The New York herald., 1862-03-19

stands Of arms, with accompanying ammunition, nxtyIo'
cannon and six forts The railroad depot has ocsn occ
pied and number OF taken possession OF, whic
will Of the greatest value shoulda further demoI
stration be made from this point IEN 90 A
REBEL OFFICIAL REPORT OF rHE DEFEsoEs OF NEW
BERN.
Among the documents found was the following, whic
bore no signature and apparently the rough draft
. report subsequently, sent .Ua
ri - - NEwBERS, N. c., March II, 1852.
10 Brigadicr General OBJ. BRANCH commanding
sIRSIn obedisnce to Special Order No 4o from do
partment headquarters, We have the honor TO submit
the following report with reference TO the dsfences Of
Newbern and its vicinity, by water and land (after
ing works.. In the opinion Of the board con-
sidering the limited force and means Of defence
the lines Of defence should bs as concentrated as pos
eible aud would therefore recommend that all works bo
low The lines of ntrsnchments, whose left flank rests
Fort Thompson, should be suspended, a. liable to
2 That the four twenty four Founders at Fort Dixie
being the lines where the resistance is to be made
should be withdrawn 10 the lines Of inrenchments where
intersected by the Beaufort road.
g. That the lines should be immediately extended to
Brco's crseka distance Of about mile-so
its right flank and the whole line to be further
strengthened and aanked by the following batteries:-
nsld battery al the brick yard, one nsd battery al
Weetherby's road, two field batteries Of two guns
0hcn TO DO located between tho orlck yard and
Westherbys road, a. points most suitable for anhing
that portion Of the line to the right and left field
battery Of two guns between Fort Thompson and Beau
fort road; field battery OF guns Beau
fort road and brckyard all or these batteries 10 be
placed In advanced works suitable for efficient fanking
4. rear or this line it is necessary TO have military
route practicable for field artillery and for the prompt
movement Of the trrops from one point 70 another.
Fort Thompson constitutes the left flank Of this line
and consequently Of tho greatest importance being a
the same time exposed TO an attack by water and
the beach, deem should be further secured BY tho
following means;- 1
One two gun battery Immediately front 10 sweep the
beach.
- One two gun battery in rear 10 flank t.
One two gun battery to right to sweep the ravne n
The beach being at the same time obstructed by an
Efficient abatts.
provide further for the security Of this most imuor
tant point s deemed advisable, after the completion
or the works to erect redoubt strong profile
which shall command the gorge Of the fort and prevent
10 secure the retreat cf the forces beyond the ep.
river case Of disaster absolutely necessary have
tetes de points bridge heads at tho railroad Clare
mont bridges at both Of these places, especially the
latter The ground is very admirably adapted for tho
70 srect snv works Of his rnd Ts e s wo5k
Also be examined with reference rendering it necessa-
~ and safe for the passage Of troops The larger and i'm
portant work Of the two should be constructed at the
tatter BRIDGE as IL cannot be easily reached by tho
enemys gunboats in Of their passing the batteries
70 cut on the retreat The advance OF the on the
railroad bridges can be further checked by ihrowna uD
Two epaulments for field pieces in the Sc0ts
creek bridge to command the approach along the rail-
road. With these additions to tho land defcnccs which
can be completed within short period IL is thought we
will be able 10 make vigorous successful defence
~ our position beyond the Trent river.
l. As regards the water defence It Is recommended 10
complete the caseated batteries In Of construc
ton and 70 mount IN similar any subsequent ar
mament that may be procured. Considering the very
eligible Of Fort Ellis, s armament should be kept com
plete.
.. With the present force It s deemed impossible 10
eject any serious resistance 70 the enemy the north
east bank Of the river The battery at Glade swamp
should therefore be withdrawn be very readily
turned As che river just above Barrngtons ferry pre-
ssnts very favorable point for the passage Of the enc
pcntoon bridge 70 the Taylor place the two siege
at Fart Macon with thsir twenty -four guns 70.
0eehe. with The Geld artillery, woud be necessary op
poee TIN movement eGectivsIy. 1ftg' .
1hees eonstitgte the only alterations and additions 70
We n any rsasonable time [thmk]
- nest " (hoped sueose6slly), the enemy. In ths
report W kaye supposed he enemy 10 have advanced
the way Of the Neuse river a. the most probable and
have made our recommendations for resistance &C.
coTdinglo. Should h9 advance from the direction Of
Washington or Swansb0fo-which s possible-of eSxsee
the above works viii not be abe offer any rssistan
but 70 provide against these contingencies works on 90
much larger and extended scale that 1t Ia Impossible
70 erect them IN any reasonable tme and
still more difficult TO defend thsm against any serious
pesistSnco.
We transmit herewith q drawing, showing the de-
fences above mentioned prepared by Major Thompson
the engineer in charge Very respectfully your obedieni
oorvontp -(no namo.)