Rowan, Stephen Clegg (1805-1890) [Congratulatory address to his men after capturing Elizabeth City, North Carolina]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04405 Author/Creator: Rowan, Stephen Clegg (1805-1890) Place Written: Elizabeth City, North Carolina Type: Letter signed Date: 11 February 1862 Pagination: 1 p. ; 31.5 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Congratulating his men on the Union's naval victory and capture of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. During this battle the Union also destroyed what little was left of the Confederate navy, for the time being. Applauds his men's "coolness, gallantry and skill." Commends their "strict observance of the plan of attack, and the steady but onward course of the ships without returning a shot until within 3/4 of a mile of the Fort." Congratulates them for "refraining from trespassing in the slightest degree upon the private property of defenseless people in a defenseless town." Believes "the generous offer to go onshore and extinguish the flames supplied by the torch of a vandal soldiery upon the houses of its own defenseless women and children is a striking evidence of the justness of our cause, and must have its affect in teaching the deluding countrymen a lesson in Humanity and Civilization." Written on board the "U. S. Steamer Delaware, Off Elizabeth City."
Stephen Clegg was captain of the steam-sloop Pawnee at the outbreak of the American Civil War. He made gallant attempts to relieve Fort Sumter and to burn the Norfolk Navy Yard. In the fall of 1861, he assisted in the capture of the forts at Hatteras Inlet. Taking command of a flotilla in the North Carolina sounds, he cooperated in the capture of Roanoke Island in February 1862. Promoted to captain for gallantry, he then supported the capture of Elizabeth City, Edenton, and New Bern. Rose to rank of Vice-Admiral.
U.S. Steamer Delaware
Off Elizabeth City.
February 11th 1862.
Order
The Commander of the Flotilla in Albemarle Sound, avails himself of the earliest moment to make a public acknowledgement of the coolness, gallantry and skill displayed by the Officers and men under his command, in the capture and destruction of the enemy's Battery and Squadron at Cobb's Point.
The strict observance of the plan of attack, and the steady but onward course of the ships without returning a shot until within three quarters of a mile of the Fort, excited the admiration of our enemies.
The undersigned is particularly gratified at the evidence of the high discipline of the crews in refraining from trespassing in the slightest degree upon the private property of defenceless people in a defenceless town. The generous offer to go on shore and extinguish the flames applied by the torch of a vandal soldiery upon the houses of its own defenceless women and children is a striking evidence of the justness of our cause, and must have its affect in teaching our deluded countrymen a lesson in Humanity and Civilization.
S.C. Rowan
Comming Naval Flotilla
Albemarl Sound
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