Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-20
VessIs Running the Blockade.
Sir Robert Peel Challenged.
This Mornings Report,
DETAILS OF THE BATTLE OF NEW
BERN, N. @.

/
BERN, N. O.
New YORK, March 10.
The following are the details Of the bat
tie at Newbern: .--.s
Com. Rowan was in command OF the feet
Of gunboats, and had sunken vessels, torpe-
does, and other rebel distractions to over
come and pass, but surmounted oil With
but slight damage toiOAly two Of his fifteen
vessels. Two brigs, three barks, and nine,
teen schOoners were sunk by the rebels
above two rebel batteries. The latter we're
silenoed, the sunken vessels passed, and
our flag hoisted over the silenced batteries
as our forces went sleng. as
This was on Saturday afternoon, and
night closed in. Sunday morning heavy
fog set in, but lifted, when our boats pass.
ed up safely, and silenced Fort Thorn pson
with its two heavy oolumbiads. Then Fort
Ellis, with nine guns, was captured, after
pretty brisk fighting, but THE rebels fed
soon in panic, and our flag waved over
another fort Et t-lI
Only one fort was left to be engaged,
and NewbeFn would be ct the mercy Of our
troops. This was Fort Lane, but the reb.
els having enough Of the boats offered liz
tie resistance and fled. The rebels then
fred large number Of seoWs, flled with
rosin and turpentine, intending to foat
them down and burn our. gunboats, but
they got stuck and burnt away fuFiously.
The gunboats then shslled the depot and
track, but our troops had then crossed, and
white flag was hoisted. Our navy did
not lose man. jeLGILH thb / I'D
Operations on the land were briefly as
folloWs: - 90 5.ila s...d .a.a1soH q, a
Our troops landed twelve miles beleW
NeWbern, Gen. Reno's bfigsde in the ad-
vance, most Of the troops being so anxious
to land that nearly every regiment jumped
in the water and Waded ashore, and the
whole division was ashore in less than two
hours.
After marching two miles, they found
deserted rebel camps, with fires burning,
and hot rebel breakfast untouched.
a breestNotk Vss only passed, and The |
division bivouaoked for the night, snd I
early in the morning skirmishing began. 1
Fosters Brigade, comprising the Masse- |
ohusetts 24th, 25th, 18th, and 23d, with |
the 10Th oonneeticus in reserve were in
line and engaged . twenty gun battery Of |
the rebels on their left flank, who shower
ed grape, cannister and shell upon them,
also hesvy musketry from their infantrg. |
The Second r Brigade, comprising 2lbt I
Massachusetts,, 6lst New FORK, 5ist Penn
sylVsnis, and 9Th New Jersey. engaged /
them on the right and Gen Perks Third
Brigade took q position in front. 4
The lst brigade lore the brunt Of the |
battle, and the 24th MASSACHUSETTS soon had |
Maj Stevenson and Lieut. Horton wound /
ed, and the 2Sd Mass lost Lieut.. Col. Mer-
ritt By cannon ball carrying away one
side Of his body. sl-E /
The 10Th Connecticut we're ordered to
support the 27th Mass which had suffered
severely. -- -----------
The Sd Brigade, together with the ID, !
made a flank mavement and the order to
charge baYonets vas given, 3 hand 10 hand
conflict ensued Of most dsperate charao-
ter, when our troops drove the rebels out at
the point Of the bsyOnet, chasing them out
Of sight .goil
The rebels took possession Of a railroad
train and fed from NeWbern, burning
bridges, the Washington House, some pri.
vste dwellings and q number Of Ehis .ey
and turpentine distilleries.
Slaves had commenced pillsRinR. but |
were stopped. 20 /
a number of UniOnists we're found in
the city. r-.rss r-s -.l--l raal8 taUE