Fort Clark.—Water-battery mounting 5 guns.
Fort Hatteras.—Earthwork mounting 20 guns.
Early on the morning of the 28th, the Wabash, with the Cumberland in tow, led in to attack Fort Clark, followed by the Minnesota and later by the Susquehanna. This battery was bombarded for three hours, the ships passing and repassing, when it was deserted and not reoccupied. The remainder of the squadron were employed during the forenoon landing troops, but owing to the rough surf only landed 300 men, who occupied and raised a flag on Fort Clark, but took no part in the action at any time. Late in the afternoon fire from the whole fleet was opened on Fort Hatteras and continued for two hours, when the ships drew out of action for the night. At 8 a.m. next day, the frigates led in and opened the engagement, continuing it for three hours, when Fort Hatteras surrendered. Six hundred and seventy prisoners were taken in addition to the forts with their armaments. The gun-boats were slightly injured, and four or five men wounded. Loss of the Confederates unknown beyond 18 wounded prisoners.
Earthworks at Hilton Head,
November 7, 1861.
FEDERAL.
MAIN SQUADRON.
| Guns. | |
| Wabash | 45 |
| Susquehanna | 17 |
| Mohican | 7 |
| Seminole | 6 |
| Pawnee | 15 |
| Unadilla | 6 |
| Ottawa | 5 |
| Pembina | 4 |
| Vandalia | 22 |
| (In tow of a light gun-boat.) | |
FLANKING SQUADRON.
| Bienville | 11 |
| Seneca | 4 |
| Curlew | 6 |
| Penguin | 9 |
| Augusta | 10 |
CONFEDERATE.
Fort Walker.—II 6-inch rifles, XII 32-pdrs., I 10-inch, II 8-inch, III 7-inch, I 42-pdr., II 12-pdrs., smooth-bores = 23 guns.