The national Republican., 1862-03-20
OAcial Dispatch Of Gen. Burnside.

Yours, respectfully, J.F. COOK.
0Mcial Dispatch Of Gen. Burnside.
HEApauARrKRs DEP'r. OF N. CARoLINA,
Newbern, March l6, 1852. =
Gen. L. THOMAS, Adj. Gen. U. y. Army:
GENERAL: 1 have the honor 10 report that
after embarkIng the troops with which In
tended 70 attack Newbern, In conjunction with
the naval force, on the morning OF the llth, q
rendezvous was made at Hatteras Inlet.
Flag Onioer Goldsboreugh having been or.
dered 10 Hampton Roads, the naval feet was
leit 10 command Of Commodore Rowan.
Early on the morning Of the 18th, the entire
force started for Newbern, and that night an
chored of the mouth Of Slocum's creek, some
lS miles from Newbern, where had decided
70 mako landing.
The landing commenced by 7 O'Clock the
next morning, under cover Of the naval feet,
nnd was effected with the greatest enthusiasm
BY the troops. Many, too impatient for the
boats, leaped into the water and waded waist
deep 10 the shore; and then, after toilsome
march through the mud, the head Of the column
my's stronghold, at 8 p. m, q distance Of twelve
miles from the point Of landing, where we bi.
vouacked for the night, the rear OF the column
coming up with the boat howitZers about s
O'Clock next morning, the detention being
caused by the shocking condition Of the roads,
consequent upon the heavy rain that had fallen
during that day and the whole Of the night
the men often wading knee deep in mud, and
requiring whole regiment 10 drag the eight
pieces which had been landed from the navy
and our own vessels.
By signals agreed upon, the uaral vessels,
With the armed vessels Of my force, were in.
formed Of our progress, and were thereby ena-
bled 10 assist us much 10 our march by shellng
the road In advance.
Al daylight on the morning Of the 14th,
ordered an advance Of the entire division, which
will be understood by the enclosed pencil
sketch.
General Fosters brigade was ordered up the
main county road TO attack the enems left,
General Reno up tho railroad to attack their
right, and General Parke " follow General
Foster, and attack The enemy In front, with
instructions 10 support either or both bri.
gsdes.
must defer, for want OF time, detailed &C.
count Of the action. II is enough TO say that,
after an engagement Of four hours, we succeed
ed 10 carr ying u continuous line Of field work
Of over mile In length, protected on the river
Hank by a battery Of thirteen heavy guus, and
on the opposite flank by line Of redoubts OF
over half a mile in length for riHemeu and
field pieces, in the midst Of swamps and dense
forests, which line Of work was defended by
eight regiments Of infantry, five hundred cav
airy, and three batercs Of field al tillery, Of six
guns each.
The position WIS finally carried by n most
gallant charge oil our men, which enabled US
10 gain the rear Of all the batteries between
this point and Newbern, which was done by
rapid advance Of the entire force up The main
road and railroad, the naval fleet meantime
pushing It's way up The river, throwing their
shot into the lorts and In front Of us.
The enemy, after retreating in great coniu.
sion Throwing away blankets, kuspsacks, arms,
&c.) across the railroad bridge and county
road bridge, burned the former, and destroyed
the draw Of the latter, thus preventing further
pursuit, and csueing detention in occupying
the town BY our military force, but the naval
force had arrived at the wharves, and COM
mauded II by their guns.
at once advanced Gen. Fosters brigade 10
take possession Of the town by means Of the
naval vessels which Commodore Rowan had
kindly volunteered for the purpose.
The city was set on fire by the retrcating
rebelsin many places, but, owing 10 the exer.
tious Of The naval officers, the remaining cti-
zens were induced to aid in exiting hing the
flames so that but little harm has been done.
Many OF the Citizsns are now returning, and
we are now In quiet possession of the city.
We have captured the printing press, and shall
al once issue daily sheet
BY this victory our combined force have
captured eight batteries, containing forty six
heavy guns three batteries Of light artillery
of SIX guns each--making 10 all sixty-four
guns two steamboats,, and number oil sail.
Ing vessels, wagons, horses, large quantity Of
ammunition, cOmmissary and qiartermaster's
stores. forage, and the entire camp equipage OF
the rebel troops, . large quantity Of roain, tur-
pentine, cotton, &C., and over Two hundred
prisoners
Our loss thus far ascertain,l will amount TO
9l killed and 46G woundcd, many of them
mortally. Among these ace some oi our most
gallant officers and men. The rebel loss is Sc.
we're, but not 80 great as our own, being effect.
ually covered BY their works.
A more detailed report will be forwarded AZ
soon as | receive the brigade returns. The
brigadier generals, having been in the midst Of
their regiments whilst under fire, will be able
10 give me minute accounts
: Ibeg 10 say 10 INC general commanding the
army that have cndeavored to carry out the
very minute instructions given me by him be-
fore leaving Annapolis, and H. us far events
have been singularly coincident with bis an-
tIcipationa | only hope that VIC may in future
be able TO carry out in detail the remaining
plans Of the campaign; the only thing have
to regret Is the delay caused by the elements
l omitted 10 mention that there was a large
arrival ol reinforcement Of the enemy In New.
bern during the engagement, which rstreated
with the remainder Of the army by the cars and
the country roads.
have the honor, general, 10 10 your obc.
dent servant, A. 4. BURNslDE,
Brig. Gen. Commanding
Department G.
p. 81 enclose The names Of killed and
wounded as far "a received. The Third brigade
being 30 far distant, II Is impossible to commu-
nioate with 1t In time for this mail.
The following clerical promotions have been