Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-04-01
LETTER FROM NEWBBRN.

battle of the 18th inst, which resulted in the
capture of this city. The rout Of the enemy
was complete, if we can Judge from the &C
counts Of those who were in the city and saw
it. II was perfect run of thousands OF men,
aft lighted out of their senses-it they ever
had such an artice-bewildered and panic
stricken, anxious only to get away from the
Yankees. Our reporters at Nashville declare
that the enemy there, upon the approach of
ou= gunboats, did more than run-they "ske-
daddled," and So with the gray coated, long
haired, and ring-streaked "secesh" of New.
bern: they did "skedaddle'' most beautifully
Yesterday L met young man of comey
parts, dressed in the dandy cut, who had
courage to remain in Newbern, aud asked him
what he was doing while the fight was going
on. WELL said he, 81 just went up into
cupola with my glass, where 1 could see the
fight, and pretty soon saw our militia coming
over the bridge, pell-me ! ran down to the
street, and met our colonel. Said l, Colonel,
whats up, now g The colonel said, Those
Yankees have whipped US all to the devil, and
were trying TO get away. Now, stranger
you may think lis fine, but I never want to
see another retreatng army" "Secesh" was
well prepared to run-fact is, they don't forget
to prepare for a defeat before they meet the
Yankees They had large number of cars,
with four locomotives, in readiness to move,
and when they entered the town they pushed
for the cars with all speed Orders were
given to burn the town, and the incendiary
r,k,
very little property was destroyed
learn they did not intend TO burn the long
railroad bridge. They had large quantity of
tnrpentne, which they poured upon The wa.
tiers of the river, End set fire to it, and foated
of boats loaded with burning turpentine, in
tending that it should, while burning, float
dorn the river and burn our fleet, but the fools
didn't see the tide 1ras the other tray which
fioated the burning turpentne up the river,
and, coming in contact with the bridge, de-
stroy ell it. Our booty here Is of considerable
value. We have taken, say two thousand
| barrels OF rosin, one thousand barrels OF spir-
its turpentine, and large quantity of cotton
have heard it stated as high fifteen thou
| sand bales-ail Of which will be sent north
Our pickets extend Tor ten miles in the
country about Newbern Yesterday our out.
posts were attacked by rebel cavalry, but no
one wounded, and the rebels were driven
off-they ''skedaddled." Picket duty is per,
formed chiefly by the tweniy-ihird Massachu-
setts other regiments except the tweniy-fifth
sharing part OF the work. Our regiment is
quartered in The city and it requires one halt
the regiment each day to guard tie streets
and public buildings. Every man in tie
twenty-hfth is Oh duty each alternate day and
night. As they have very comfortable ac-
commodations In the best houses the city af-
fords, they can stand the guard duty very
WELL
Yesterday the twenty fourth Massachusetts
with some of the gunboas returned from the
trip to Washington. 1t appears the rebel
forces evacuated Washington last Tuesday,
and the Union feeling there is quite strong
When our troops reached Washington they
were met by the mayor, who escorted them
10 the court house, where the excellent band
OF the twentyiOurth discoursed the "Star
Spanged Banner" yankee Doodle" and
"Dixie." The Union flag was then raised
amid loud huzzas, and the mayor treated the
crowd. The Union men asked that troops
. might be left there for their protection, but
:. there were none TO spare. A few gunboats
= were lett, however. The only 'secesh" Off.
Ger in the town the postmaster and after
e cur troops landed lie mounted a horse and
IL "skedaddled!' One of the captains told me
10 ''all he saw of him was his coat tail going
round corner" AS our troops marched
e down the street, fire looking matron came
Is running out OF her house, saying, with strong
= gestures, "What abomnable lies they have
told Why, they satl the Yankees we're af
> ter beauty and booty-6m they haUen't touched me
II yeti" My informant, who was an eyewitness
$ OF the scene, said he was at a loss to know il
tIta aTrfNta uf.faa -.
Yankees had not carried out the programme
, The "secesh' prophets had marked out
: Yesterday the third brigade left here for
# Beaufort, N. G. 1t is thought the rebels have
n evacuated the place if they have not they
! viii "skedaddle" 80 soon as Cen Parke with
u his brigade "heaves" in sight. The brigade
d will land some sixteen miles from Beaufort
n and march that distance to the place.
# TO day has seemed really like a Christian
Sabbath. This morning the church bells rang
10 as usual heretofore on the Sabbath. The
lie twenty fifth regiment held services at tho
is Presbyterian church, where the Rev Horace
i James preached most excellent practical dis
- course. MIR. Gilmore, leader Of the 25th band
l' presided at the organ most acceptably. The
lie large church was crowded to overhowing witt
II. the twenty fifth Massachusetts and others, of
fcers and soldiers in the city. Gen. Reno ant
' staff, aud many officers OF the marine force
were present, also a goodly number Of citizen,
Al with their families Mr.. James selected fol
his text, "He that keepeth his spirit is greater
than he that taketh Il city" lie commented
: on the fact of the general ignorance, not only
!. OF the blacks, but of the white population o
+ this part of the country, and announced tina
l. we had come among them as friends to declar,
to them free education tor all classes Of tin
c population.
We wish our friends at home could bavl
4 looked in upon us as we thus worshipped il
- that strange sanctuary, so far from home, II
= our conquered city. Our chaplain turned ou
D. thoughts to the loved ones in distant New I'm
Is and, and many a manly check was moisteueC
lg ny the falling tears of aftclionate remem
I'd france Would our friends at home think less
II VI US had they seen us then When the bat
~ nc ages and the cannons roar their terrific
e' peal we think not of home-only of duty,
Dst stern ana real but after the contest is ended
no our hves spared, we enter the sanctuary OF
HOut TO return TO HIM the thapkspiving nj
ne grateful hearts. 1t is not cowardly n onr
en- tears OF remembrance gush forth toSards ILa
lv loVeu ones at home, or il our hearts arc ,l,ad
= IN sympathy for the loved ones of snns 49,
"a comrade who has fallen in battle.
le War spreads it's wide desolation,
% we see 1t all about us,-wc see it in the hlncL