Newbern weekly progress., 1862-11-15
lhemselyes secessionistsi

Ithem--avowed themselves secessionists,
to take the oath, and are now confined 4.
church The Provost Marshal has turned ib.
skey On them; they have the Provost guard for
guardian angels tonight. pcrton Of the
Eighth Pennsyl lvania cavalry, was Immediately
sent, under Major Keenan,, down the road leading
towards Bloomfield in the direction OF the enemy.
II was not long before the rebels were encounter
ed They opened On the Major with artillery ms
he approached, In the meantime our troops were
handsomely disposed by the General who male
every preparation to successfully TO repel any
assault, while he also undertook to dislodgo the
enemy. Phiomont Is a commanding point.
From here we have splendid viewof the valley
away to the mountains. 1t is a strong military
position When Major Keenans command was
fired on by the rebels II was in the belt Of woods
moro than anile from the town A section Of
Lieut.. Pcnnington's flying horse artillery was
run up on the crest commanding the country
beyond. His guns replied with fine effect to tIls
rebel artillery, We had no infantry up at tho
time. A PORTION Of the cavalry dismounted, and
went inIS' lie Woods as skirmishers. The re.
nlainder held the horses Of the dismounted mem
near the angle of the woods. Our carbineers'
were being pressed from the timber by the
enemy's infaniryskirmisher Col Gregg, com!
mandng the Eighth Pennsylvania, was thel'
sent down with .hs REMAINDER of the regiment
aud tho Third Indistia, Major Chapman cDm!
mandhg, tu tho support Of Major Keeuan. The
latter, who was slJwly retiri:g aong tho road
wheeled into the ffeld'or the right and formed
his men in line. Colonel Gregg moved into the
same field and formed a little TO his let. 1t was
q splendid sight to see tile cavalry maneuverings
under FIRE in the field Presently tho enemy
opened again with the artillery on the left, when
Lieut. Chapin was sent down TO eur cavalry with
sgun He went close to tho woods. where tho
fire waa'very hot'for time.
The rebel artillery, at short range, threw
showers Of grape and canister, while tho
skirmishers depl6yed and advanced across the
field to an orchard in the valley. Our cavalry
with the gun, was brought back short distance
to a more desirable position. The whole Of
Penningon's battery was stationed on the ciest,,'
and replied to the enemy's artillery. Sooh we
saw the rebels bringing the gun from the woods
to the left, across to the open field, to the point
where the road is lost in another piece Of woods.
4rhey dashed across the field at flying speed.
The fire of our guns was concentrated on this
piece, and several splendid shots were Cred be.
fore il got into position. Less than dozen shots
were fied from it, all Of which passed over our
heads without doing any damage, when we saw
the rebels timber up and dash back again faster
than they had come. There they 60 give it'
to en-, boys" and Pennington pitched into
them il splendid style. Several shells burst'
ulTeCtIy over iHe n uutnUtT VI ftUel UnnCotH
were riding over the field at the time Our shells
created most amusing stampede among them.
Horsemen and rilerless horses were running
about in all directions to escape the fearful effect
! Of our she'll Brisk skirmishing was going on
between our cavalry and the enemys infantry
in the woods meanwhile s
We had one man killed, fourteen wounded and
half dozen missing: Their names have BEEN
forwarded by telegraph. Lieutenant Carpenter,
H. f,.ht 4,
Led iu the arm. When Major Keenan, came up
he was bespattered with blood. his horse having
been killed under him. The enemy lost num-
Iber Of men, Five dead rebels were seen on the
field.
Soon we saw another rebel gun, drawn by
| gray horses, coming across The field on a gallon.
Our guns were instantly pointed at it, aud some
splendid shots were fred. Il wheeled into posi-.
ton, however, on the right of the road, and
threw few s.rots at US but our FIRE was so. .sa.u
that i eeSs a fs6pns back again
! Trey dashed over the feld, across the road and
nm another to the left. "Thers they 60 again;
siT s ena Ss
terry. Several cornfelds were SET en- fire by the
shell; wounded horses were limpng over the
field, and the rebel guns were soon out Of sight,
and did not fire again during the afternoon. The
firing ceased about four O'Clock.
Subsequently, however, the rebel skirmishers. .
who had fallen back into the woods, adyshssds
TO the apple orchard again They took refuge
behind the Trees from which they kept up con-
stant popping for awhile at our dismounted men.
The fire was returned in effective style. This
pastime was kept up for more than an hour, when
the rebels were finally compelled to retire. They,
had been driven from every position they had
assumed Altogether II was the most pictures
que and amusing skirmish have seen.