The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-03-18
The Battle at NeWbern, N. C.
THE TOWN IN POSSESSION or THE
ENEMY.

The Burnside feet seems have disappointed many
on the coast, and instead of attacking Weldon ana
Suffolk, has attacked Newbern and captured the town.
We have no detailed correct information from the
fight We have conversed with three gentle
men who were in Nevbern or near the place when the
battle commenced and their statements doubt
correct far they themselves but they heard so
many reports that it hard TO tell what had nap
pened more than that Newborn has fallen into the
hanoS OF the enemy. Several exaggerated reports
in circulation
The Confederate force at Newborn amounted to
about i've or seven thousand men, under Gen Branch
Inc enemy is supposed to number fifteen or twenty
hve thousand. On Thursday last the 18Th the enemy
ascended the river lesurey in gun-boats, throwing
sno' ana shell on each side, and stopped about IA
nilles heloW ihe town, and landed q large number I'M
der cover of their guns.
On Friday morning. the land fight commenced and
the gnn-boats moved up towards the town. deter
mined stand Was made by some of our batteries and
Regiments but they completely oyerpowered anu
lied IN haste The fight lasted about 81 hours
Our loss is variously estimated at from IS to so in
killed and wounded, and but few if any captured as
prisoners The enemy's loss is thought TO be heavy.
There Is certainty about the loss either side
we are inclined to think it small from what hear
One yankee Lieutenant was captured by some of our
men, reported
We have heard some of our Regiments mentioned as
having behaved galany, whilst others are accused of
acting otherwise. Campbels Vances and Avery's are
sad to have fought well and repused the enemy three
times at the point of the bayonet Capt Brems artillery
company stood their ground the last moment aud lost
most of their guns. -i&
1t is said that officer side was killed. and we
have heard of none named as certainly wounded. The
report that Col. Lee Col. Campbell and 1t Col Hoke
were killed or wounded is positively contradiced by
gentleman who from the of Monday
morning. The most of the horses attached to Brems
battery killed, and few of the wounded Pri-
Vate P Morris is reported as seriously wounded.
Gen Gatn, who ought to have been the ground re-
manned at Godsboro during the action. -s-.
Some report that the town of Newbern was burnt by
people, whilst others say that only the cotton,
rOsin and spirits turpcntine burnt The enemy
sheed the town, but what damage done to the place
cannot tell. The Railroad Bridge across the Trent
RIVER destroyed.
Our troops retreatcd to Knson, about % miles from
Ncwbern, where Gen. Branch rcorganzing his army
aud determined to make stand He has been reinforced
The loss of Newbcrn cuts off communication with Fort
Macon. Whether the Fort has been abandoned or pro-
visiOned for siege, not prepared to say. .-
1t is be presumed that the steamer Nashville which
WAS lying at Morehead City, went TO
The CONSERVATION which prevailed among the citizens
Of Ncwbern is represented very great The
and children fed in every way possible. and suppose
many in destitute condition, and deserve the SYM
pathy and aid Of all who have il in their power give it,