Newbern progress., 1863-01-31


guns were too highly elevated and our
shell passed over the bluff, falling far
into the rear of the rebel lines, and, as
the result demonstrated, doing more
damage to our own forces than to
those of tie enemy. But by degrees
more perfect range was obtained on
both sides, and the rebel missiles fell
around our vessels in uncomfortable
frequency. The rebels disclosed but
four guns bearing upon us, though
these were Of heavy calibre, and were
handled with great skill. We thus
had the advantage Of them in weight
of metal, having, where the bow guns
of our boats only used, twelve guns
working against them, while by swing
ing about we could occasionally pour
in a broadside with great effect. At
ter the few first rounds we got better
range, and our shell fell with great
accuracy into the rebel works, explod-
ing and spreading CONSERVATION and
confusion all around. Thus we soon
disabled one of their best pieces, a
large rifle gun, knocking it complete,
ly off its mountings by well directed
shot from the Louisville. Another OF
their guns also soon ceased to work,
but whether because of the loss of ar
tillerists or accident to the piece does
appear
Withdra,caz Of the Gun5oats
We had thus silenced half of the
guns working against US, and had as
yet received no serious damage, when
signals were displayed from the flag
ship to withdraw from the action
The cause of this early withdrawal,
when every prospect favored an early
success in silencing the rebel battery,
did not first appear, and much dis
satisfaction and grumbling were man
ifested by the crews of the various
boats engaged; but it was soon known
throughout the squadron that it had
been previously agreed between the
naval and army commanders that at a
certain hour the navy should withdraw
and the land force would make an as
sault. But for some unexplained rea-
son the army did not come to time,
and, although the gunboats were with
drawn at the appointed time, the army
made no assault. This was probably
owing to the existance Of heavy OBJ
structions in their line of march, which
prevented them getting into position
at the proper time.
4 Consultation.
Early in the following evening Gen.
McClernand visited the Admiral,
when long consultation ensued, at
which the plan of battle for Sunday
was agreed upon. 1t was also agreed
upon, as a wise plan, to give the be-
leaguered garrison as little rest as pos
sible during the intervening night,
and accordingly the gunboats were
directed to fire a shot every half hour.
This desultory firing was not designed
to do any great amount of damage,
and probably did not but it unques-
tionally had the effect of depriving
some rebels of their usual nights rest,
and thus untitled them in a measure
for duty on the following day.
Sunday Morning.
Sunday morning, at daylight, our
gnnboats were to resume the cannon
ade upon the fort but the morning
dawned with a dense fog spreading
over the river, which prevented the
gunboats moving up into action until
nearly nine o'clock, at which hour the
attack was resumed.
The Attack Resumed.
For one hour the cannonading was
Ho+ ~ ~
The enemy had, during the night, re-
placed the gun we had dism ounted
on the previous evening, and also had
supplied gunners for the other gun
silenced, so that their whole battery
was in play As the fog lifted the
shown out bright and beauti-
ful, and nature put on her most beau
tiful garb. The cannonading that fol-
lowed was sadly in contrast with the
clear sky and gladsome sun. Heavy
reports of artillery and loug shouts of
excited men were all the sounds to be
heard, and these seemed in sad discord
with the smiling appearance Of nature.
But the battle had commenced, and
soon it ragged with interest fury.
The Army Engaged.
The army on the shore had already,
on the left wing, entered an extern
sive abatis, and were forcing their way
mp to the rifle pits of the enemy
against continuous volley Of mus
kerry, while the right of our lines was
leld in check by the shots of our own
gunboats Thus the roar of artillery
was intermingled with the din of mus
kerry and the shouts of victorious men
until the volume of inharmonious
sounds became musical in its discor-
lance. Light artillery was planted
Dy Gen. Sherman in a commanding
position, to shell the rebel position
rom inland, which drew responses not