Bishii Agoosto 1861, Gaashaanle sare Benjamin F. Butler iyo Sarkaalka Calanka Silas H. Stringham waxay qabsadeen Forts Hatteras iyo Clark
Waxaan ilaalinayaa meel laga soo galo Pamlico Sound. Waxay qaadatay dhowr bilood ka hor inta aan taliska sare ee Midowga ka faa'iideysan guushaas. Butler iyo Stringham waxay awoodeen inay ku qanciyaan Xoghayaha Ciidanka Badda Gideon Welles inuu ku sii wado ciidanka Hatteras Inlet si loo sii wado suurtagalnimada hawlgallada dambe ee furan. Maamulka Lincoln ma uusan ogolayn in North Carolina laga soo galo badda, laakiin General-in-Chief George B. McClellan wuxuu taageersanaa howlgalka noocaas ah. McClellan wuxuu awooday inuu ku qanciyo madaxweyne Lincoln inuu oggolaado howlgalka oo uu doorto Brigadier General Ambrose E. Burnside inuu hogaamiyo safarka.