Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-28

/ INCIDENTS OF The BATTLE OF NEwBERN.-
The following are related by different news-
paper correspondents
The guns of our force, although very
light, could with difficulty be dragged thro
the heavy clay. Whole companies of sol
ders were detailed, in addition to the gun s
companies, to haul them along. Officers and
men struggled with all their strength. In
several instances it became necessary to open
a passage through the trees, in order to avoid
a heavy piece of road.
vt the railroad were found two heavy
seige guns, with their carriages aud ammu-
milton on platform car, which 1t was the
intention to mount so as to sweep the rail
road for miles. Another day would have
given them time to mount these guns, and 1t
would be three-days' fight 10 carry the
work
The navy boats moved slowly up the river
after the column of infantry had entered the
forest, aud directed by tho occasional dis
charge OF rockets, continual shower OF
shells was tossed over into the enemy's viciL-
ity. Ii is supposed that the long range OF
these rifed guns, which reached the enemy's
batteries before his smooth bores could have
effect, was one principal reason why they
were all evacuated at an early hour. Later
in the afternoon it became thick and foggy,
and scarcely anything was visible on the
shore from the gunboats. The position OF
our forces on land not being known, the
firing ceased for the night. The water bat
teries proved OF DO account whatever, most OF
them being deserted and the guns spiked be-
fore our boats came within range of them
Each of these batteries was visited in success
sion as it was found deserted, and the guns
spiked where they were not found SO, TO
guard against their being again used against
US in case OF a repulse.
The fleet in coming up the city passed al
most uninjured through the obstructed chan
mel of the Neuse. The schOOners which were
sunk in the main channel compelled our yes-
sells to take the inner channel IN which che
Ueur de-frIse pointing dOnn the stream had
been sunk. They consisted of beams pointed
and sheathed with iron, projecting from a
framed timber box filed with sand, in order
to anchor them, leaving the barbed end Just
under the surface Of the water. One OF
these pierced the side of the Alice Price just
above the water line, penetrating her timbers
and making an aperture that would haYe
sunk her in few minutes If 1t had been un-
der the water line.
The city was entirely envelOpet in the
smoke of the burning bridges and buildings.
Negroes, male and female, trOoped through
the streets talking loudly, entering deserted
houses and coming out with every description
of plunder. White faces appeared furtively
at the half-closed doors aud windows. and
sublimely disappeared The gloom Of ruin
and despair hung on every thing, and 1t was
left for Us 70 bring order out Of this chaos.
A few Of the inhabitants had hauled out
their FIRE engine and endeavoTed to arrest the
progress Of the flames. Their efforts were
Intellectual as each block that was fred was
totally consumed. Fortunately the air was
still and the flames were confined to the
blocks in which they originated. Otherwise
the city would have been utterly destroyed.
In the city a number Of boiler iron cylin-
ders, about two feet lOng and ten inches IN
diameter, were found, stored with arms and
equipments Of various kinds. These were
supposed to be the torpedoes with which tie
rebels meant to destroy our fleet. None had
been laid in the river.
Undoubtedly means viii shortly be taEcn
TO raise the sunken schooners and barks IN
the river They lay with not more than
half Of their hulls below the water, and IN
doubtedly all that are sound will be saved
and brought into service by zen. Burnside.
The distractions are beng taken out OF the
river, aud soon it will be as freely navigated
as ever.
Four Massachusetts, and one Connecticut
regiment occupy the city, while the other
two brigades guard the approaches from diff
ierent directions, and also the property cap
tured and the railroad toward Beaufort
Gen. Foster was appointed Military Gov
ernor of Newborn and vicinity, and Gen.
Burnside ordered the churches T. be opened
on the Sabbath and divine service held by
the Chaplains of our regiments, those &C
customed to hold forth there having forsaken
their duty.
A member Of the Massachusetts, 18th regi-
ment, printer, entered the deserted office OF
the Daily Progress on the 18th, when our
troops had taken possession Of the place,and
finding material therein to constitute a
form, :" be threw it together somewhat
hastily. added paragraph announcing the
occupation of the city by the Yankees and
published a large gratuItous edition "A
corps Of printers having been detailed to as
sist hlm. The Progress Is to be published
by the soldiers, and is to be named the
- DqilV Progress South