Weekly Delaware State journal and statesman. (Wilmington, Del.) 18??-18??, 1862-03-21
OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. BURN.
SIDE,


Headquarters Department Of North Carolina.
NsirbsrH, March 10, 1862.
Zen. Il. THOMAS, Adjuiant General u. s. Army
GENERAL; base the honor to report that
AFTER embarking the troops with which intend
ell 10 Attack NeHhern, In conjunction with the
naval iofce, on the morning Of the llth, rem.
devious was made at Hatteras Inlet.
Flag officer GoldsborOugh having been ordered
TO Hampton Roads, the naval fleet was left in
command Of Commodore Rowan
Early on the morning Of the 18th the entire
force Started for Newbern. and that night anchor
ell oil the mouth of Slocum's Creek, some eiyb-
teen II lies from NewherB, where | had decided
TO make n landing.
The anding commenced by o'clock The next
morning, under cover of the naval fleet, and was
ELECTED with the greatest enthusiasm by The
troops. Many, TOO impatient for the boats
leaped into the water, aud waded whist deem IN
the shore, and then, after toilsome march
through the mud, the head of the column march
ed within a mile and a half of the enemy's
stronghold al 7. NJ 4 distance of twelve miles
from the point of landing, where we biyouaoked
for the night, the rear Of the column coming nm
with the boat howitzers about three o'clock nex,
morning, the detention heng caused by the
shocking condition Of the roads, consequent on
the heavy rain that had fallen during that dav
anu the whole Of the nght-the men orten
wading knee deep in mud, and requiring a whole
regiment to drag the eight pieces which had been
landed from the navy and our own vessels.
ny signals agreed upon, the naval vessels
with the armed vessels of my force were inform
ed OF our progress, and were thereby enabled 10
assist us much in our march by Smelling the road
in advance. N'N
AT daylight on the morning of the 1a,h
ordered an advance Of the entire division. which
Will be understood by the enclosed pencil sketch,
zen. Fosters brigade was ordered IN the main
county road to attack the enemy's left, Den, Reno
up the railroad to attack their right, and Gen.
Parke TO follow Gen. Foster, and attack tha
enemy in front, with instructions to snppnrt
either or both brigadea.
must defer for want Of time, detailed &C
count Of the action. IL is enough to say that.
after an engagement Of four hours, we succeeded
IN carrying continuous line of field works Of
over mile In length, protected on the river
nank by battery of thirteen heavy guns. and
on the opposite flank by line of redoubts of
over mile in length for riiemen aud field pieces.
In the midst OF swamps and dense forests. which
line Of works was defended by eight regiments
Of infantry, I'VE hundred cavalry, and three
batteries of field artillery. of six guns each,
The position was finally carried by a most
gallant charge of our men, which enabled us 10
gam the rear OF all the batteries between this /
point and Newbern, which was done by a ranid |
advance Of the entire force up the main road |
anu railroad, the naval fleet meantime pushin0
It's way up the river, throwing their shots into
the forts and in front of US.
The enemy, after retreating in great confusion
Throwing away blankets, knapsacks, arms, &c,l
across the railroad bridge and county road
bridge, burned the former and DESTROYED tbe
draw Of the latter, thus preventing further pur-
suit, and causing detention in occupying The
town by military force, but the naval force had
arrived at the wharves, and commanded il bv
their guns.
at once advanced Gen. Fosters brigade tn
lake Possession Of the town by means Of The
naval vessels which Commodore Rowan Ind
Eindly volunteered for the purpose.
The city was set on fire by the retreatine rebels
"a many places, but. owing to the exertions of
The naval officers, the remaining citizens were
Induced to aid in exiluguishng the flames 5,
hat but little harm has been done.
Many Of the citizens are now returning .nd 4
We are now IN quiet possession OF the city i've
ave captured the printing press, and shall al
nee issue daily sheet
ny this victory our combined force have ean
ured eight batteries, containing ioriy-six heavy
Iuns three batteries OF light artillery of az
Iun' eAch-mating in oil siIty'ieur guns two