 Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan had ordered Burnside to make Roanoke Island his first target . Capture of the island would allow control of both Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds , opening up a possible southern invasion route to Richmond . Coordinating with a naval flotilla commanded by Admiral Louis M. Goldsborough , Burnside launched an amphibious assault ( one of the first of the Civil War ) resulting in the Battle of Roanoke Island on February 7 and 8 , 1862 . As the landing boats , each flying a national flag and packed with soldiers , made for the shore , Burnside noted that he had , " never seen a more beautiful sight . " After the landing , the 21st spent a cold , wet night on picket duty . On February 8 , it joined in the assault on the Confederate fort at the center of the island . Moving through swamps and knee @-@ deep water , Reno 's brigade , including the 21st , advanced around the Union left flank on the west side of the fort . After firing steadily on the fort for some time and taking moderate casualties , the 21st was ordered by Brig. Gen. Reno to storm the fort . According to the regimental historian , the 21st Massachusetts was the first regiment to mount the earthworks of the fort ; however , the honor was also claimed by the 9th New York . The Union forces were victorious in capturing the Confederate fort on Roanoke Island and took approximately 2 @,@ 500 Confederate soldiers prisoner . The 21st suffered 13 killed and 44 wounded , or eight percent casualties , during the engagement . 
