Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-04-10
Letter from Newborn.

A letter we have received from member
of the twenty filth regiment, dated at New
bern, March Goth, after giving some account
of the battle and of the enemy's works, states
that the writer's company had charge of some
prisoners He gives an account of their
movement toward Newborn, and says -
"The prisoners were a little in advance of
those taken at Roanoke Island, but only a lit.
tie. Among them were Col. Avery of the SD
North Carolina. with three captains and tour
lieuteuants. One of the captains said, on be.
ing taken prisoner, pointing at the same time
to where many OF his men lay dead, II
rather lie over yonder, dead, than to come to
this" The 33d North Carolina was composed
entirely of drafted and forced men. l heard
several different stories respecting the manner
several of them were compelled to take up
arms. The morning OF the third day we were
delighted to hear that we were to take the
prisoners to Newborn, where we were to ipin
the regiment. One company of the 2lst Mas.
sachusetts, with about fifty taken by them,
Joined us, and, taking them between open
files, they commenced the march to the town.
After marching some two miles over a perfect
ly straight track we came in sight of one of
the church spires and a little to the left of it
waved the glorious stars and stripes. | felt a
glow of eXultation similar though not equal TO
that felt few days before, when | saw that
ensign floating over captured battery l
have seen plenty of Union flags at home.
Banners at various times | have seen floating
over nearly every store and over many resi-
dences in Worcester, but all of them together
never produced a tenth part of the impression
single, and, in appearance, an inferior one
has done since The first glimpse | caught of
the place was the church, and what seemed
lis lifting companion,-that flag we are SO
g!oriously sustaining. Crossing one bridge
over small creek, we soon came TO the re-
mains of the fine bridge over the Trent river
which is entirely destroyed, only the piers re.
naming The prisoners were taken on board
the Albany, with the company OF the twept,-
first regiment of which l have spoken. We
were Immediately landed and halted on one
of the principal streets. Having been so long
exposed to mud and water, suppose we looked
little shabby. The colonel was slowly riding
by, and though we found no difficulty in rec
ognizing him, it was not until he passed us
that through our lieutenant he ascertained
whom we were. He says, "Why this is Com
pany H, isn't t?" stopping his horse 81
didn't know you" lie speedily conducted us
to our quarters, nice house with good back
yard, by which runs the river, thus atforlinp
us a splendid opportunity for bathing, of which
we were not slow to take advantage Found
to our regret that mail had already been sent.
making it impossible for us to acquaint our
friends of our safety as soon as our comrades
The next day was allowed us to look about
the town, and the privilege was gladly accept
ed. Newbern is really beautiful place 1t
looks at least fifty years in advance of Annap-
oils. The streets are very regularly laid out,
crossing each other at right angles and being
OF very good width. There are very many
fine buildings and private residences. Most
OF the latter are used as quarters for officers
The town is in one respect far ahead of anything
l ever saw in New England. This is in the
manner it is shaded. Shade trees (mostly
elm) are set out at such intervals as to form a
connected shade, both lengthwise the street
and across it, l learn that, for the size of the
town, 1t contained larger proportion of ars-
tocracy than almost any southern city.
Trade, too, has been very brisk here, before
the war commenced, and as a natural result
the town does not have that run down
and neglected appearance which was a
marked peculiarly Of Annapolis All Of us
have become accustomed to city life and it
is a very agreeable change. We are on patrol
guard every other day, but are glad to do it,
and retire to good comfortable quarters. Last
Sabbath we enjoyed the great luxury OF at
tending divine service in a church. 1t was
the Presbyterian church, and was not only
good looking in the Interior but also had a
good organ, whose tones were pleasant re-
minders OF home, as were also those of the
church bell which called us together. 1t was
the first time we had entered a church with
loaded guns. The regiment generally is in
good health and Fpirits. All are anxious to
hear definitely from the division of General
Mcclellan and other departments of our adj
vancing army"