The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-07-10
GENERAL BuRMSIDE'S CORPS.
THE FORWARD MOVEMENT.
SKIRMSH AT SWIFT CREEK BRIDGE.
Reconnaissance TO TRANTER'S CREEK.
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O. FICIAL r. II r o r T.
THE FOURTH IN NEWBERN,
&c.. &C.. 90.
GENERAL BuRMsIDE's CORPS.

THE FOURTH IN NEWBERN,
&C.. &C.. 90.
Our Newbern Correspondsnce.
NxwBERs, N. c., June q, 1852.
Skiymi al Scf Creek Bridge-TAs Eapedionary Vessels
Aground-7Re Rebel Defences-Tner Strength and Con-
ursiction-Captain Jecknick's Reconnaissance, dc.
Preparatory to the forward movement which 10 now
evidently near at hand expeditions in greater or less
force have been securing the country in vicinity
during the last couple Of months. The o.
these under the command and direction OF Col
Howard Of the Marine artillery, which has succeeded in
enectuay rddng the peninsula lying between the Nsuss
and Pamco rivers Of the presence and depredtons Of
the rebel bands.
Tho expedition started from here ON Wednesday evsn
ing last in the steamers Union, Allison and Highland
Light accompanied by the suabest Picket II consisted
Of detachment OF the Marine artillery with eight guns
under Adutant Peters Captains Martin and Ayrss, and
Leutenants Hedden, Bloomer, Moore and Gerard; the
Seventeenth Massachusetts under command Of Leuten
ant Colonel John f. Fellows, and detachment Of Colonel
Mixs Third New York cavalry, under Captain Gerard.
Al the outset the expedition met with series of mis-
fortunes, which brought to mind most forcbly the
vcisstudes which feet underwent Hatteras and
the memorable "Swash." Tho steamers had proceeded
but three or four miles up tho Mouse when they
grounded on bar, which, for Its snags and sawysrs
s equalled only in the Mississippi The Allison, owing
to tho incompstsncy Of the negro pilots board was
almost ashore, and fast among the
stumps The same may be said OF the Highland Light,
and IL is feared that both vessels will have await
food reshet in the river to sxricats themselves from
their present position The Union which s Of very light
drsught fortunate in keeping the channel but
came 10 anchor night, and in the morning sndsa
huf IN afn IN aaaiQf fha Word~
to General Foster ofthe dsasIsr who came
or with the steamers Pilot Boy and Alice Price. The
latter got aground, and her troops trans-
fsrred to the Pilot Boy, which, with the
Union, proceeded on 70 the point Of attack
Swift creek, and there landed portion Of the exps
dictionary forces so complete the surprise that
OF tho enemys pckote were made prisoners, the
escaping 10 tho woods leaving several Of their horses
(thsy cavalry behind them. The Union and Pilot
Boy then returned to the other steamers and abored
Them but with only IN tho Of the
Alice Price. The Union IN her endeavors to haul or the
Allison got aground herself Here the chapter Of acci.
artillery and horses transferred TO the Alice Price,
which en proceeded up the river and anded them At
Here junction Of all the effected, after
breakfast the line Of march taken up. The compa-
nes Of the seventeenth Massachu stts regiment
thrown out alternately skrmshers, accompanied by
platoon Of cavalry. AZ the advance was made with
great caution, It was necessarily slow ono. The main
body put under command OF Colonel Fell
lows, while Colonel Howard, with detachment OF his
marines and several guns, made dstour from the
distance Of few miles from the landing place and
took possession OF lower bridge Colonel Fellows
proceeded in accordance with his orders occupy
Swift crock village the bridge leading TO which
ported to be defended by battery breastwork Of
shingles, armed with six guns Little worthy Of
occurred until our troops came TO the vicinity Of this
bridge The road before crossing into the village, skirts
by the side Of the creek for short distance. Here
pockets encountered those of the rebels, who immsdi
snesd the woods across the stream Becoming satisfied
that the canister and grape had sucsnty prevented
al possibility of an attack, or rather ambuscade, by
the rebels in that direction, the guns were ad.
vanccd the bridge and re opened upon the breast
work Of shingles, giimpses Of which could be caught
through the somewhat dense foliage. Tho rebels
returned shots only, when MAJOR Frankie. OF ts
Seventeenth Massachusetts, organized his advance for
charge round Of snrapnsi MAS fred, and at the
mand charge the cavalry Of Captain Gerard, which
was divided into two patoons, under the commands
spectivsly Of Iieutensnts bern and Lawrence, with
Massachusetts,, who came with fixed bsyonsts dashed
the bridge aud u,o the brsastwork BY
aperture ~ the centre wnh asr usual PUCK the rs,
'chargs" given. and whom The cavalry crossed
almost out of sight up and down tho roads. body or
some thirty cavalry was hoy pursued ~ Iieutsnant
Dsrn they managed 70 escape. lie succeeded how.
ever capturing two rebels foot soldiers, WHO had
taken to the woods Lieutenant Lawrence, with me
o.nsr plason dashed in the other direction but lasd
70 catch ovsrtake any OF the fugitivcs Several
horses which the rebel cavalry had let In their flight
Of shotguns rnos, saddles &c. One Of the animals vas
pretty ntts cOt, marked On the aide with cruss
Sus which your correspondent Is inclined 10 think va:
the owners autograph. The shtnge battery, sxani
nation proved to be most aughAbie affair. 10 mounted
guns a. 80 whsss our SHOT had struck Va
Our forces occupied the village over night. and on the
d sss way q g, che
rard and his cavalry with detachment OF the seven
tssnth Massachusetts regiment sAd howiizsr manned
There is nothing particularly new from Washington
recon uossancs was made few days since BY Captain
Jocknck the result Of which you will nnd set forth in
WASHINGTON, N. c., June 70. 1862
sIR-Having within tine lass few days received
Der of reports from various Ia rsgsrd certain
nytrap sonrivancss made By the rebels the Green
VILE road, for the purpose OF catching my mounted pa
Smit Of four miles, made yesterday reconnaissance
with my company TO Tranters creek distance OF eight
miles, where they were said TO have large force on
each side the stream. advanced cautiously, with
my guard dismounted and acting skirmish.
srs could discover signs of the presence OF
snl my until struck the bridge, whore our late
aagcmsnt took place. Here, within OF rnss,
aud partially concealed behind the trees, could Just
the bend Of the road the other side OF tue
stream two mounted pickets, whom my men L.
cssdngly anxious relieve from all further troubles
this world but, did wish to make noise
the object Of my Reconnaissance was accomplished
lives were spared foundths bridge partially destroy.
ed the mill where they made their last stand entirely
deserted and no traces whatever OF tbs presence Of
from this point, another brdDs which Lieutenant Al
lis crossed the time Of his engagement; but, although
made Chfctu VI fepel
picksts could be seen. About twelve feet Of the
Of this bridge had been sawed on and breastwok OF
legs and lumber constructed on the other side but,
said before indications Of the presence rsbo reops
could be found.
msntion these little particulars merely TO show that
our late battle Trantsrs creek has had sanitary s
feet ON she enemy and that We shall probably not be
molssted here tor some time 10 come. Very respect
fully, your obedisnt servant, -
q. r. J0CKNlCK,
Captain Commanding Co. I, Third New York cavalry.
First Lieutenant X. N. Hill, AdJu'ant Third New
York cavalry, Newborn, NC
EEwnxaS, N. C., July !, ls02.
TRs Troops 70 b More Actively Enp'oyed-Ths soldiers