Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-03-26
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Capture of Newhern, N, G..
Official Despatch of General Rurns;da

/ GENERAt; | have the honor to report
that, after embarking the troops with which
L intended to attack Newbern, in coniunc-
ton with the naval force, on the mornino
OF the llth, rendezvous was made at
! Hatteras Inlet
Flag officer Goldsborough having been
ordered to Hampton Rods, the n val fleet
was under command of Com. Rowan.
Early on the morning of the 18th the
entire force started for Newbern, and that
night anchored off the mouth of Slocum's
Greek, some eighteen miles from Newbern,
where L decided to make landing.
The landing commenced by I o clock the
/ next morning, under cover of the naval
hee:, and was effected with the greatest
enthusiasm by the troops Many, too i'm,
patient for the boats, leaped into the water
and wadcd waist deep to the shore, and
| then, after a toilsome march through the
mud, the head of the column marched
within mile and a half Of the enemy's
stronghold at p. M, a distance of twelve
miles from the point of landing, where we
bivouaced for the night, the rear of the
column coming up with the boat howitzers
about ) o'clock next morning, the deten-
tion being caused by the shocking condi-
tlon OF the roads, subsequent upon the
heavy rain that had fallen during the day
and the whole of the night-the men Of
ten waded knee deep in mud, and required
the whole regiment to draw the eight guns
which had been landed from the navy and
our vessels.
BY signals agreed upon, the naval YES
sells, with the armed vessels of my force,
were informed of our progress, and were
| thereby enabled to assist us much in our
march by shelling the road in advance.
At daylight on the morning of the 14th,
| ordered an advance of the entire diyis
ion, which will be understood by the en-
closed pencil sketch. Gen. Fosters brig
ade was ordered up the main county road
! to attack the eneiny's left, Gen. Reno up
the railroad to attack their right, and Gen.
Parkc to follow Gen. Foster and attack the
enemy in front, with instructions to sup
| port either or both brigades.
must defer for want of time, detail
ed account Of the action. 1t is enough to
say that, after an engagement of four hours
we succeeded in carrying continuous line
OF held work OF over a mile in length, pro-
| tectcd on the riEeT fank BY battery Of
! thirteen heavy guns, and on the opposite
flank by line of redoubts of over mile
in length Tor rifemcn apd field pieces, in
the midst Of swamps and dense forests,
which line of work was defended by eight
regiments OF infantry, five hundred cav
airy and thlea batteries Of field artillery,
of six guns each.
The position was finally carried by most
gallant charge of onr men, which enabled
US to gain the rear of all the batteries be-
tween this point and Newbern, which was
done by rapid advance of the entire force
up the main road and railroad, the naval
fleet meantime pushing its way up the riv-
er, throwing their shot into the forts and
in front of US.
The enemy, after retreating in great con-
fusion, (throwing away blankets, knapsack.,
arms, &e.,) across the railroad bridge and
county road bridge, burned the former,
and destroyed the draw of the latter, thus
preventing further pursuit, and causing de-
tentlon IN occupying the town by our mill
tary force, but the naval force had arrived
at the wharves, and commanded it by their
guns.
L at once advanced Gen Fosters brigade
TO take possession of the town by means of
the naval vessels which Com. Rowan had
kindly volunteered for the purpose.
the city was set on fire by the retreat
ing rebels in many places, but, owing to
the exertlons of the naval officers, the re-
naming citizens were induced to aid in
extlngulshing the fames-so that but lit
tie harm has been done.
Many OF the citizens are now returning,
and are now in quiet possession of the city
we have captured the printing press, and
shall at once issue daily sheet
By this victory our combined force have
captured eight batteries, containing forty
SIX heavy guns; three batteries of light ar
tillery OF SIX guns each-making in all
sixty tour guns; two steamboats, and
number OF sailing vessels, wagons, horses,
large quantity of ammunition, commissary
ana quartermaster's stores, forage and the
entire camp equipage of the rebel troops,
large quantity of rosin, turpentins and cot
ton, &c., and over two hundred prisoners.
Our loss thus far ascertained will amount
to nlnety-one killed, and four hundred and
slxty-slx wounded, many of them mortally.
among these are some of our most gallant
officers and men. The rebel loss is severe,
but not so great as our own, being effec-
tually covered by their works.
loo much praise cannot be awarded to
the officers and men for their untiring ex-
ertlon and unceasing patience in accom-
pllshlng this work The effecting of the
landing and the approach within mile
and half of the enemy's works on the