On 26 August, the flotilla, less "Susquehanna" and "Cumberland," departed Hampton Roads and moved down the coast to the vicinity of Cape Hatteras. On the way, they were joined by "Cumberland." They swung around the Cape on 27 August and anchored near the inlet, in full view of the defenders there. Colonel William F. Martin of the 7th North Carolina Infantry, commanding at Forts Hatteras and Clark, knew that his 580 or so men would need help, so he called for reinforcements from Forts Ocracoke and Oregon. Unfortunately for him and his garrison, communication among the forts was slow, and the first reinforcements did not arrive until late the next day, when it was too late.