Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-03-19


Col. Sloan we believe was absent from his regiment,
and being in the rear Of the entrenchments is not
supposed to have been in the hottest Of the fght,
though We have heard illusions made to the GAL
iantry OF his men, and Of some Of the officers.
Coils campbeIrs, Vancss and Avery's regiments
exhibited great gallantry and courage. At an early
stage Col. Vance surrounded by the enemy
AT this juncture told, his voice was heard
above the roar, Stand firm my nen-I am with
you for victory or death" COL Avery discovering
his position, it is said calamity and heroically
rushed to his assistance, when both regiments be-
came hercely engaged with the enemy. The strug-
! gle must have been severe one, but we are as
sured that both Of those regiments and Col. Camp
bells cut through the surrounding hosts, and have
| made good their retreat to Kinston. The loss OF
those two regiments we fear severe yet the state
mens are SO contradictory, we are not able to give
| satisfactory account We are grieved to record
the reported death of Col. Avery, Lieut.. Col. Hoke
and Maj Carmichael 1t is reported also that Capt.
Rand's company from this County, in COL Vance's
| regiment suffered severed there are several re-
ported deaths in that company--but are still in
hope all these statements are but rumors. fit be
true that Col. Avery, 1t. Col. Uoke and Maj. Car
michael are among the slain, the State and country
suffer great loss. They brave spirits and
valuable officers.
We learn that Col. Lees, Col. Sloan's, Col. Sim
clars regiments and the militia made good their re-
treat from the field across the Railroad bridge to
| Newbern The hour of Gen. Branchs arrival with
/ his staff at Newborn we have not learned but we
| unHo hoo tha hnrp poff no f,rp
tine, cotton, the gunboats building, the Railroad
bridge and portion of the town. Campbells,
Vances, and Avery's regiments we learn, were cut
off from, Newborn by the burning of the bridge,
and they we're compelled to retreat up the south
side of Trent We state these things as we have
heard them.
One Of the most unaccountable things in the
whole matter, is the failure on the part of the Com
manding General to notify the defenceless inhabit
ants Of Newb bern to leave on Tuesday evening when
the Yankee vessels first appeared. But luled to
rest as many of them were, no warming was given
until Friday morning when the retreating troops
rushed through the town without stopping to warn
them of approaching danger Hundreds Of de-
fcnceess respectable females were left there,
while others too fearful of the consequences Of re-
manning, started on loot or by any means they
could &c: off, carrying hei: helpless children along
with them.
The Yankees did not attempt to pass fort until
they found our forces had been routed About
midday, or perhaps late as one o'clock, they
came up without hndrance. After all the talk and
CANNON about sawyers and instructions in the river
below Newbern and of FORTS and torpedoes, &C.,
that would blow the YANKEES up, after the rout of
our little army they came right along, just in the
truck uhich had strangely been left open for our
oOn ressels, without encountering single obstruc-
ton. At once they commenced Smelling the town.
What damage was done by that we have not learn
ed. 1t is also charged that they shelled the cars
with women and children in them. We understand
the square on which stood the old Washington Ho
tel, near the Court House, was all consumed ex-
cept the mansion of the late John Stanly, then &C.
cupied by Mr. Harrison. This We learn was done
by citizens the military by order of Gen. Branch
The enemy it is said after taking possession arrest
ed the progress of the fire in the town, and also
prevented the entire destruction of the Railroad
bridge.
COL Sinclair it is said, determined to make a
stand this side Of Newbern but the general current
of the military forces pressed on out of harms way,
and did not stop until they reached Kinston, 80
miles above Newberl., on Neuse river There, it is
said, Gen. Branch has determined to make stand,
but it is hoped superior military eye will be plac-
ed there to convince him of the utterly Utoparschar.
acter of such scheme, unless the river is efectu.
ally blockaded below and the Railroad bridges de-
stroyed. In that case the enemy cannot harm him,
or he the enemy, except at long taw.
The disaster is a most sad one. We have looked
for it with the certainty of an already demonstrated
truth, and shall always expect such results just SO
long as the government places the defence of this
State ia the hands of political gamesters military
superannuate; nincompoops, who cannot or will
not d. their duty. That fine old town Newbern,
! the pride of the State, is gone! Fort Macon,
Beaufort Morehead and Carolina Cities are perfect
ly at the command of the enemy, while the Will
mngton and Weldon Road is within his grasp and
the way to Raleigh open to him. Our losses or that
Of the enemy are not known. 1t is believed that we
have not lost more than 800 men in killed, wounded
and missing Our tents, artillery, equipage, many
, Of our cavalry horses, and commssary stores, we
suppose deserted and are now in possession Of
the enemy. We learn that portions of all the reg
;. ments had reported at Kinston The government
sending reinforcements rapidly to Gen. Branch
TT supposing that lie could at least hold out day
r two; but the job over in two hours, far as
the defence concerned, and the Commanding
General and staff were looking for safer quarters
How much damage we have done the enemy, We
: have had no means Of knowing. The beliefs, thai
S . number were killed and wounded and one pris
D oner taken who claims to be an officer
J. P.S. We learn that Col. Vance, with about five
:, hundred Of his men, is at Kinston. Capt. Oscar
# Rand of this County, it is said, was killed wh
: fighting molly at the head of his company HI
h killed two Of the enemy after he had been sho
k down. Some thirty or forty OIL. his men mis-
Q sine-among them Fabius and Hamilton Whitaker