The New York herald., 1862-03-19

n lines Of about dozen In each and then taken
in tow by tho steamers, they themselves being
loaded almost down TO the waters edge.
They moved very slowly account OF the
number Of in each boat being so great.
Az they passed the vessels they were chssrsd mos.
lustily-compliments which they returned with will.
-Four lines started for the shore and few seconds tho
rigging Of every vessel black with human beings,
all eager to watch their cannonads they approached
the land OF masked batteries and treachery The firing
from the gunboats still kept up at short intervals.
but clearly evident that there nothing in the
way to obstruct the safe landing Of the Union soldiers
The little feet Of boats cautiously neared the beach
and finding good place to effect landing thoy
drawn the sandy beach in regmenal line, much TO
the OF those the vessels the river Tho
business of debsrkation kept busily going forward
all the forenoon and tho put better spirits
by the report that reached that Gen Mcclellan had
made advance towards Manassas and that the rebels
rersating before him The universal sentiment
that the iron hot ard the time 70 strike
with force and all together. This DONE and the Union
troops would soon see the end their present
enlistment; by that time rebellion would be
crushed and the present war be placed among the
things Of the past About half mile down the beach
two three gunboats constantly engaged IN throw
ing shell into the woods supposed At some rebel
cavalry that known TO be u the neighbcrhcod re-
oonnoitsripg The transports began TO little closer
in with their living freight, and in very short time all
OF the troops landed and their way to the bat
tories that lay above with the exception OF bat
tory. I landed with the soldiers, but not with the
intention Of following their fortunes, preferring TO
stay with the navy, and note their doings. Three
few Of effected landing the sandy shore, and
started independent reconnaissance OF our own.
After following the beach about half mile spied
N
it, determined to have talk with the inhabitants and,
possible, procure little fresh provisions Eggs, fowl
and milk were uxuries that had not seen for many
day. and appettes whetted by the appearance
Of several sroasters" vulgarly known as pigs.
We approached the house In . very cool man.
ner, and made our wants known but whether from
q dsinclBation 10 satisfy Us, their not having the
articles desired failed in mission as far as the
eatabes concerned but not so with the interview
Tho family consisting of husband wife and six little
children appeared anything but pleased to see US, and
kept their eyes the whole time remained, as IL
fearful that to rob them Of the little they pos
sesssd; and the house dog. as If in sympathy
with his master, kopt q most jealous and dangerous
eye upon motions. From these people VIC
learned that tho feet unexpected visiter'
the inhabitants being taught to look for its arrival at
any moment for two months past but they did not
expect attack this point, thinking the vessels
would 60 much further up before stopping with any
hostile intent. The master Of tho house disclaimcd
anything like secession sentiments, and the mistress.
whose life nearly frightened out Of her by the pas
sage and explosion OF the shells her house.
very anxious 10 know why they should be troubled,
who had done nothing and seemed to great deal
for the OF her pigs and chickens than
for the safety Of the Union, and am sure would
not whether they under the guardianship Of
Je Davis tho protection Of the United States govern
ment if the soldiers could only be kept away from
noyng them. The was ignorant o; everything per-
tanning fortiHcations and declared had been up
tho river for long time. He very guarded andths
only positive Information could get that comra
ny Of North Carolina cavalry bad been the point,
where troops landed the day before but he could
rot tell when they left whore they went.
We returned 10 boat, q heavy rain fall
ing at the time, and We got thoroughly drenchsd
The battery the Jersey Blue had been ordered to land
and proceed with the troops, and had just prepared
myself for . long march, when the order was counter
manded, not however, until number Of men, equip
ments, &C. had been transferred TO the Alice Price, all
ready for landing. They wore all put on board again,
and in few minutes VS. were again under way and
heading for the first battery At the time OF the order
TO disembsrk received, O most tragic affair
came to light, follows Ono OF the privatss in
was found lying near one Of the carrisgewhes.s
with his throat from to aud perfectly dead
Thero question the method Of his deaththo
unfortunate man having ended his existence. He
middle aged, and had bsen in the company only
about six months For some days past be had been OBJ
served TO be very low spirited and kept aoof from the
rest OF bis comrades. On the morning OF the disem
barkaton the rest Of the preparing for the
march but he paid attention to anything, but went
and lay down by himself From that time until his
body found he not seen, and Is
supposed that the man in 6t Of melancholy
madness Pot end himself. his being found in
mis- hands and q most frghtful wound Inflicted on his
peck He could have lived but few moments after
committing the act as no made not the least noise
every one supposing him to be sleeping. His body
sswod up carefully in q canvas bag, and his mortal
remains committed TO the water. Captain Morris
offered up q short but touching prayer to Almighty
God for the safety Of his soul, and he sank to
rise until the end OF all things This
SAD event cast o gloom over the men for the
rest OF the day but important and imperative duty
had 10 be performed and but little said the sub.
jsct Had the rash waited but for day, he might
bavo died noby on the field without thus endangerng
bis eternal happiness We continued up the river about
three miles Newbern, and anchored there for the
night. Friday morning there donso fog covering
the face OF the water, and was impossible TO land
About ten o'clock the fog lifted and preparations
instantly made to send the battery on shore at this
time the George Peabody with the Forty-eighh Penn
sylvana Volunteers, came up, and landed the men on
the beach There but six companies tho being
left at Hattcras. They instantly marched or 10
the Of conflict with large supply Of ammunition
for the troops but after most tedious march, they
arrived at the long battery only to nd that IL in
possession and Newbsrn had fallen. The Rhode Island
battery and Morris battery, which would have mate
rally assisted in the ngh unfortunately were not landed
in time to take parr in H.
IHE OPERATIONS ON LAND,