DECEMBER 20TH, 1864: Boats from the USS Chicopee, Valley City and Wyalusing under the command of Commander Macomb on an expedition to engage Confederate troops at Rainbow Bluff, N.C., on the Roanoke River, were fired upon while dragging for torpedoes, seven miles below the bluff.
Macomb then put skirmishers on the banks to clear the Southerners out, but made very slow process.
After the destruction of the USS Ostego and Bazely on 9 December, the Union gunboats moved very slowly and carefully up the river, using small boats to drag for the torpedoes and were continuously harassed by riflemen on the banks.
--Old B-R'er
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