint of battle inthe purity of the air. It was a lovely day for a sea fight. Frank climbedinto the rigging to observe.
At ten o'clock Goldsborough's gunboats could be seen making their way,one by one, cautiously, through the narrow channel between marshy islandsinto Croatan Sound. There were nineteen of them. The gunboats of thecoast division followed, six in number. The S. R. Spaulding, to whichBurnside had transferred his flag, next went in, making signals for thetransports to follow.
Far off a gun was heard. It was only a signal fired by a rebel steamer toannounce the approach of the squadron; but it thrilled the hearts of thetroops waiting to go into battle.
An hour later another cannon boomed, nearer and louder. It was a shottossed from the commodore's flag-ship at the rebels, who promptlyresponded.
The flag-ship now hoisted the signal,--
"THIS DAY OUR COUNTRY EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY."
From ship to ship, from man to man, from heart to heart, thrilled theelectric message. It was greeted by cheers and the thunder of guns. Thiswas at half past eleven o'clock.