Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-03-28
Taking Of NeWbern.

The New \ ork Tribune has particulars of
this affair
The fleet sailed up the Neuse by brigades,
and on the night of the 18th anchored off Slo-
GUMS Creek. Signals by the rebels were
made by fires kindIed on the banks. The gun
boats were drawn up in line. At various points
up the river the country people were seen sit
ting on fences and tree-logs, but no hostile dem
onstrations were made. On Thursday morning.
18th, at s o'clock, troops landed from the
transport fleet to shore, the boats sailing in a
long, graceful sweep, with flags flying, bands
playing, and 5000 bayonets flashing in the
sunshine, which now streamed over the feet
The picture was really beautiful artistically
speaking, while the solemn nature of the busi-
! ness before US lent to the pagant an air OF
grandeur peculiar to itself.
The water shoaled SO that the men had to
wade TO shore from the Iaspches. The march
| from the river through woods and sand ankle
| deep to the road was mile. A little way up
this road was found cavalry barraks, so has
tily deserted as to leave the breakfast untouch-
ed. The troops marched five miles through
mud and water, when they came upon Il line of
breastworks Of mile in length, which, on re-
! cOnnOisance, was found deserted. These forti-
ications were the work Of thousand men
for month. No guns however had been
mounted.
| a mile farther, on making a reconnaissance
/ by road leading to the river, a deserted bat
terry on the bank was discovered. On signal to
| the gunboats that were steaming up the river.
boat landed and planted oar flag on the para
pet. 1t raincd all day. At six o'clock in the
evening the army was within mile of the Gu
emy's forti6cations and halt ordered, and en-
camped on both sides Of the road. At Z y.
| NJ, the column was in motion, one brigade 60
| ing along the liue of the railroad, and the 9TH
er on the highway that runs parallel.
! On attacking the enemy's entertainments he
| first cannon bali killed Lieutenant Colonel Mer-
rett, who threw up his hands and exclaiuiug,
"Oh dear, Oh DEAR aud died. After an hours
| fight Adutant StreBas-son of the President
Of Amherst College-was instantly killed by
musAet ball in his breast. One regiment, at
double quick, entered the encmy's brcastworks
drove the men from the nearest guns, but two
regiments Of rebels emerging from a grove our
| forces fell back.
AT this time Captain J. ID. Frcz,r was
wounded in the right arm, and dropped his
sword, but taking it in his left hand, he at
tempted 10 escape with lis company, fell into
the ditch, and was taken prisoner, and dragged
inside again over the parapct. A guard of
three men was placed over him, his sword was
taken, but his revolver being overlooked, he
seized the opportunity offered by a charge Of
the 4th Rhode Island, aud by the judicious
display of bis pistol, captured all three of his
guard.
The 4th Rhode Island, at double quick, went
directly up to a battery of five guns, firing as
they ran, and captured the whole battery.
At one time Acting Master Hammond, of
the Navy, in charge of howitzer, had his
shoes pulled eff by the mud ard fought through
the engagement in his stocking feet. Lieut.
Col. Potter, of the New York 5lst, received
ball in his side and fell, but, rallying, he had.
his servant put on bandage, and returned to
his place cheering his men.
On our extreme right a number ofregiments,
had been advancing inch by inch, standing up
against the enemy's muskelry and canuonade
; without finching, and at about the time when
the 4th Rhode Island charged in at the right
flank, the colors Of the 24Ih were planted on
the parapet at the left, and the whole Of the
First Brigade poured into the fOrtiicallOn. -
The whole line Of earthwhorks was now in cur
hands, and the cheers Of our men, from one
end Of it TO the other, broke out with fresh
, spirit as each new regimental color was un-
lured on the parapet.
When the charge Of the 4th Rhode Island
r had been made, and the colors were carried
along the whole length of the main battery
Gen. burnside asked some one what regiment
!. | 81. ,,,.,- n bo;no. 4oIJ tIo 4tI Lao 4
= Il knew it. 1t was no more than l expected
Thank God, the day is ours"
The approaches to Newborn were defended
5 by line of water batteries or forts communi-
eating with field Notifications of the most ex.
tensire nature. The lower fort is about SIX
miles from the city; the next communicates will
the unfinished batteries aud brcastwOrks pass
ed on our march, and the others distributed at
i about equal distances along the shore. The
j line Of notifications attacked and stormed il
the brilliant engagement Of yesterday was so'nC
: three miles in extent. AT the river bauk I
hexagonal fort, or water battery, with large
J bomb prOOfand thirteen heavy guns, command
ed not only the river approach, but 10y means
:, of pivot carriages the cannon could be turned
s upon an advancing land force, and even t.
It sweep the line of breastworks itself in case thi
g garrison should be driven out.
e We did not know with certainty that Their
:. was not another battery as formidable as thl
II still farther up the road, but thinking it bes
s. to feed the panic which had seiz1d upon tn
d enemy, Gen. Burnside ordered au advance
i The march to Newbern was quite unobstruct
g ed, the enemy having apparently all he couh
do to get away from US, and early in the al
v tcrnCon our forces reached the bank OF tn
At river Immediately opposite the city. Long bt
Is fore we came in sight OF it, however, dens
w volumes of smoke were seen rising 10 that d
rection, and the suspicion that the place ha
as been fired by the enemy was fully realize
:" when its steeples aud houses were in view
or Newhern had been fired in seven different Pl'
% ces and if the wind had not mcrciiuIly subsl'
We ed, there would hardly have been house le
he standing by uightlall The splended railroa
IN bridge, $50 yards long, had also heen set q
of fire by scow load of turpentine which ho
= driited against it, and the great structure WI
n wrapped in one grand sheet of flame.
or The great majority of the inhabitants ha
n left town, doubtless under the impression thi
s. the whole was to be given up to the flame
the stores were closed without exception, al
rs had it not baen for the negroes and fe