DISMAL SWAMP CANAL ★★★ The Battle of South Mills Before you is the Dismal Swamp Canal, a much Brig. Gen. J.L. Reno marched toward South Mills sought after prize of war during the Civil War. where the Confederates had constructed fortifica- The Confederates made good use of the canal tions. A brisk but brief engagement occurred at facilities during the initial stages of the conflict. South Mills on April 19. The Confederates were A large volume of supplies passed through in forced to retreat, however, the Union forces were both directions. unable to destroy the locks at South Mills. Naval ordinances and supplies were Brigadier General The Union gained control of the canal shipped through the canal for the CSS Sea Bird, Jesse L. Reno, USA shortly after the fall of Norfolk on May 10, 1862. commanded by Flag Officer W.F. Lynch, at Eliza- Yet, by 1863 their control over the region was beth City, North Carolina, on February 10, 1862. tenuous. Great quantities of supplies were smug- The supplies did not arrive before Union naval gled through the canal by Southern sympathizers forces under the command of Commander S.C. and Confederate guerrillas annoyed the Federals Rowan in the USS Commodore Perry rammed with their periodic raids. and sank the Sea Bird. During this engagement Brig. Gen. Edward A. Wild led a punitive in the Pasquotank River all but two of the Battle of South Mills expedition on May 15, 1863, from Norfolk toward Brigadier General Confederate “mosquito fleet” were destroyed or Edward A. Wild, USA South Mills and Camden Court House. The expe- captured. The CSS Appomattox and CSS Beau- dition did not appear to serve any legitimate fort sought escape via the Dismal Swamp Canal No attempts were made to capture the purpose. Black troops were used which caused to Norfolk. The Appomattox was two inches Dismal Swamp Canal until two months later. The great resentment among the local inhabitants. too wide to enter the first lock and was burned Union, fearing that the Confederates planned to The guerrillas constantly “pestered” the Union by the Confederates. The Beaufort, however, send an ironclad to the Albemarle Sound via the advance, yet escaped capture in the vastness of could negotiate the locks and made it safely canal, mounted an expedition to block the canal. the swamp. All settlements discovered along the to Norfolk. On April 17, 1862, 3,000 men commanded by march were burned and property confiscated..