Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-02-18

Correspondence Oh the Petersburg Express.

KINsFoN, Feb. G. 1864.
Mr.. Ed.tor--I intended writing yesterday, but was
prevented by various circumstances from doing sO and
write this morning to give you account OF expe
ditiou to NeWbern.
Bartons, Kenper's and Ransom's Brigades, left
Kinston Saturday morning, the 30th of January,
marching down the right hand side OF the Trent river
towards Newbern, the whole command under General
Barton, acting Ma jor General. After two days and
half of one nights marching, reached the vicinity of
Newberu without any incident worth recording early
on the merning of Monday the lst of February, and
formed in line of battle two miles from thattown.
The object Of the expedition by this tme had become
pretty we'll known and there countless specuatons
going on as to the result. The idea of charging the
formidable works with which Newbern was surround
ed was not very popular, but still the general deter
minaton of the troops was to go in if ordered.
And now one OF the great sacrifices OF the soldier
had to be made and of his most melancholy duties
performed-namely, to tear up or burn bis letters
This is point of honor with soldiers, that the charac
tiers traced by the hand of affection shall be gezed
upon hy the rude and vulgar eye Of Yankee curiosity
This is ofter as ave.said, melancholy duty these
letters contain the record OF mothers love and moth
ers prayers, sisters gentle counsels and often the
words of affection and encouragement from one dearer
than either mother sister. There is word
which he has not fingered with mingled feens of JOY,
gratitude.and affection, ard in the absence of the wri
tiers they almost the only connecting link between
him and the "loved ones far away"
Perhaps, if the cold and heartless could have
how eagerly and fondJy these weather SateE, sun
bropzd and battescared veterans read page after page
of these old letters, before committing them to the
flames Winds they would have felt amused, but for
myself too full of my own regrets at having to
part with precious treasure to enjoy he distress of
others. Welay here in line Of battle all day Monday,
Monday night and Tuesday, without any excitement,
except some shellng and slight skirmish by the I'D
varced pickets We had really stolen on the enemy
unexpectedly, and cavalry pickes advanced they
came on picket post of the Yankees-these never
dreaming that the movement was anything more than
cavalry raid concluded to capture the few cavalry in
sight. 'As pickets came up pretty near th II
post they stepped out, and one of them sung out,
"heres your mule the instant reply of the Southern
boys was, "heres your rider" and pitched into them
with WILL killing three and capturing FIVE. the others
escaping through the swamp. Having driven in their
pickes, the artillery was ordered forward and having
gotten position, they commenced vigorous fte on
the enems batteries The Yankees replied, H. lug
with. great accuracy, and wounding several mel at
the i5st fire. At night, our pckets were ad-
Of the town, and remained there without i'll
terruption, except an occasional she'll u1ti!
the next night. Tuesday evening, l went
down on the picket line and by climbing tree had q
tolerabe fair view OF Newbern. The town ls situated
at the junction of the Neuse and Trent rivers On sort
of peninsula. The river defences are quite strong
There is very heavy battery facing the river on the
side from which it, mounting soms nlne or ten
heavy guns The defences in front of the town consist
of two lines of very heavy eathworks, running across
from one river the other, with deep ditch or cana
in trout This canal is said to be twenty feet broad
and fifteen Deep filed wi h water and the beastworks
are said to be spiked on the top Several large flags
we're visible bssdesthe which foated over the pat
terry on side, and suppose marked the position o
Forts on the opposite sda of the town. 1t having be
come evident that could not take the town without
too much sacrifice orders were given to fall back a.
sunset. Accordingly at sunset we commenced to fal
back upon the same road by which We had advanced
But very heavy rain had fallen while we were do~r
there and the wagons and artillery had passed over th
before u.s. and of all the muddy roads you ever reai
Of this the muddiest The mud everywhere owe
your shoes, often up to your knees, and sometime
waist deep. L saw several fellows completely mlreo
who had to be pulled out like old in the sprns
of the year. saw one fellow puuging along the mu'
up to his knees when suddenly he brought up at tul
length in the mud nearly disappearing in the filth,
compound Well said be cooiiy "if just bad THE
days fations i'd lie here till it sorer dried out" TheE
is nothing like the patience endurance and good naur
of soldier when you get him in a hard place. Pu
him in camp with plenty to eat and nothing to do an
be quarres and complains constantly Pus him in sue
situation as | have dst described, or place them
front Of the enemy, and it s astonishing how bravei
, and patiently they behave When we had marche
abo2t or miles, the soldiers lighted up torches ro
the fat ghtwood which abeunds in this region and sc
lire to the tQrpeutne trees lighting up the whole eoa'