The Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries (August 28–29, 1861) is the first combined operation of the Union Army and Navy in the American Civil War, resulting in Union domination of the strategically important North Carolina Sounds.
Two forts on the Outer Banks (Fort Clark and Fort Hatteras) have been built by the Confederates to protect their commerce-raiding activity, but these are lightly-defended, and their artillery cannot engage the bombarding fleet under Flag Officer Silas H. Stringham, commandant of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron, which has been ordered to keep moving, to avoid presenting a static target.
Although held up by bad weather, the fleet is able to land troops under General Ben Butler, who takes the surrender of Flag Officer Samuel Barron.
This battle represents the first application of the naval blockading strategy.
The Union retains both forts, providing valuable access to the sounds, and commerce raiding is much reduced.
The victory is welcomed by a demoralized Northern public after the humiliation of 1st Bull Run.
The engagement is sometimes known as the Battle of Forts Hatteras and Clark.
