North Carolina Campaign 11 January 11–20 April 1862

The North Carolina Campaign was a series of amphibious operations under the command of Federal Brigadier General Burnside. Burnside was determined to close the blockade-running ports on the 200-mile-long (320-km) North Carolina coast. Aided by the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, on 11 January 1862 he took a fleet of over 60 vessels with some 15,000 troops from Hampton roads to the North Carolina Sounds. Burnside landed on Roanoke Island on 7 February, forcing its Confederate defenders to surrender on 8 February. He proceeded to destroy the rest of the Confederate flotilla and to occupy Elizabeth City. Burnside cut a swathe through a series of North Carolina coastal towns until his forces were defeated at South Mills on 19 April. On 20 April, the Federal forces withdrew to the Pasquotank River and returned to their bases.