8 Feb, 1862: Saturday

Government/Personal - Union
In the White House, Willie continues to be desperately ill with typhoid.

He asks General McClellan if there is any further news from the West - what had happened to canal boats sent up to Harper's Ferry to bridge the Potomac. What about McClellan's comtemplated movements?

Military - Union
North Carolina
General Burnside with about 7,500 troops moves inland on Roanoke Island against less than 2,000 Confederates under the command of General Henry A. Wise.

Wise is ill, and his force is temporarily under the command of Colonel H. M. Shaw.

Burnside's troops advance rapidly to the center of the low-lying, sandy, tree-covered island, and overrun the Confederate entrenchments, , pushing them to the north end of the island. Shaw had no recourse but to surrender his 2,000 men, including some reinforcements that came too late for the fight.

Confederate casualties were 23 killed and 62 eounded
Union casualties were 37 killed, 214 wounded, and 13 missing.

30 guns also fell inro Union hands.

While a relatively small engagement, numbers wise, Roanoke Island had considerable importance. Control of Pimlico Sound gave the Union a first rate base on the Atlantic Coast for operations against North Carolina.

Western Virginia
There is a skirmish at the mouth of the Blue Stone River.

Missouri
There is a small skirmish at Bolivar, Missouri.

Kansas
The Union declares martial law throughout Kansas.

Government and Civilian - Confederacy
Richmond learns of the loss of Roanoke and is concerned, a back door to Richmond has been opened and a vital Southern state is dangerously threatened.

Bibliography
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865. E.B. Long with Barbara Long, De Capo, 1971