Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-03-28
THE BATTLE or NEwBERN.
GEN. BUKNSIDE'S OFFICIAL REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT N. q.
NEwBERN, March l6, 1862.
Gen. L. Thomas .Adj't Gent U. s. .frmy.


Gen. L. Thomas .Adj't Gent U. S. .4ymy.
GESERAL have the honor to report that
afieF embarking the troops with which In
tended to attack NeHbern, in conjunction with
The naval force, on the morning Of the lllb,
q rendezvous vas nade a. Hatteras lclet
Flag Officer Goldsborough having been or
deFad to Hampton Roads, the naval feet was
left III command OF Commodore Rowan.
Early GU the Inorning of the 18th the en-
tire force started for NeBboro; aud thai night
anchored off the mouth of Slocum's Creek,
some eighteen miles from NeEbern, where
had decided 10 make landing.
Tie laBdiug commenced by O'Clock, next
morning., under cover Of the naval feet, aud
was effected With tho greatest enthusiasm bY
the troops. Many, 100 impatient for the boats,
leaped into the water and waded waist deep TO
the shore; aud then, after toilsome march
through the mud; the head Of the column
marched within mile aud bali OF the ene-
my's stronghold at 2. NJ, distance Of
twelve miles from the point of landing, where
We biVouAcked for the night, the rear OF the
column coming up with the boat hoBitzers
about three o'clock, next morning, the deten-
ton being caused By the shocking condition Of
the roads, consequent upon the heavy rain that
bad fallen during that day and the whole Of
the uight-the men often wading knea deep IN
mud, and requiring a whole regiaent to drag
he eight pieces which had been landud from
tie navy and our vcssels,
By signals agteed upon, the naval vessels,
with The armed vessels o. my force, we're it,
formed Of our progress, aud were thereby ena-
bied to assist Us much iH our march by shell
ling the road in advance
AT daylight Oh the morning of the 14tb,
oraered an advaLce of the entire division,
which will be understood BY the enclosed PEN
Gil sketch. Gen. Fosters brigade was ordered
up tie main county road to attack the enemY's
lett, Gen. Reno up the railroad to attack
their right, aud Gen. PaIke 10 follow Gen.
Foster, aud attack the erniy in front, With
instructions 10 support either or both brigades
l must defer, Tor want of time, a detailed
account of lhe action. Il Is enough to say
that, after eng genent Of four hours, we
sQoeceded il carrjing contiguous liRe os
deld work OF over a uIle 10 length, protected
on the river h4nk By battery of thirteen
heavy gus, aud on the opposite flank by
line of rcdouots Of over halr nile in length
for rHemen aud field pieces, in the midst of
swamps and dease forests, which line Of work
was defended by eight regiments OF infantry,
fVe hundred cavalry and three batteries Of
field artillery, of six guns eacu.
The position was finally carried by a most
gallant charge Of our men, ahch eusbled Us to
gam the rear OF ali the batteries between this
point and Newberu, which was done Jy a rA-
pid advance of the eutire force up the main
road and railroad, tue naval feet meantime
pushing its way up the river, throwing their
shot into the forts and in front Of us.
The enemy, after retreatsDg in great con-
fusion Throwing away blankets, knapsacks,
arms, &c., acToss the railroad bridge and the
county road bridge, burned the former, and
destroyed the draw of tue latter, thus prevent
ing further pursuit, and causing detention ia
occupying the town BY our military force, but
the naval force had arrived at the WbarVes,
and commanded it by their guns.
| at once advanced Gen. Fosters brigade
to take possession of the town by means Of
the naval vessels which Commodore Rowan
had kindly volunteered for the purpose.
The city was set on fire by the retreatiag
rebels IN IDauy places, but, owing to tho ex-
ertions Of the naval officers, the remaining
citizens we're induced to aid in eztingushing
the fsmes--sO that but little harm has been
doae.
Many of the citizens are now returning,
and We are Doa in quiet possession of the
city, We have captured the printing press,
AMI shall at once issue daily sheet.
By ibis victory our combined force have
captured eight batteries, containing iorty-sx
heavy guns, three batteries of artillery Of SIX
goas eAeA--making in all sixty-four guns;
two steamboats,, and large number of sailing
vessels, wagons, horses, a large quansity OF
ammuuIIiob, commissary and quaItermaster's
stores, forage, and the entire camp equipage
of tas rebel troops; large quantity of rosin,
turpvutine, cotton, &C., and over two hundred
prisoners.
Our loss thus far ascertained will amount
to ninety-one killed and four hundred and
siXty-six wounded, many OF them mortality
Among these are some of our most gallant of
hcrs aud men. The rebel loss Is severe, but
not SO great as our own, being etfectually CO.
7ered by their WORKS.
Too much praise cannot be awarded to the
officers and men for their untiring exertion
and unceasing patience 10 accomplishing this
work. The effecting Of The landing and the
approach to within mile and half OF the
euemys works on the 18th, consider as great
victory as the engagement OF the 18th
Owing to the difficult nature of the landing
our men 2ero forced to wads ashore waist
deep, march through mud to point twelve
miles distsnt, bisoaaOk in low niarshy ground
IN rain Storm, for The night, engage the ene-
my at daylight in ;be morning, lighting them
for four bours amid dense fog that prevented
them from seeing tue position Of the enemy,
aud finally advancing rapidly over bad roads
Upon the city. In the midst of all thir not
complaint was heard; the meo we're only eager
to accomplish their work Every brigade