The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-03-25

ident and Secretary of War He will
press his affairs for promptly starting to
his department. His staff will therefore
be determined on at an early day. His
headquarters will be in the field. Col
Skanks, of the House of Representatives
will accompany him as soon as his duties
will permit.
Another Battle i'm North Carolina.
Burnside Victorious.
BALTIMORE, March 9.-Sergeant- Ma
jor ID. II. johnson, of the esd Mass
Regiment, came passenger by the
steamer Commodore. From him we
gather the following interesting particu-
lars !:
Our troops under Gen. Burnside land
ed on Thursday evening near the mouth
of Swan Creek, on the west side of the
Neuse river, fifteen miles below New,
berne. Owing to dense fog, the naval
vessels did not participate in the fight.
Early on Friday morning the fight
commenced.
Our troops advanced along the coun-
try road running parallel with the Neuse
river, but a mile or two in the rear.
The road was skirted on the west side by
railroad and dense swamp. All along
the river side were series of batteries,
which were taken by our troops, one af,
ter another, after some bloody hand to-
hand contests.
Our troops were divided into three
brigades, under General Reno, Foster
and Parks. We advanced gradually
they deserving their guns until we reach
ed line of earth works across the road
from the river to the swamp on the west,
distance of some two miles. These
earth works were very strong. They
were located about two miles south oil
New berne, and between there and the
city ran the river Trent. The country
road and the railroad both passed through
these works and crossed into the city by
bridges. In front of the works the reb-
els had felled large number of trees,
forming an almost impenetrable barrier
Here the flying rebels were recalled
and made, for while, most desperate
stand. Our men fought until their am
munition was spent, when an order to
charge was given, and the works were
finally taken at the point of the bayonet,
the enemy flying and leaving everything
behind them in their retreat.
The rebels burnt the bridges commu-
hicating with the town, with both the
country road and the railroad.
| |, ! II &C oorc -, A.
rear, just across the bridge, they Of
course were able to carry off their wound.
ed ana dead Their loss is therefore
not certainly known, but it must have
| been severe.
Before our troops reached this last
work they encountered another, which
was deserted before they came up. 1t
was in front of the last fortifcation that
our greatest loss was sustained.
The force of the rebels is supposed to
have been about 5000.
We captured a number of prisoners,
including Col. Avery, who cursed his
soldiers as towards.
Just as the battle terminated the fog
lifted and enabled our gunboats, which
had been waiting for an opportunity to
participate in the fight, to come up the
river, and our troops were furnished
with means of transportation across the
Trent TO Newberne.
The rebels attempted to fire the town
on their retreat, but were prevented by
the citizens, who extinguishad the flames
as fast as they were started by the sol
diers.
None Of our Generals or Staff officers
were killed or wounded.
We captured from thirty to fifty can,
non.
The officers of the rebels left their
baggage behind, and the men threw
away everything.
The fight terminated at 3.p. m. on
Friday, when our troops remained mas
tiers Of the field.
WASHINGTON, March, 18.-It is con-
sidered that we have probably secured
great military advantages by the capture
of Newberne, and places the safety Of
Gen. Burnside beyond question.
Many exaggerated statements having
been made as to the mortality in the ar.
my, it is ascertained from official sources
that the number OF deaths among the
regulars stationed here for the quarter
ending with March, 1861, was % for
the quarter ending June, 23regulars and
| As volunteers for the quarter ending
with September, 40 regulars and 79 vol
unteers and for the quarter ending with
Dec. 10th, % regulars and 70 volun-
teers. Total deaths, $500, of which
| 100 were from wounds.
The above deaths were in 257 regi-
ments, including those of the army o.
the Potomac.
RoLLA, March ia short time since
anticipating rebel movements in Texas
county, Gen. Halleck ordered five com.
panies of troops and two light steel g.
Founders, mounted on two wheels and
drawn by two horses, under Col. Wood
to repair to that vicinity.
Finding no enemy there, COL Wood
pushed on to Salem, Fulton county, Ark.
where he encountered largely superior
force of rebels, and after a sharp fgh
routed them, killing about one hundred
and taking many prisoners. Among
| the latter are three Colonies,