New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-16
FROM NORTH CAR
0LENA.

Of GnsunItits.
s.oIn Our Special Correspondent.
NEwBKRS, N. C., Sept 2, 1862.
The usual cOmposure of this cty was very much
disturbed this morning by the arrival of steamer
from Washington, n. c., with the intelligence that
the Rebels, with q force 900 strong, made most
audae;oas attempt 10 capture Washington ana al
our troops stationed at that point 1t appears ''a'
Lt.-Co Mix of the 3dN Y. Cavalry, win lour COM
panies of his command, were at Washington NJ I"
the remainder being stationed here, Tor tne purpose
OF fitting out an expedition Tor some otner pot ana
all the four companies) were IN their saddles al Day
light. iust starting out OF town, when suddenly
wild veil of the most startling character was beard
in the ether part of the city, as though ten thousand
savares had sprung forth from their hiding places.
Accompanying the wild yells was the rapid report of
musketry and artillery In an instant il was dscov-
cred that the enemy were in possession OF the city
with force double our own. Their SIN companies
of infantry in less than five minutes from the first
alarm, had surrounded the brick barracks
which contained our four infantry companies,
two Of which belonged 70 tie lst N {. Union Nolun
feers and the ether two TO the 24th Mats. The bar
rae ks are situated on the banks of the river under
the cover Of the gunboat Louisiana, which hays
within ten rods OF them. The Rebels demanded
surrender from infantry companies, who told
tie that thew would see tfei III III iISti
and AT the zane time they opened fire on the
Rebels from the windows. The demand for a
surrender was made before half OF our troops were
awake all of whom were sound asleep when the
enemy fret made mis- appearance 1t being COM
plete surprise as the distance between plckets
and the barracks too shof, 10 permit OF anything
else The moment it was ascertained that tue
enemy had attacked the city, L.-Col. Nix, with his
four companies of cavalry, wheeled aooui aud
charged down thu street 10 meet the desperate charge
al..a al l1 l..t
like so many wild demons the TIVE flying forces
were coming together IN mortal combat. The satanic
yels of the traitors had 10 terror TO the fearless
Mix, who, with many of his officers, are old Texan
rangers, who have been IN tue service many years
on the pinhs, where they have met sayages before.
Soon they were engaged 10 hand to hand enc0un-
ter of the most desperate character, which was o.
short DURATION Gs the enemy were unable to with
stand the superior discipline OF our troops who, from
all acccmts fought on this occasion as 10 re gulars
were ever Known TO fight. The Rebels bfoks and
beat hasty retreat, pursued by Lt.-Col Mix aud his
fearless followers who srewed the streets with the
S..einy dead in all directions.
After the fight OF the Rebel cavalry Lt..Col. Nix,
Mt the head of hs men, wheeled about and came TO the
relief of infantry, who were still housed lighting
superior numbers thiougc the few windows OF the
brick warehouse. Another desperate charge was
ordered aud our cavalry again in the thlckest
OF the fight cutting and sashiDg away al vigorous
rate Tue Rebel infantry were obliged to fall back
some distance which gave our infantry an opportu-
MY to get out of their barracks which gladly
embraced and then they went at the Rebels in good
earnest who by this tine were re-eniorced, when
most terrible fight followed. The dashing Lt.-Col.
with his heroic followers were everywhere present,
making a series OF the most desperate ana dGnng
CHARGES that Were ever witnessed, cutting their way
through the solid columns of the enemy, whose pre-
scented bayonets were skllfuuy turned IN every
instance. Our four companies OF infantry sup
ported the cavalry III the most admirable ma-
ner, and followed mp every Charge made by TIE
Lt.-Col. with the bayOnet, thus making II Land
to-hand fight for all engaged which gave the enemy
no time from these repeated shocks which
shattered and weakened their columns at every dash
The two companies Of loyal North CaroLuians en-
gagged, who belong 70 the LIST North Caronna Union
Volunteers behaved in the most praseworthy man
ner They were obliged 10 fight more desperately
than the rest OF our troops owing to the fact tha'
sentence Of death has been pronounced upon then
by the Rebels, who, it is thought, mace the attacl
In order that they might capture these brave de
Tenders OF the old flag, and thus carry out the exc
cution. Not long since, hike attempt was made by
q force of armed Rebels, who steathiy crept to tn,
outskirts OF the town, al the dead OF night, wheT,
these Iowa soldiers were doing picket Duty and as
Fascinated some Of them whose brains were beater
out after they bad been shot, leaving thy nlcKets be
longing to the Northern regiments unharme1. AL
the officers belonging to these oya North Carolina
Companies behaved with the utmost gaaDtry, as did
the officers and men u the two companies ID and u
OF the 9th Massachusetts Regiment. Col Potter Of
the lst North Carolina Union Volunteers, who had
horse shot from under him, WAS everywhere pres
ent behaving III the most cool and courageous man.
ner, and ably assisted by Lieuts Pendleton ard
Strong lads to Gen. Foster, who are highly spoken
OF by all as rendering important service while in the
most exposed position.
Another brilliant feature of this desperate engage
ment was the part which the gunboat Louisiana
took. The instant that the alarm was sounded eve
~ man and officer was at his poet, and The shells
flying in every direction. IL appears that {.
portion OF the Rebel force had seized strong posi.
ton III the outskirts OF the town, where they were
oil able to 90 much execution, and which would give
them our Notifications unless they were driven away
III once. The big guns Of this line boat were soon
brought in range, and with the most remarkable
accuracy every shell dropped in the very SPOT
which The enemy desired to hold, and where they
had collected in large numbers, killing many Of the
Rebels, who were obliged to give up all idea OF
holding what they had secured; and also were they
obliged to give up all idea Of taking the fortifcaion
which exploit they would have achieved had ii not
been Tor the precise manner In which the LOui-
siaDa dropped her Shells, which followed each other
with wonderful rapidly. The Louisiana rent con.
tinusl shower Of shells in the direction from whence
the enemy came, which kept large body OF then at
bay, where they were held in check unable To conc
to the assistance OF their associates owing 10 the
destructive effect OF these messengers of death from
which there was no escape. The Louisiana was IN
able TO fire upon the enemy in the streets who were
engaged in hand 10 hand fight with our troops
without running the risk OF killing our own men, all
Of whom were, at the COMMENCEMENT of the engage
ment, within speaking distance Of the prIabOas.
Capt. Renshaw, Of the Louisiana, q brave aud ac-
eomplisbed officer, kept good watch and whenever
company Of the Rebels were driven INFO corner or
away from our troops, then it that we'll
directed sheH fell among them incidental part
OF tue action, while the houses, in which the Rebels
TOOK refuge, all at once became perforated much like
aPegper'bo1, as the shells from the Louisiana went
MhizIing tarough them. Acting Volunteer Lieut.
Hooker oil this noble boat, Ike Capt Renshaw is en-
uiea " promotion Tor his gallant conduct 10 this