Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-04
THE BATTLE OF NEWBERN.

The following extract from private lettel
received by our townsman, II. r WING,
from his brother, who had Il hand m the
capture Of NewJern, in the ranko Of the y.
Y. jlst regiment, viii be found interesting
friday morning. day ever to be remember
we first proceeded to put our rifles in order, and
again took up our line of march, but had not pro-
ceede far when we heard the rapid discharge q
musketry, together with the booming Of cannon
We proceeded at a brisk walk, but were suon met
I by one of Gen. Renos aids, who said that our
troops we're engaging strong rebel battery, and
that the 51ct should hle to tho left in TO tho
woods. After proceeding some ways in the woods
! Co. D was depIoyed skirmishors. We proceed
| ed a short distance and arriving a. the top of q
/ bill. We came in siglt Of their eHtrenchmert,
which was situated on the opposite hill with a
| deep ravine between US, which had been made al
most impassibe by trees being pIacel in every
conceivable way. We had no more than showed
ourselves when we received three volleys. We re-
turned the compliment and retired down the hill
and reloaded, when wo returned aud discharged
our pieces again, and so continued during the
| whole action, the remainder Of the Regiment
coming up shortly after VIC had engaged them
The rebels had much the advantage Of US, as the
moment we adv anced to the top Of the hill they
had full view Of US, and we were unable 10 see
anything but their breastworks. Cur regiment
fought bravel7. as did also most Of the regi-
meuts that were iu the battle. Gen. Reno was
near US mos, of the time, and acted, as he always
does, in the most gallant manner.
Some regiments to right advanced short
distance; the rebels seeing the movement and
thinking they were going TO be out1anked, left
their entrenchments helter skelter. Cheer after
cheer was given By the different regiments as they
rushed through the rsvine, seeing who would get
there frst. The 5lst's colors were tao first on
the ramparts, which coIors had been riidled
through and through. having received upwards OF
50 shot notes.-the staff also having been shot in
two Dead and wounded rebels were lying al
around, most Of them being shot through the
head, the only part Of their bodies that was ex-
posed 10 cur men.
Cur men we're soon busiIg engaged ranslahins
the different tents a1d the clothing which lay
around in utter confusion.
The 5lst soon received orders to iaI iu, and
were soon On the road to Newbern, distant som.
five miles. After proceeding mile or two,dense
smoke could be seen, which we afterwards found
proceeded from several houses, Tort and The r.
R. bridge, which bridge was one of tie finest
ever saw. It had beea prepared with tar and 9TH
er combuztibles, in order to facilitate It's destruc-
tion and in order to prevent cur following them.
Our regiment cncamped a mile from the bridge,
but number Of regiments were taken TO the city
in small boats. Every one is surprised to think
the Rebels should have left their entertainments.
as 5000 we'll drilled troops could hsye held them
against $4,000. J shows, think conclusiyeiy,
that men Sighting in such an unholy cause cannot
contend with those that are aghtins f'r justice
and right.
have only given you par,itullr- .i What ogr
Regiment did. Other regiments had batteries 70
take. The Rebels had batteries all along the riy-
er, and had they stuck g. their guns, could have
riddled cur feet through and through, but they
left lake parcel of sAeop. have given you Tie
particulars IF what -av II yself. After the regi-
ment had eacamped, got small boa. and came
on board the Lancer pretty near tired out, hav-
ing marched Is miles in the rain with the mud
anklo deep, having two heavy blanket. rati1ns,
ammunition and mu.ket to carry; then having
fought hours, and having fred between 30 and
so rounds Of cartridges-enough 1 should ssy 90
make any one tired shouldn't you
GEN. SHIELDS is an IrIshman ny birth.
lie was made a Brigadier General Of Nolun-
teers in the Mexican War, and distinguished
himself at Vera Cruz and Ccrro Gordo,