Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-03-27
OFFICIAL, DISPATCH OF GENERAL
BURNSIDE,

GENERAL have the honor to report that
after embarking the troops with which intend.
ed to attack Newbern, in conjunction with the
naval force, on the morning of the lth, rem
dezvous was made at Hattcras Inlet.
Flag Officer Goldsborough having been vr-
dered to Hampton Roads, the naval fleet was
left in command of Commodore Rowan.
Early on the morning of the 18th, the entire
force started lor Newbern, and that night an
chored Of the mouth of Slocum's Creek, some
IS miles from Newbern, where had decided TO
make n landing
The landing commenced at o'clock the next
morning, under cover OF the naval fleet, and was
effected with the greatest enthusiasm by the
troops. Many, too impatient for the boats,
leaped into the water, and waded waist deep To
the shore, and then, after toilsome march
through the mud, the head of the column
marched within mile and half of the enemy's
stronghold at p NJ, distance of twelve
miles from the point of landing, where we
bivouacked for the night, the rear of the col
umn coming up with the boat howizers about
3 o'clock next morning, the detention being
caused by the shocking condition of the roads,
consequent upon the heavy rain that had fallen
during that day and the whole of the night, the
men often wading knee deep in mud, and re-
quirng whole regiment to drag the eight
pieces which had been Ian ed from the navy and
our own vessels.
BY signals agreed upon. the naval vessels,
with the armed vessels of my force, were in
formed Of our progress, and were thereby en-
abled to assist us much in our march by she'll
ing the road in advance.
At daylight on the morning of the lith or
dered an advance Of the entire division, which
will be understood by the inclosed pencil sketch.
Gen. Fosters Brigade was ordered up the main
county road to attack the enemy's left. Cen.
Reno up the railroad to attack their right, and
Gen. Parke to follow Gen. Foster, and attack
the enemy in front, with instructions to support
either on both brigades.
| must defer, for want of time, detailed ac-
count of the action. 1t is enough TO say that,
after an engagement of four hours, we succeed
ed in carrying continuous line of field work
of over mile in length, protected on the river
flank by a battery of thirteen heavy guns. and
on the opposite flank by line of redoubts of
over half mile in length for rihemen and field
pieces, in the midst Of swamps and dense for
ests, which line of work was defended by eight
regiments of infantry, five hundred cavalry, and
three batteries of field artillery, of six guns
each.
The position was finally carriel by most
gallant charge of our men, which enabled us
TO gain the rear of all the batteries between
this point and Newbern, which was done by
rapid advance of the entire force up the main
road and railroad the naval fleet meantime
,te bo tl,fv
hot into the forts and in font OF u.s.
The enemy, after retreating in great confusion
(throwing away blankets, knapsacks, arms
&c, across the railroad bridge and county-road
bridge, burned the former, and destroyed the
draw of the latter, thus preventing further pur-
suit, and causing detention in occupying the
town by our military force, but the naval force
had arrived at the wharves and commanded it
by their guns.
at once advanced Gem Fosters brigade to
take possession of the town by means of the
naval vessels which Commodore Rowan had
kindly volunteered for the purpose.
The city was set on fire by the retreating
Rebels in many places, but, owing to the exer-
tions of the naval officers the remaining citi-
2ens were induced to aid in extingushing the
flames, so that but little harm has been done
Many of the citizens are now returning, and
We hlc llON III Vultl llDNStSNOH VI luc CITY,
We have captured the printing press, and shall
at once issue daily sheet.
By this victory our combined force have cap
tured eight batteries, containing forty-six heavy
guns three light batteries OF artillery of six
guns each-making in all sixty-iour guns two
steamboats, and a number of sailing vessels,
wagons. horses, and large quantity of ammu-
milton, commlssary and quartermaster's stores
forage, and the entire camp equipaSe OF the
Rebel troops, large quantity of rosin, turpen.
tine, cotton, et'., and over two hundred prison.
ers.
Our loss thus far as aScertained will amount
TO 81 killed and 466 wounded, many of them
mortally. Among these are some of the most
gallant officers and men. The Rebel loss is Sc
we're, but not so great as our own, being effect
ualy covered by their works.
Too much praise cannot be awarded to the
officers and men for their untiring exerton and
unceasing patience in accomplishing this work.
The eiiecting of the landing aud the approach
to within n mile and half Of the enemy's
works on the 18th, consider as great victory
as the engagement of the l4th. OWN to the
difficult nature Of the landing, onr men were
forced to wade ashore waiSt-dcep, march through
mud to point twelve miles distant, hivouac in
low, marshy ground, in n rain-storm, for the
night, engage the enemy at daylight in the
morning, fighting them Tor four hours amid n
dense fog that prevented them from seeing the
position o. the enemy, and finally advancing
over bad roads upon The city. In the midst of
all this not a complaint was heard the men
were only eager to accomplish their work.
Every brigade, and in fact every regiment, and
| can almost say every officer and man of the
force landed, was in the engagement.
The men are all in good spirits, and under
Il . a Al I