The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-03-20
The Burnside Expedition.
BALTIMORE, March 18.

morning direct from the Burnside expe
dition. and reports the capture Of Newbern
n. c., the defeat of the enemy. and the
capture of large quantity of artillery
after harlfought battle. Our loss al
Newbern is about 90 killed and 400 woun-
ded. Our men displayed great courage
y bearer of dispatches from Gen. Burn
side left Immediately for Washington.
New York. March 49,
A Baltimore dispatch 10 the Times
says:
1.-The enemy's works. six miles below
New bern, were attacked on Friday morn
ing last. They were defended by force
10000 strong having 81 g:ns, posted
behind formidable batteries over two miles
long The fight was the most desperate
Of the war. Our troops behaved with
great steadiness and courage, and, after
nearly four hours hard fighting. drove
the rebels from all their positions, cap
turing three light batteries Of field artil-
lery, forty six heavy siege guns, large
stores Of fixed ammunition, three thousand
stand of small arms, and two hundred
prisoners, including one Colonel. Cap
tains and4 Lieutenants.
1.-The enemy left large number of
dead on the field The rebels made their
escape by cars to Goldsboro. burning the
bridges over the Tren, and Claremont. and
firing the city of Newbern. No extensive
damage was done to the place.
Our troops under Gen. Burnside landed
on Thursday evening near the mouth Of
Savon Creek, on the west side of the
Neuse River, fifteen miles below Newborn.
Owing to dense fo9. the naval vessels
did not participate in the fight.
Early on Friday morning. the fight com
menced. Our troops advanced along a
country road running parallel with the
Neuse River, but mile or two in the rear
The road was skirted on the west side by
the railroad aud dense swamp.
Our troops were divided into three
brigades, under Generals Reno, Foster
and Parke.
We advanced gradually, the enemJ de-
serting their guns. until we reached a line
of earthworks extending across the road
from the river TO the swamp on the west.
The distance was some two miles. These
earthworks were very strong, and were
located about two miles south Of New
bern
Between there and the city ran the River
Trent. The country road and railroad
both passed through these works. and
crossed into the city 10y bridges in front.
These works the rebels had filled with
a large number Of trees. forming almost
an impenetrable abatis.
Here The flying rebels were rallied, and
made for awhile desperate stand.
Our brave fellows fought until their
was spent, when the order to
charge bayonets was given. and the works
were finally taken at the point of the bay
onet. the enemy flying like frightened
sheep. leaving everything behind them.
The rebels burnt the bridges communi-
eating with the town. As thew had trains
OF ears in their rear. they were Of course
able TO carry off their dead ard wounded
Their loss, therefore. is not certainly
known. but must have been severe.
Before our troops reached these works,
they encountered another, which WAS de-
serted before theT came up.
1t was in front Of this last ratification
we sustained our creates, loss.
Our entire loss is estimated by Sergeant
Major Johnson at 90 killed and 400 woun-
ded and missing.
The force of the enemy is supposed to
have been about 5000 We captured a
number of prisoners. including Col. Avery
who curses his soldiers as towards.
Just as the battle terminated the fog
lifted, enabling the gunboats, which had
been impalienrly waiting sn opportunity TO
participate in the fight. 10 come up the
river. and our troops were furnished with
means Of transportation across the Trent
River TO Newbern
The rebels attempted TO burn the town,
bu, were prevented by thu citizens. who
extinguished he flames as fast as they
were started by the soldiers.
Nons Of our Generals or staff officers
were killed or wounded.
We captured from 30 to 30 cannon.
The rebel officers left their private traps
behind. On their final retreat, their men
threw away everything.
The fight terminated at p M. on Fri
a., vbop nur troopc ranaiuad rpaetars Fl