Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-03-20
An Engagement in Progress at
~ Island No. Ten.
FROM WASHINGTON.
q, o. escc-5s GO g.
Further About the Capture or New.
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Further About the Capture or New.
New YoRK, March l9,--The following arr
the details Of the battle at Newberne:
Com. Rowan was In command Of the feet oI
gunboats, and had suDken vessels, torpedoes and
other rebel distractions 10 overcome aud pass
but sufmounted all with but ehght damage Ia
only two Of his fifteen vessels. Two bfigs,
three barks and nineteen ecbooners were sunk
by the rebels above two rebel batteries The
latter were silenoed, thesunken vessels passed,
and our flag hoisted over the silenced batteries
ss our force went along. This was on Saturday
afternoon, and night closed 10. Sunday morn
Ing heavy fog set In, but lifted, when our
boats passed up safely, and sllenced Fort
Thompson, With its two heavy columbiads.---
Then Fort Ellis, with nine guns, was captured
after pretty brisk fighting; but the rebels soon
fed In a panic, and our flag waved over another
fort. Only one fort was left to be engaged and
Newberne would be ct the mercy of our tfoops.
This was Fort Lane; but the rebels, having
enough Of the boats, offered little II any resist.
ance, and fed. ,Is5 tstiF- s,sF
The rebels then fred a large number of scows
filled with rosin aud turpentine, intending to
float them down and burn our gunboats, but
they got stuck and burnt away futiously.
The gunboats then shelled the depot and
track, but our troops had then crossed, and q
white Aag was hoisted. Our navy did not lose
q man.
The operations on land we're briefly as fol-
lows: Our troops landed twelve miles below
Newberne, Gen. Reno's brigade in the advanoej
most Of the troops being go anxious 10 land that
nearly every regiment jumped into the water
and Waded ashore, ,-and the whole division was
ashore In less than two hours. After marching
two miles, they found a deserted rebel camp,
with fires burning and hot rebel breakfasts un
tasted, A breastwork Was only passed, and the
division biyousked for the night, and early in
the morning skirmishing began. Fosters brig
ade, comprising the Massachusetts, 24th, 25tb,
26th and 23d, with the 10Th Connecticut In
reserve, were in line, and engaged a twenty
gun battery Of the rebels on their left flank,
who shoWered grape, canister and she'll upon
thenj also heavy musketry from their Infant
~:
The second brigade, comprising the 2lst
Massachusetts, SLIT New York, 5let Pennsyl
vania, and 9Th New Jersey, engaged them on
the right, and Gen. Parks's brigade took POSI-
tion In front -.5 y ba,r5Irrr 4 ~ r9fHU 81 .
Toe Let brigade bore the brunt of the battle,
and the 24th Massachusetts, soon had Major
Stevenson and LIent. Horton wounded, and the
23d Massachusetts lost Lieut.. Col Merritt, BY
cannon ball carrying away one side Of his
body. The 10th Connecticut were ordered to
support the 9th Massachusetts, which had suf-
fered severely. ii ga ,s,.ri.:s' ls 4 - is
The 80 brigade, together with the q, execut.
ed HAnk movement and the order 70 charge
bsyonets was given. A hand TO hand fight en-
sued Of most desperate character, when our
troops drove the rebels out d the point of the
bsyonet, chasing them out Of sight. The rebels
took possefsion Of q railroad train and fed from
NeWberne, burning bridges, the Washington
Heuse, some private dwellings, and number
of whisky and turpentine distilletigs Slaves
had commenced pillaging, but we're stopped,
A number of Unionists were found,ip the city.