Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-03-27
NEWBRRN N. q.

NeWoefh Is according TO the last census q
town of 5,434 inhabitants, and is the second
largest town in North Carolina, being excelled
in population only by Wilmington. 1t is one
of the oldest towns in the State, and was for
merly, and for long period, its capital. It
has been, until the rebellion point af consid-
cradle trade, exporting grain, lumber, turpen-
tine, tar and naval stores Besides the county
buildings, it contlins several churches. two
banks, small theatre, and three newspaner
offices, and is pleasantly situated, and hand
Somely-buit and oll-fashioned place. 1t is
located near the inland waterway of the State,
ut he confluence of the Trent and Neuse rivers.
on the western bank of the latter stream, some
forty miles from the southern extremity of
Pamlico Sound. Our maps will show the to-
biography of the place, the point of landing of
our troops their line of march along the river.
between the river and railroad, and other i'm
portant points mentioned in this mornings
kilograms. The Neuse is here about n mile
and haif, and the Trent about half mile wide.
The former stream is navgable BY steamboats,
for about eight months in the wear. The en-
trance from the sea is throug Ocracoke Inlet.
steamboats, used to ply from Newbern, along
the inland waters as far as Elizabeth CITY, (also
recently captured by Gen. Burnside,) and other
points north of Roanoke Island. From Eliza
beth City, again there was canna communica-
ton with Norfolk, and until Burnside took
Roanoke, this long line OF navigation was in
possession of the enemy. Th, rebels have been
engaged In strengthening the defences of New
bern ever since it was bruited in the early part
Of the Winter that Burnsde's expedition was
to operate upon the coast of North Carolina
A recent number of the Richmond Examiner
ominously remarked Newbern is not without
protection, but it is unnecessary to say what"
Probably the editor referred to the line of shore
batteries (mentioned in the dispatches) to pre-
vent a land attack, and the fire ships to DESTROY
an assoiling fleet; but the event has proved
that even these did not avail to keep buck our
brave legions. There is but one railroad run
ming through Newbern-that from Beaufort.
IN. CD on the northeastern Shore to Colds
borough. in Wayne County, where it connects
with the Weldon and Wilmington Road, and
the whole system of shore railroads running
South.
The next thing is to determine what the ad-
vantages of the position are. In the direction
Of the sea, soulheasward, Fort Macon and
Beaufort are about thirty miles distant, with
railroad Joining at those points, but no direct
water communication. 1t is clear that force
so strong as that of Gen. Burnside, can, if such
be the work first appointed him, soon reduce
both town and fort, now that Newhern and the
railroad are secured. No army can come from
the South overland TO the relief of this north
ern Beaufort, and the rebels have no navv At
Goldsborough in the interior, distance of 80
miles toward Raleigh, the great Southern rail-
road line is cut, there being no other railroad
running southwark through North Carolina,
except a very crooked one running west from
Raleigh, and used very little, as far as can be
ascertained. The Wilmington and Weldon is
well known as the great Southern road, and
this passes through Goldsborough. Whether
it be the purpose of General Burnside to push
forward to Goldsborough, and seize this line,
thereby prevent the retreat of the Manassas
rebels in this direction, we shall, doubtless, now
soon know 1t would certainly be daring
thing to do at the present moment. As we do
not toreshadow coming events, but chronicle
past fact' the public will have to wait some
time for information on this head. Sufficient
to say, at present, that by the capture of New
bern, we have obtained possession of point
from which operations can be conducted upon
the main rebel rear. or from which we can go
down to the coast at Beaufort and Fort Macon,
and restore the flag to its old position over that
fortifcaton.