The Battle of Elizabeth City unfolded on the Pasquotank River in North Carolina, where Union naval forces aimed at disrupting Confederate supply lines. The engagement involved a flotilla commanded by Union officer Charles H. Davis, targeting the Confederate Mosquito Fleet, which consisted of small, maneuverable vessels. These ships were critical for the Confederacy as they patrolled the rivers, providing protection against Union advances and facilitating transport between coastal areas.

As the Union flotilla advanced, the Confederates made attempts to defend their positions but were ultimately outgunned and outmaneuvered. The Union's strategic naval operations proved effective, inflicting damage that rendered the bulk of the Mosquito Fleet nonoperational. With the destruction of these vessels, the Union gained greater control over the region, allowing for more effective naval blockades and thereby limiting Confederate supply routes and their ability to sustain the war effort.

The victory at Elizabeth City signifies a pivotal moment in the naval operations of the American Civil War, highlighting the importance of control over rivers and coastal areas. This battle set a precedent for subsequent naval engagements and demonstrated the effectiveness of Union naval power in achieving military objectives against a resource-limited Confederate Navy.