Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-03-20


Particulars Of the Fight at NewDern'
NEW YovK, March 10.
The following are the details OF the
battle at NewberI: Com. Roam was In
command Of the fleet Of gun-boats, and
had sunken vessels, toIpedoes and other
rebel Instructions to overcome and pass,
but surmounted all, with but slight dams
age to two OF his fifteen vessels. Two
ouoys, three bargcs and nineteen schoon-
ers were sunk above by the two rebel
batteries. The latter we're si!enced, the
sunken vessels passed, and our nag
hoisted over the silenced batteries
as our forces went along. This was on
Saturday afternoon and night. Sunday
morning 4 heavy fog set IN but lifted,
when our boats passed up safely, ST.
fenced Fort Thompson with its two
heavy columbiads, then Fort Ellsworth
with nine guns was captured after pref.
ty brisk fighting, but the rebels soon
fled iu panic, and our flag waved OYER
another fort. Only one tort was left to
be engaged and Newbern would be at
the mercy Of our troops, this was Fort
Lane, but the rebels having enough OF
tie boats, offered little,if any resistance
and he!. The rebels then fired large
number of scows filled with rosin aud
Notwithstanding to float them down
and burn our gun boats, but they got
stuck and burned away turiocsly. The
guu boats then shelled the depot ana
track, but our troops had then crossed
and white flag was hoisted.
Our navy did not lose man.
Operations on the land were briefly
As fellows: Our troops IL uilcs below
Newborn, Gen. Renos' brigade 10 the
advance, most If the troops being SO
anxious to land that nearly every regi-
ment jumped into the water and waded
ashore. aud the whole division was
ashore in less than two hours.
After marching two miles they found
deserted rebel camp, with fires burn
ing, and hot rebel breakfasts untasted.
A breastwork was only passed and the
division bivouacked for the night, and
early in the morning skirmishing be-
gan.
Fosters Brigade, comprising the
Massachusetts Path, 25tb, Goth, and
23d, with the 10th Connecticut in re-
serve, we're in line, and opposed TO a 20
gun battery of the rebels on their left
flank, who showered grape, canister
and shell upon them. Also heavy mus
ketrv from their infantry.
Tie I'd brigade, comprising the 2.st
Massac husetts, 5lst New York, 5lst
Pennsylvania and the 9th New Jersey,
engaged them on the right, and Gen.
Parks Sd brigade took position in front.
The LIST brigade bore the front Of the
battle, and the oath Massachusetts, soon
had Maj. Stevenson and Lieut.. Horton
wounded, and the 23d Massachusetts
lost Lieut.. Col. Merritt by cannon ball
carrying away one side Of his body.
The 10th Connecticut were ordered to
support the 9th Massachusetts, which
had suffered severely. The Sd brigade,
with the Cd executed flank movement,
and the order to charge 5ayonets was
given. A hand-to-hand fight ensued Of
most desperate character, when our
troops drove the rebels out at the point
OF the bayonet, cheering them out Of
sight. The rebels took possession of a
railroad train and fled from New bern,
burning bridges, the Washington House,
some private dwellings, and a number
of whisky and turpentine distiIleries.
The slaves had commenced pilaging,
but were stopped. A number Of Union.
lists were found in the city.