. The bar, which is known as Buckhead
Shoal, was an expanse of quicksand a mile wide, with a tortuous
channel ever changing with the shifting sands. Many of the ships
stranded, and the tugs were constantly busy in towing them off.
Scarcely would one be safely afloat, than another would "bring up all
standing" on some new shoal. Two weeks elapsed before all the vessels
were safe within the landlocked sound. They were none too soon; for
hardly had the last vessel crossed the bar, than the black gathering
clouds, the murky, tossing sea, and the foaming billows breaking on
the bar, foretold another of the storms for which Cape Hatteras is
famed. Through the storm a queer-looking craft was seen approaching
the fleet. It was found to be a boat-load of escaping slaves, who had
put to sea at random, feeling sure of finding "de Yankees" somewhere.
From these men much valuable information was obtained.

Up to this time no one in the fleet, excepting the superior officers,
was informed as to the exact destination of the expedition. Now as the
signal to get under way blew out from the foremast of the flagship,
and as the prow of the leading vessel was turned to the northward, all
knew, and all cried, "Roanoke Island." This island was heavily
fortified by the Confederates, and from its position was a point of
considerable strategic importance. It guards the entrance to Pamlico
Sound from Albemarle Sound, and into Pamlico Sound open great bays and
rivers that penetrate far into the interior of Virginia and North
Carolina. On this island the Confederates had erected three forts of
formidable strength. These forts commanded the channel through which
the vessels would have to pass; and to make the task doubly dangerous,
the channel was obstructed with sharpened piles and sunken hulks, so
as to be apparently impassable. Beyond the obstructions was the
Confederate fleet, which, though insignificant compared with the
attacking squadron, was formidable in connection with the forts. It
was the task of the invaders to capture these forts, and destroy the
fleet.

It was on Feb. 5 that the squadron prepared to leave its moorings at
Hatteras Inlet. It was an imposing spectacle. The flagship
"Philadelphia" led the naval squadron, which advanced with the
precision of a body of troops. Behind, with less regularity, came the
army transports. About one hundred vessels were in the three columns
that moved over the placid waters of the sound toward t