In April, 1862,
General Reno, with
New England, New York, and
Pennsylvania troops, went in transports up the
Pasquotank to within 3 miles of
Elizabeth City, N. C., and, landing cautiously in the night of the 19th, a part of them, under
Colonel Hawkins, pushed forward to surprise and intercept a body of Confederates known to be about leaving that place for
Norfolk.
Misled by his guide, the
Confederates were apprised of the movement before he appeared, and near
South Mills, in the vicinity of Camden Court-house, they assailed the Nationals with grape and canister.
Reno, with his main body, met the attack bravely.
The Confederates were flanked, and hastily withdrew.
A gunboat drove them out of the woods along the river-bank, and
Hawkins's Zouaves made a charge, but were repulsed with heavy loss.
The Confederates were defeated.
This event caused much consternation at
Norfolk.
The
Nationals lost (chiefly of
Hawkins's Zouaves) fifteen killed, ninety-six wounded, and two made prisoners.
The Confederates left thirty killed and wounded on the field.
Winton, at the head of the
Chowan;
Plymouth, at the mouth of the
Roanoke; and
Washington, at the head of the
Pamlico River, were now all quietly occupied by the
National forces.
For the remainder of the year the coasts of
North Carolina were in possession of the Nationals.
