Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-21
LETTERS FROM NEwBERN.
HEADQUARTERS 18th MASS. REer.,

pond, as we steamed away across Pamlico, TO
the southeast, for Neuse river 1t was a
splendid days trip, and a calm before the
storm. awoke Thursday morning, refreshed
by quiet nights rest; and after hurried,
early breakfast, we watched the signal, and
about O'Clock the first landing was made, at
Slocum's Greek, under cover OF the gunboats.
went ashore i'll the first party, our light
draught boats towing the launches. We land,
ed in the first boats a part Of companies A, c,
X, and d. We began the march, part OF
Gen. Reno's brigade leading, as it was designed
that his brigade (the second) should lead the
column. About mile and half from the
place of landing we came up 10 deserted
cavalry camp, which, we were informed by a
colored woman, was occupied only a half hour
previous, by the rebels
AT this point the rain began to fall and the
path we followed through the woods was
muddy and our progress necessarily slow.
About five miles from our place OF landing We
found formidable battery or entrenchment
crossing the road, with a deep moat on the
side toward US, deserted, and guns taken away.
little above i we halted to rest, aud the
fifty first New York and ninth New Jersey
came up. All followed up the road, pressing
along through the mud and rain, securing our
arms as we'll as we could, knowing as we did
that formidable battery was before us.
About this time Gen. Burnside came along
with the news that "Uur army OF the Potomac
had beaten the rebels at Manassas" and such
cheers went up from our men as never before
sechoed through the woods and swamps of
North Carolina. 1t was almost dark when we
were ordered TO turn aside into the woods and
bivouac Tor the night. Wet TO the skin, tired
BY a march OF ten miles through the mud, with
out murmur or complaint, our men knded
fires, and those not ordered Tor picketduty made
preparations to retire" to rest or sit up by
the fire, and the sound Of the axe of the pu-
neerS was heard at all hours OF the night, as
fresh fuel was wanted TO replenish the fires.
The general desired a reconnaissance 10 be
made down Il cart-wdy which led from our
camp to the river, and with Captain O'Neil,
| adjutant IL rkncus, and ten men, l lett camp,
| passed the outer plCkets and care fully moved
along i'll rain and darkness about a mile and
quarter, v hen came to Il deserted house
on the banks OF the Neuse The air was ira.
grant with the blossoms OF the peach, and
| species OF wild cherry or plumb, and silent as
| the house of death stood this plantation man
| sion, surrounded by smaller buildings trees
and srubbery. We entered, examined the
premises. and found it entirely vacant, every
thing movable gone. We returned to camp,
taking with us enough husks and straw to
keep our backs out Oi the water, and lay down
10 sleep with my feet towards the t.e aud a
single rubber blanket to cover me. | took no
Overeoat Or blanket with HE from the boat as
it was warm, did no. then rain, and | did not
wish 10 Ge encumbcred with much baggage,
as l expected that day hard tight long
neutrality-suspicious. both. | was quite wet aud
cold, but sat up occasionally 70 get warm.
Slept some and reused up with the regiment
at day break-took breakfast, Ia couple Of
hard crackers and coffee The regImental
line was formed. and we moved forward, not
even casting one longing, lingering look be-
hind "
About mile from our bivouac, AS l should
judge, Gen. Foster came down irU..i the front
of our advancing column, and informed us
that the enemy were awaiting US just ahead.
We formed line OF battle on the right OF the
24th Massachusetts (all IN the wOOds) and adj
Vanced through the Ihicket. AT this tiWe tie
loud pcas Of the enemy 5 artillery, and cou-
slant discharge Of musketry away 10 the LETT
told us that the ball had opened. We pressed
forward steadily sending out scouts TO find out
The enemy's position on our front and flank.
They reported a three gun battery on our right
flank, toward and near the river, and saw a
picket watching evidently, our approach, We
continued moving III the lhlcket, when sudden
ly the grape, canister, shot and shell, came
flying about u.s. from the front some, but more
irum the right flank, the shell coming apparent,
ly from behind us, and from our own field
pieces. Thinking that possibly the enemy
might endeavor to outhank our right the four
right companies were thrown back on an angle,
to he prepared Tor any movement OF that kind,
sending mpSsPnUpr In the d ascertain the
cause OF and stop the firing in that direction.
Subsequently orders came for us 10 move to
the lett aud support the twenty seventh regi
ment. The bullets and shells from tile enemy's
breastwork were bowling and whislliug thro
the air as we passed along the lines 10 the
point where our artillery was. Here we were
ordered to support the artillery, but they were
out OF ammunition, some of their men were
killed, and some disabled.
We remained at This point for a half hour,
the enemy's artillery doing fearful execution
around US. Orders came for a Charge, and
with bayonets Fixed, the long line charged on
the cnemv's works, the fourth Rhode Island
being first in, l believe, but the rebels were
fast leaving as they entered, and exchanged
shots, as understand, with the advance. The
last shots of the enemy at this battery were
bred from their left as we approached it,-they
fled i'll all directions mostly TO the light of
brigade had right smart" brush with them.
| We passed to the rear OF an encampmenl be-
| yOnu the enemy's works, and assisted in driv.
| ing them out OF the woods aud bringing in
| prisoners. The first rebel prisoner saw had
a nice Enfield rlfe likely from the cargo OF
the Nashville, which recently run the block
ade The breastwork was about a mile long
running from the river to the railroad. with
twenty one guns mounted. Close behind it
almost any number Of men could with c.m
paratlve safety discharge their muskets or
rifles. The enemy evidently considered their
position impregnable, and their force is vari-
ously estimated at from eight to ten thousand
Our headquarters IN Newbern are in a house
of three stories, very nicely furnished-most
OF the furniture packed away in the upper
rooms. The inhabitants generally left the
city in great haste many before aud most OH
the day OF battle. 1t is supposed there may
be one thousand (of the some eight thousandl
lett, nearly all negroes. They 1.-THE negroes J
seem very glad to see us. Everything was in
| confusion. | entered the building used by the
| rebel troops stationed here, aud found coffin
| containing a corpse, unburied because they
had no time to lose. Fires were raging in
several places in the city, two from large tur-
pentine watts, and as the dense black smoke
rose up and hung like pail over the city aud
the bright red flame flashed out at its base,
could only think of the 'doomed cities OF the
plain" where not ten righteous men could be
found therein.
have no faith in prevalent Union feeling
IN North Carolina. The masses are ignorant,
ana some are doubtless compelled to fight
/ Nl..aa.s H.