The New York herald., 1862-03-19

the srsasess curiosity. searched the tents FOR to.
phes and relics, and inspected the place generally they
again gos into line and dividing into two columns Is be-
fore, proceeded along the railroad and stage road 10
was now about eleven o'clock the battle having lasted
over two hours and half. Tho advasss made at
rapid rate upon the heels OF the fugitive rebes, who.
some two or three miles from the battle held jumped
into train and retreated into the city, setting Gre to
the bridge the Trent river after they had crossed
The greater portion OF them escaped this way but
large number who failed to get upon the tran and con-
sequently could not cross the river by the railroad
bridge followed the bank Of the Trent three quar-
ters OF mile up, and these crossed over
on an old country bridge. In their flight thcy
threw away muskets, blankets, pistols, swords.
and whatever interfsred with rapid ocomotion. Some
Of the weapons shot guns old horse pistols brass
pistols cutlasses, ,sabres and homo made swords il may
30 call them for they appeared to have been manuao
tured out Of old carving Knives meat choppers and the
like roughly adjusted into handles OF common pine WOOD
and In many fastened with twine An occasional
dead or wounded rebel was met with by the roadside
The latter taken and delivered into the charge u
our surgeons, who treated them kindly II they
belonged 70 our own ranks. t g.sf +
DESTRUCTION OF THE RAILR0AD BRIDGE AND Al.
mod -TEMPTED DURNING OF TIE CITY. ac
almost straight line towards Newborn. At its further
extremity black smokewss soon observed - be rising
into the Clouds and with sigh OF regret we became con-
vinced Of the fact that the rebels burning the
houses in tho city and the bridge crossing front river
to prevent our pursuit Of them and entrance into
the city. II Ia asserted BY some that Of
the ignted tar which had been sent adrit the
river TO re our feet had been carried by the wind and
tide up the Trent river and coming under the brge set
D.,tT ~ u;cN.A
Of the city, who witnessed the affair." for stating that the
rebels deliberately towed the under the bridge
moorcd with ropes and then set nre to It's combustibe
contents In either event its destruction TO be regret
ted formed Of tho most picturesque features Of
the really beautiful scenery in tho vicinity Of Newbern
city, and cost, understand, about $50 900 to erect.
Nothing Is left OF II bus still smoking mass sf
charrsd beams. backened crumpled tin distorted rail-
road tracks and tho brick piers.
Little remains to be told of the march 10
this point. The troops reached tho bridge about
half past three O'Clock in the afternoon. their weary
steps having accelerated towards tho latter portion
the by excitement attendant upon witnessing
the heavy, pail like clouds Of smoke which hung
the city in the distance One black column, which a..
cended for many hundred feet into tho air with
and then bright leapng flames at its base frequently
proved bo from hvo and the burning rosn,
pitch and tar in and around them. Through the smoke
was the spires Of the churches. and many an Ina
prscaton muttered against the vandalism OF those
who committed wanton act. AZ frst Il was
though. tha. the entire city in names but the nghs
Of the rebels too preciptate to enable them 70 fully
censummate their purpose, and the only buildings dc.
stroyed large hotel called the Washington House,
extending block in length the second street bseE
from the river; two or three private dwellings, and
number Of whisksy and turpentns dstilleres. Notice
given tho citizens their property
within an hour, at the expiration Of which time
the work Of destroying the entire place was 10 have
commenced. and would probably have been accomplish.
cd had not troops and gunboa made their appear
soon. Az II was the conaagration was stayed
by the exertons OF those citizens who remained bchind
out Of the general flight everybody except the slaves
who, thinking it was kind Of holiday, had commenced
70 ransack and plumber the housesa proceeding which
was soon put an to. Tho Union sentiment Of tho city
was by no means uncomfortable, and OF such pos
cal faith feared not approach They brought out the
FIRE engines and went work with will, and Success
fully, TO prevent the Are spreading 81
There were three little steamboats, at the wharvea'
which the robels also attempted 10 destroy. Two Of
these the North State and Albemare, rescued BY
our Marines who captured them under nrs OF the gun
boats but the third called the Post Boy fred and
burned 70 the waters edge before 1t could be saved
An uncompleted vessel, Of handsome model, IN.
tended for rebel gunbot, was on the ways
in the shp.yard. It escaped unharmod and
have plenty Of shpwrghs and timber here t will,
no doubt become convert from the errors Of Its in.
fancy and in its full development do good service IN
the Union cause.
On two wharves In range OF the railroad bridge were
couple Of batteries mounting two guns constructed Of
cotton bales with earth facing They were intended. no
doubt dispute the passage Of the bridge or the ap
proach OF small boats the Trent river.
OCCUPATION OF THE CITY.
The transports had come up to the vicinity, and
orders were sent for their small boats T. the
abutmsnt Of bridge to take over troops. Tho Firs'
brigade embarked them and transported 70 the
captured steamers North State and Abemare, which In
ferred them across to the city Tho Second ana
Third brigades remained the other side, and there
byouaked for the night. I was in the arst boat load
that and have the qualification Of being able 10
say that the FIRST correspondent In Nswbern Ast
negroea pagng the city, breaking into the closed
up storss end removing TO their quarters whatever vau
ables they got hold Of General Foster Immediately do
tailed the Twenty hfth Massachusetts, regiment as pa
troll ana provost quart guard for the Of pro-
perty Captain Pickett appointed Provost Marshal
pro ~ and established his headquarters in the bank
building, which found deserted Its furniture and
q greater part Of the books and papers taken away.
"ordsr now began to reign in warsaw and the peculs-
ions depredatons ceased while the drunken men OF
our troops who had been furnished with or found liquor
we're given an opportunity to their sobresy BY
q short sojourn in the guard house.
OUR TROOPS ISSUE NEWSPAPER.
Visits were paid to the principal buildings, and guards
stationed over them. The Post 0cswas found deserted
a. also the Office OF the Nswbern Progrcss. the daily
newspaper of the place. form. all locked up, con-
tanned the follow ing paragraph
TEE ENEMY IN SIGHT.
Tho signals Ncuse river below our batteries, gave
news OF the approach the onemy yesterday afternoon
| A boai yas m despatched