Newbern progress., 1863-01-31

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fired simultaneously, which exploded
directly over and close to a hundred
! FOUNDER Parrott gun, mounted on the
southern parapet Of the rebel fort, and
which had given our vessels the great
est anxiety and trouble, disabling
every man engaged in working the
gun. With field glasses we could
plainly see that not less than seven of
the poor fellows were literally blown
to pieces, their limbs being torn a
sander, and their bodies severed into
shapeless masses and scattered through
out their works. Nine others, either
engaged in working the gun or stand
ing by it, were counted among the
wounded, who were borne from the
spot by those who rushed to the res
cue, or discovered dragging their Grip
pied limbs over the ground to place
of refuge Not a man was left TO
work the gun, and throughout the
rest Of the engagement it was not again
fired.
The Rebel Fire Slackens
With the silencing of this immense
piece, which seems to have been their
main reliance, the fire of the enemy
began to slacken, as if their forces had
become disheartened. But still their
other guns were worked with some
animation, while all the batteries of
our gunboats poured in upon them the
most damaging fire. As yet not a
single shot had struck any of our ves-
sells since the action commenced, al
though many fell in close proximity,
and our fire did not slacken in the
least. We had attained perfect ran
ges, and each shot we fired was be-
coming more and more close, until it
was with the utmost hazard that they
could work their guns at all. We
slaughtered their gunners; but, obsti-
nately, they put others in their places.
We silenced one, and finally two of
their guns =; but still the remaining
two kept fearlessly at work. 1t was
desperately on their part, and they
manifested a determination to fight to
the last.
tbs Fort A6andoned.
Finally the last came. The ground
became too hot for them. One of the
remaining guns on the eastern parapet
was abandoned, the gunners flying in
confusion. The example was speedily
followed by those employed on the
south parapet, and the fort was silenc-
ed.
| The Gunbodts Vithdrdu.
| Just at this juncture signals were
made by the army for us to cease our
firing, and our boats dropped back,
out of action.
Il Furious assault by the Army.
Then commenced a most furious as
sault by the land fo, ces. Those upon
the left, comprising, as | am informed,
the divisions of Generals Steele and
David Stewart.-formerly Morgan L..
Smith's-crossed the enemy's abatis,
under a heavy fire from their rifle pits,
and put the rebels to utter route. driving
them out in the direction of the road
leading to Little Rock. Here they
We're headed off by the divisions that
had crossed from the White river, and
a desperate engagement ensued, OF
this engagement [ have but little infor
nation. as | was not present to witness
it. and have had no opportunity of con-
verSlng with those who were.
The Engagement on the Right
[ am informed that, on emerging
from the fire of our forces on the left,
the rebels formed in line of battle and
attempted to break our right wing. with
a view of escaping; but being repulsed,
after heavy slaughter, a cessation of
hostilities occurred. During this ces
sation reinfOrcements were sent round
from our left 10 the right to- such an
extent that when the enemy again at
tempted the task of breaking through,
which they did at three P1 NJ, they
were again repulsed after very brief
engagement, their forces breaking in
confusion and utter demoralization.-
Soon after the rebel commander sent
out flag of truce proposing a captu
latlon. The answer returned was that
the only capitulation that could be made
would be one based on an unconditional
surrender. This reply was doubtless
expected, for after short delay it was
accepted, and at four p NJ, we became
possessors Of this famous position, with
its heavy armament. all its garrison,
light artillery, small arms. camp equip
age, ammunition, stores, &c. Colonel
Dunnington, late of the United States
Navy, commandant of the fort. request
ed to surrender to the navy, and Admi
raj Porter received his sword.
Sketch Of Colonel Dunniagton.
The rebel Colonel John w. Dunning
ton, is native and citizen of Ken
lucky, from which State he was appoint
ed to the United States Navy on the
10th of April, 1919. On the 10th of
October, 1856, he was promoted to a
lieutenancy, and in 1861 he resigned
hiS roSition In the lnnal seruicn Of his