Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-03-21
MOrtester 4ailp Spp.
THE DAILY SPY.
Important from North Carolina.
THE REBELS ATTACK NEWBERN
Several Successful Expeditions Sent
Out From NeWbern.


Thare has been unusual stir and excitement
among our troops at Newborn, occasioned
first by several successful expeditions sent out
by Gen. Foster, and then by an attack of the
rebels, under Gen. d. II. Hill, who came with
a large force and expected to capture it.
We make extracts from letters printed in
some OF the New York papers, beginning
with those that give an account of the rebel
attack.
THE ATTACK ON NEwBERN.
NEwBERN, N. c., March I'LL p. NJ
This is the anniversary Of the capture of this
place, and the day has been one of the most
intense excitement Skirnlishing has been
going on all day on three sides of the city,
while within the lines of our army the most
eXtravagant stories and rumOrS of the rebels
force and designs have obtained circulation
The place is certainly invested with an im-
mense rebel force, but how large or of what
character it is impossible to ascertain as yet !;
and do not remember to have seen since the
war commenced more promising chance for
a fight than is presented now and here.
FIRST APPEARANCE oE THE REBELS.
About three O'Clock yesterday afternoon,
our pickels, who were out on what is known
tto tlAC IItHl LOrOt5 dDOuI lCl lilllSS lTUlu lnS
city, were driven in to the infantry camp,
where four companies of the 25th Massachu-
sets volunteers, under Captain Denny, were
encamped nearer the town, by an overwhelm-
ing force ofthe enemy, and word was immedi-
ately sent to Gen. Foster, who ordered Gen.
Palmer, with Col. Lees brigade, consisting of
the 9th, 10Th, and 43d regiments Massachu-
sets volunteers, to the scene of action. Bel
gers and Riggs batteries were also sent for
warl, and just before night came upon the add
vance OF the enemy at place called Deep
Gully, two miles beyond the camp of the 25th
Massachusetts regiment Here the third New
York cavalry, who had gone forward at the
first alarm under Lieut.. Colonel Lewis, were
found in company with battalion OF the 25th
Massachusetts volunteers, skirmishng with
. the enemy across the creek; but night COM
ing on, and the scene of action being in
dense wood, our artillery was unable to render
much assistance; so, OF course, all that was
done had to be done with the infantry and cav
airy, and they attempted nothing but what
they accomplished, and that was to hold the
enemy in check. So, with picket firing and
long range skirmishing, the night wore away
the rebels evidently considering it not best
to advance, and our forces making the best
show OF strength possible, in order to deter
them from doing 50, should that conclusion
have entered their programme of arrange
ments. Daylight this morning found our
forces in their position of the night before,
and the enemy evidently arranging lot an
advance. But one man upon our side was
knownto be killed during the skirmisll, and one
OF Co. q, 25th Massachusetts regiment taken
prisoner.
At daylight this morning the camp of the
CPD New York regiment, on the north bank of
Ia, ri,a, ifa md hal mill
above the town, was summoned to surrender
by large force of the rebel army. The of
fcer in command, Lieut. Col. Anderson, i'm
mediately communicated with Gen. Foster,
. and was instructed to hold his position at all
hazards The gunbOats were sent up to the
vicinity of the place about sunrise, and then
commenced a severe cannonadlng, which
concluded throughout the day, the gunboats
Smelling the woods back OF and to the right
and lett of the camp, and the rebels answering
with field pieces at intervals learn that a
regiment was sent over to-day to reinforce the
place, and, aside from good deal Of uncer-
tain firing, the contest in that quarter has
amounted to nothing to-day. About ii A. NJ.
a rumor was rife that a large body Of the en-
envy were advancing upon the Polocksville
road on the south side of the Trent river, and
had posted themselves on -- creek, four
miles above town; but at o'clock tonight
learned that the picture was overdrawn.
Some firing was heard to-day out on the Trent
road, but can not hear of anything definite
from that quarter.
FROM Capt j. w. Denny, the senior officer
in command of the four companies of the 18th
regiment Massachusetts, volunteers, which
sustained the shock Of the rebel onset in COM
pany with the cavalry, | learn the particulars
of the attack on Friday.
CAPTAIN DENNIS ACCOUNT.
About half past 2 o'clock on the afternoon
of Friday, the 18th inst, as our infantry pick
cts, with its cavalry vidette, were stationed
just beyond the outpost at Deep Gully, a
small body of rebel cavalry came down upon
them via the Trent road. Soon after another
body of cavalry came down on a charge and
fired upon the infantry picket stationed in the
rifle pits at ''the Gully" The fire was briskly
returned when the enemy left with some
wounded. The main picket camp was noti-
fed of the attack, and company X of the 25th
Massachusetts was sent forward to the out
post and Capt. Chamberlain of company A,
Sd New York cavalry, moved his command
to the 'front.' and, dismounting his men, at
tackled the enemys advance which was con-
cealed in the woods mile beyond the out
post. Capt. Chamberlain, after having felt
the enemy's position and strength, retlred,and
Capt. Denny ordered up the other infantry
companies of his commando, and G Of
the 18th Massachusetts volunteers-placing
them IN the most advantageous positions tc
repelan attack, company X being stationed
in the rifle pits. Very soon the enemy open.
ed upon us from four pieces of artillery
throwing shells, grape, canister and solid sho
directly into the works and among orr troons
At this point Lieut.. Col. Lewis of the 81 New
York cavalry arrived from Newbern and as
sumed command, and finding the position nm
tenable, ordered the brave men to retire i,
order. which was done without losing man
Our forces being reinforced by some comma
MES of the Sd New York cavalry and one how
itzer. took position about one hundred va I'd
back of the rifle pits at the gully, and open
on the enemy a heavy fire. The rebels the
attempted to flank our position, when colone
Lewis ordered a retreat, which was made il
good order, the enemy following upon
charge, with most terrific shouts and yells
The infantry lost one man during the retreat
William Wisswell of company 6, who wa
probably taken prisoner. Our forces thei
took position at the Grapevine House, three
fourths of mile this side of the gully
which position they held until relieved b
Colonel Lees brigade, ut nightfall. b.
The troops laid upon their arms during tn
night, suffering severely from the cold, an
the next morning moved forward to attac
the enemy, Gen. Palmer having arrived
take the command. Company X was throw
into the woods on the right, and had a sever
skirmish of over an hour with the en0mys az
vance, and succeeded in driving the rebe