Digital Exhibit Exploring the Civil War Raid on the USS Underwriter Now Available from N.C. Office of Archives and History

A new digital exhibit from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Office of Archives and History is now available online.

The exhibit, "The USS Underwriter Raid," is the first Civil War entry on MosaicNC, the department's online platform dedicated to exploring North Carolina history through interactive digital exhibits and primary source documents.

This exhibit examines the dramatic Confederate naval raid on the USS Underwriter on Feb. 2, 1864, when approximately 230 Confederate sailors launched a covert nighttime assault on the U.S. gunboat anchored near New Bern. Following fierce hand-to-hand combat and heavy gunfire, Confederate forces captured and burned the vessel.

In addition to recounting the raid itself, the exhibit explores the Confederate army and navy's joint campaign against Union-held New Bern, emphasizing the strategic importance of the city during the Civil War.

The exhibit features 64 transcribed primary source documents, such as official military reports, personal correspondence, newspaper accounts and firsthand recollections from both Union and Confederate sailors and soldiers. It also contains a rare compiled roster of all currently known sailors who participated in the raid.

Designed for audiences of all experience levels, the exhibit provides an engaging introduction for newcomers while offering Civil War researchers and history enthusiasts direct access to original historical documents.

About MosaicNC
MosaicNC is the online home for digital exhibits highlighting North Carolina's rich history. Produced by the Historical Digital Publications Office within the Office of Archives and History, the platform features interactive exhibits and transcribed primary sources covering topics from the Lost Colony to the Space Race.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.