Newbern progress., 1863-01-31

obstructions are of no great moment
in the way of powerful army. and
therefore the knowledge of their ex
istence had no influence in deterring
the General commanding from debark-
ing the main portion of his force at
this point TO move overland. One di
vision, as previously stated, moved
several miles higher up the steam and
debarked on the south side of the river,
in order to prevent the escape in that
direction Of any portion of the rebel
army should the assailing force succeed
in dislodSing them from their fortified
positions. The transports containing
4 artillery were also moved up to a point
within five miles of the Post and there
unloaded, a portion on either bank,
the largest amount being put off on
the north bank, whence it was easily
moved through lanes and across cult
waited fields to the road upon which
the infantry were moving, but mile
from the bank at this point. This lat
ter place of debarkation was but about
three miles from the fort and in plain
view Of it.
Adcancing.
As rapidly as the troops and artillery
were put on shore they were moved
forward to positions in the rear and to
the south Of the enemy's position, pre-
viously assigned them 10y General
McClernand. Each division comman-
der was supplied with chart of the
country, with his particular position
clearly marked upon it, and he in turn
was directed to so order and instruct
his brigade commanders that there
should be no conflict or mistakes. Thus
was easily avoided much Of the diff
Guilty that led to our disgraceful failure
at Vicksburg, where less regard was
paid to order and discipline.
The Gun5oats Corer the Debarkation.
The debarkation of the troops and
artillery at the different points was
covered by gunboats, and during the
debarkation at the upper landing sew
eral iron-clads were sent forward to
within mile and a half Of the fort,
and opened vigorous fire upon it to
restrain any premeditated assault upon
US.
The Troops in Good Spirits.
BY o'clock on Saturday afternoon
the entire force had been put ashore
and had moved away to secure their
positions. The men were in the high
est spirits, being led by captain in
whom they had the fullest confidence,
and all animated with a firm PRESENT.
ment of a sure and speedy victory.
Plans Of the Battle.
Gen. McClernand had laid his plans
to make his victory not only sure, but
decisive. To this end he had disposed
his forces so as completely to circum-
vent the Post and prevent any egress
from it in any direction whatever. 1t
has been previously mentioned that
one division debarked on the south
side of the Arkansas This was de-
signed to prevent any escape by cross
ing the river. Another division, in
stead of following the main force into
the common rendezvous at Belleville,
continued directly up the White river
about twenty-five miles, where they
debarked on the west side of that
stream, whence, by pushing their way
through the timbered bottom land for
distance of three miles, they would
emerge into higher land and open
prairie, continuing thus until they
again entered the woods skirting the
! Red river, about three miles back of
the Post. The distance across by this
ronte was but ten or twelve miles; and,
although no we'll constructed roads ex-
listed, or in fact any roads, the timber
was so open and free from underbrush
that but little difficulty was met with
in getting through. This division
struck what is called the White river
road-running nearly north and south
about two miles and a half from the
Post. Following this road about three
quarters of a mile, to avoid an extern
sive marsh or swamp lying northeast
of the town, they filed off by their
right flank through piece Of woods,
until their right came upon the main
turnpike leading up the Arkansas river
to Little Rock, and took possession of
a small bridge on this road, across a
creek leading from the north into the
Arkansas, about mile and half from
the town, thus cutting off all retreat
from the Post in this direction.
The two divisions that has debarked |
on the north side of the river, below
the Post, deployed into line, with their
extreme right resting upon the left of
the division from the White river, and .
their left coming down nearly TO the
river below the town, thus completing
the circuit OF the eneny's position.
The Gun60ats Open.
a general plan of attack had been
previously agreed upon between Gen.
McClernand and Admiral Porter, in
accordance with which the iron-clad
gunboats moved up into close position