Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-03-26
The Fight below Newberu.

come to light until the publioation Of the official
documents. We have heretofore put together what
reiiaoe persons and rumor have furnished U.S. with
out endorsing IN full their correctness for It is evil
dent that the arrangement of the forces was such,
and the confusion which ensued after the falling
back of the militia, renders it impossible for any
one man or dozen to state definitely what did take
place.
Many Of the rumored statements already publish
ed found to be entirely incorrect and we there
fore proceed to give such corrections as hare come
to u.s. reliable gentleman in the fight, states that
the entertainments commenced at Fort Thompson,
running west across the Railroad to swamp. We
suppose the line of entertainments was from two
and half to three miles. Our informant says, that
beginning at Fort Thompson, our forces rsere ar
ranged on this line as follows: First Col Lees regi
ment second, Col Sloan's third, Lathata's and
Brem's batteries, then Col. Campbells, then Col.
Sincairs then the militia, then the gap the Rail-
road without artillery or infantry, then came four
companies Of Col Avery's regiment under 1t. Col.
Hoke, and then Col. Yancc's regiment near the
swamp, Capt Rands company being on his left,
and Capt Webster's being on the right This cor
responds very nearly with our former statement.
The rest Of Col. Averys regiment are supposed to
have been in the rear as reserve, or to have ad-
vanced too late to protect the gap at the Railroad
The early and sudden attack of the enemy seems
not to have been looked for -,.4.-rr
1t appears that nearly the whole burden of the
fight on the left wing fell upon COL Campbels reg-
ment, which was calamity and skfuly met by that
experienced and able officer. He nobly sustained
his reputation in the old army and well deserves
the reward of true merit. The sequel shows that if
COL Campbell had been put in command at New
bern as Brigadier General as his rank and reputa-
ton as soldier entitled him, the results of the bat
tic would have been different. Col. c. it appears,
received no order to retreat until all the regiments
on the left and the Commanding General had left
the field. A gentleman informs us who received
the information Direct that while this regiment was
actively engaged in the trenches, Yankee regiment
passed through the gap at the Railroad, and was
entering the trenches at Col. Campbelrs right un
perceived. Their blue coats led to their discovery,
when COL Campbell Immediately ordered his reg
ment to leave the trenches and form Only three
companies could execute the order in time, Capt
Taylor's, Capt. Davidsons, and the other we have
forgotten. Major E. D. Hall of New Hanover, and
not 1t. Col. Haywood, we stated in our last, We
are told, was ordered to lead the charge. At once
he ordered those companies to follow. Our old
friend Capt Taylor of Nash, was in the charge but
was at the time quite unwell and unable to speak
much above whisper but his young Lieutenants
| Haywood and Gloss, the former commanding the
right and the latter the left wing Of the company
CALAMITY and promptly executed his orders with the
| valor OF veterans. These three companies dashed
forward against the entire Yankee regiment, pour
ing into them we'll aimed discharge of muskctry,
which was returned by the enemy promptly, when
the intrepid Hall ordered the charge-on they went,
driving the enemy over the entertainments and pill.
ing up the slain foe. One Yankee Captain fell over
the entertainments wounded, when It. Campbell OF
one of the companies jumped over and seized him
and brought him prisoner.
During the fighting which ensued, it is
said boy about IA years old who was holding sew
eraI horses amid shower of bullets and Shells was
wounded in the leg. He Immediately called aloud
for some one to come and take the horses, exclaim
ing he was wounded. As soon as some one took
the horses, instead Of running off for help it is said
he hoped to the trenches pouring volley of abuse
upon the Yankees and called out for gun one
was handed to him, and he stood with the mer
loading and firing, and fell back with them. 500:
it was perceived that three Yankee regiments were
moving to attack Col. Campbell, having passed the
entertainments at other points. At once, he or
dered his regiment to form a hill near by. By
the time the order executed, he discovered that
regiment was pressing him closely in front. HI
was about to order second charge, when he learn
ed that order had been given to retreat and the
regiments in supporting distance Of him had al
left.
By this time, he discovered two other Yankee
regiments on his right and left. 1t was then h
commenced his retreat preserving perfect order il
his regiment and covering its rear, at the same tim
pouring. deadly fire into the enemy. He was pur
sued some four five miles, before he reached tn
CIaremont bridge, the old toll-bridge over Trent
the Railroad bridge being then on fire. Here hi
discovered numbers of men supposed to belong t.
Col Avery's regiment, who perhaps were dispersed
after the capture Of the Colonel, making for tn
bridge. Col. Campbell here held the enemy at ba,
until every retreating soldier passed the bridge, ant
then if we recollect rightly set fire to the bridge
Soon after he took the Trenton road, and reached
Kinston on Sunday morning. we believe with hi
regiment unbroken, except the dead and wounded
with many of his men bare-footed, blistered ant
nearly exhausted. ...
COL Vance and 1t. Col. Hoke, with four compa
MES of Col Avery's regiment were still in the rea,
Col. Vance must have commenced the retreat at
still later period, and finding that he cnt of b.
the burning of the bridges, rctreated across Brice
Greek, and up the South side Of Trent into Jones
His men suffered severely. This retreat by Co
Vance and It. COL Hoke, evinces fine judgment an
military skill, and merits the applause OF the cour
f try We have not been able to get further pal
: ticnlars. 49, .-..-t .-s..a. .h-.nr
! The hand attached to Col Vance's regiment IL az