Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-26
Burnside's Official Report of the Capture of
a Newborn, NOrth-CaTolina.

emoark1ng the troops with which intended to at
tack Newbern, in CONJUNCTION with the naval force,
on the morning or the llth, rendezvous made
at Hatteras Inlet
Flag Officer Golds5erough having been ordered to
Hampton Roads, the naval fleet was left in command
OF Commodore Rowan. ..
Early on the morning of the 18th, the entire for;e
started for Newbern, and that night anchored of the
mouth of Slocum's Greek, some g miles from New
bern, where had decided to make landing.
The landing commenced at o'clock the next
morning, under cover of the naval feet and eff
tected with the greatest enthusiasm by the troops.
Many, too impatient for the boats, leaped into the
water and waded waist deep the shore, and then,
alter toilsome march through the mud, the head
oil the column marched within a mile aud half of
the enemys stronghold at p. NJ, distance Of
twelve miles from the point of landing, where we
iivouacked for the night the of the column
coming up with the boat howitzers about o'clock
next morning, the detention being caused by the
shocking condition Of the roads, consequent upon
the heavy rain that had fallen during that day and
the whole OF the night, the often wading knee
deep IN mud, and requiring q whole regiment to
drag the eight pieces which had been landed from
the navy and our own vessels.
BY signals agreed upon, the naval vessels, with
the armed vessels OF my force Informed of our
progress and were thereby enabled assist much
in our march by Smelling the road in advance.
AT daylight on the morning of the l4th | ordered
an advance Of the entire division will be understood
by the Enclosed pencil sketch Gen. Fosters brigade
ordered up the main county road to attack the
enemy's left, Gen. Reno up the railroad to attack
their right, and Gen. Parke to follow Gen. Foster
and attack the enemy in 'front.' with instructions to
support either or both brigades.
l must deter, for want of time, detailed account
OF the action. 1t enough to say that after
gagement of four hours, we succeeded in CARRYING
p continuous line of field work Of a mile in
length, protected on the river flank by battery
OF thirteen heavy guns and on the opposite flank
by line of redoubs of half mile in length
for ritlemen and field pieces, in midst of swamps
and dense forests, which line of sork was defended
by eight regiments ofinfantry five hundred cavalry
and three batteries Of field artillery, Of six guns each
The position was finally carried by most gallant
charge of our men, which enabled us to gam the
rear OF all the batteries between this point and New
bern, which was done by rapid advance of the
entire force up the main road and railroad the naval
feet meantime pushing its way up the river, throw
ing their shot into the forts in front of us.
The enemy, after retreating in great confusion
Throwing away blankets knapsackS, arms, &c)
the railroad bridge and county road bridge
burned the former, and destroyed the draw of the
latter thus preventing further pursuit and causing
detention in occupying che town by our military
force but the naval force had arrived the wharves
and commanded it by their guns.
an once advanced Gen. Fosters brigade to take
possession Of the town by Of the naval vessels
which Commodore Rowan had kindly volunteered
for the purpose
The city was sent freby the retreating Rebels
in many places, but, owing to the exertnns Of the
naval officers, the rcnSng citizens we're induced to
aid in extnguIShing the flames, SO that but little
harm has been done.
Many OF the citizens are now returning, and we
are now in quiet possession OF the city. We have
Captured the printing press and shall at once issue
a daily sheet
BY this victory combined force have captured
eight batteries, containing forty-Six heavy guns;
three batteries of light artillery OF six guns each
making IN all siXty-Uur guns; two steamboats,, and
number of sailing vessels, wagons, horses large
quantity of ammunition, commlsSary and quarter
masters stores forage, and The entire camp e1upage
of the Rebel troops, large quantity of rosln, tur
pentne, cotton etc, and over two hundred pr-
SonerS.
Our loss thus far as aScertaned will amount to
o. killed and 466 wounded many Of them mortally
Among these are some Of our most gallant officers
and men. The Rebel loss is severe bu: not so great
as our own being effectuay covered by their works
Too much praise cannot be awarded to the officers
and men for their untring eXertion and unceasing
patience in accomplishing this work. The eiecting
of the landing and the approach 10 within mile
and half of the enemy's works the 18th, con-
slider great victory the engagement of the
l4th. Owing to the difficult nature Of the landing,
our men were forced to wade ashore waist deep,
march through mud to point twelve miles distant,
byouac in low, marshy ground, in a rain Storm for
the night, engage the enemy at daylight in the morn
ing, lighting them for four hours amid dense fog
that prevented them from seeing the position of the
enemy, and finally advancing rapidly over bad roads
upon the city. In the midst of all this not COM
plant was heard the men were only eager to ac-
compliSh their work. Every brigade, and in fact
every regiment, and | can almost say every officer
and man of the force landed, in the engage
ment.
The men are all in good spirits and under the cir
~, haalth I hoarf to 70
the General Commanding that I have under my
command division that can be relied upon in any
emergency.
more detailed report will be forwarded as soon
as | receive the brigade returns. The Brgadier-
Generals having been in the midst Of their regiments
while under fire, will be able to give me minute
accounts.
| beg to say to the General Commanding the
army that have endeavored to carry out the very
minute instructions given me by him before leaving
Annapolis and thus far events have been singulary
coincident with his anticpatIons. only hope
that we may in future be able to carry out in
detail the remaining plans Of the campaign the
only thing lave to regret is the delay caused by
the elements.
| desire again to bear testimony to the gallantry
Of our naval fleet, and TO express my thanks to Com
mander Rowan and the officers under him for their
hearty and cheerful cooperation in the movement
their assistance was tmel and of great service in
The accomplishment of our undertaking
omitted to mention that there a large
arrival of re-enforecmens Of the enemy in Newbern
during the engagement which retreated with the
remainder of the army by the cars and the country
roads.
have the honor, General,
To be your obed't serv't
A. E. BURNSIDE
Brig. Gen. Commsnd'g Department N. G.
P ST. enclose the names of killed and wounded
as far as received The Sd brigade being so far dis
tant it is impossible to communicate with in time
fnrt his mail