The Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries took place in late August 1861, primarily involving Union naval and land forces targeting two Confederate forts stationed at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Fort Hatteras and its companion Fort Clark were critical for controlling access to the waters and ports of North Carolina, which held strategic importance for both supply and troop movements during the American Civil War. Following initial skirmishes, Union commanders devised a coordinated attack involving naval vessels from the North that would bombard the forts while simultaneously landing troops on the shore. The Union-operated ships, including the USS Susquehanna and the USS Minnesota, approached under the cover of naval firepower, providing a crucial advantage against the less equipped Confederate defenders.The attack commenced with a heavy naval barrage on August 27, 1861, which significantly damaged the fortifications of the Confederates. By the following day, Union troops landed and engaged in direct assaults. The defenders, outmanned and outgunned, struggled to maintain their positions as the bombardment continued. Ultimately, the Union forces were able to capture both forts, leading to the surrender of approximately 700 Confederate troops. This victory not only secured the region for the Union but also opened the Outer Banks as a base of operations, facilitating future military engagements in the Southern states. The capture of Hatteras was one of the first significant territorial victories for the Union in the Civil War and set the stage for more extensive campaigns in the coastal regions of the South.