Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-21
Details of the CAPTURE of Newhern

The following arc the details Of the New.
bern battle: Commodore Rowan YVES com
mander Of the feet of gunboats, and had
sunken vessels, torpedoes and other rebel OBJ
sttuctions to overcome. but surmounted all
with slight damage to only two of his fifteen
vessels. Three barques, two brigs and
privateer schooner were sunken above the two
rebel batteries. The latter we're silenced.-
The sunkens vessels passed. "Old GLORY"
being hosted over the silenced batteries as
our force went along. This was on Saturday
p. m, and night closed in On Sunday morn
ing heavy fog set in, but lifted and our
boats passed up safely and silenced Fort
Thompson with its two heavy Columbiads.
Old Glory again hoistcd Then Fort Ellis
with guns, was captured, after pretty brisk
lighting, but the rebels fed in panic, and
Old Glory waved over another rebel fort
Only one fort was left to be engaged and
Newbern would be at the mercy of our
troops. This was Fort Lane. but the rebels
had had enough Of the boats, and offered but
little If any resistance, and fed. The rebels
then fired large number of scows filed with
rosin and turpentine. intending to float them
down and burn our Runboats, but they got
stuck and burnt away furiously, consuming
only their combustibes. The gunboats then
shelled the depot and railroad track, but our
troops had then crossed and a white Gag was
hoisted. Our navy did not lose a man.
/ The operations on land we're briefly as fol-
lows Our troops landed twelve miles be-
low Newbern. Gen. Beno's brigade was in
the advance, Most OF the troops being so
anxious to land that nearly every regiment
jumped into the water and waded ashore,
and the whole division was ashore in less than
two hours. After marching two miles they
found deserted camp with fire burning. and
hot rebel breakfasts untasted A breastwork
was also passed, and the division biyouacked
fer the night. Early next morning (l4th)
diminishing commenced. Fosters brigade
were in fine spirits, and engaged the 20 gun
batteries of the rebels on the left flank, who
showered grape, canister and she'll upon
them. with heavy muskctry from their infant
ry. The second brigade engaged them on
the right and Gen. Parks third brigade took
a position in front. The first brigade bore
the brunt of the battle. The third brigade
together with the second, executed a flank
movement, and the order to charge bayonets
was given, A hand-to hand fight ensucd
Of the most desperate character, when
our troops drove the rebels out of the
works at the point Of the bayonet
chasing them out of sight. When the word
"charge' was given, our men gave tremen-
dous cheer, and dashed to the muzzles of the
rebel guns, the traitors ngloriously retreating
in many instances. The rebels took possess
sion of railroad train, aud fled from New
bern, although closely pursued, burning the
bridge, the Washington House, some private
dwellings, and number Of whiskey and tur-
pentine distilleries. Slaves have commenced
pillaging but were stopped A consi cradle
number of Union men were found in the city.
The following is Gen. Burnside's congratu-
latory address to his troops
General Oyaer No. II.