The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-08

Unarmriier~ebeis Mosing o.. Ea.Hi ~ tone
ana ffymonsh-Capf"re of Nescpors.
FORTRESS MONROE, Feb. s.
The steamer Washington Irving arrived last
evening from Newbern, N. c., with dispatches
| to Gen. Butler.
! On the morning OF the 1st, just before the
break of day, the rebels made an assault on
the outposts at Bachelors Greek, eight miles
nom Newbern, which, after desperate strug-
gle, they carried, capturing 20 of our men and
officers. One company of the LIST North Car
DINA white volunteers and q section of An
CELLS battery, in all about 300 or 400 men. are
reported to be in possession Of the Block
House, about nine miles from Newborn, sur
rounded by the enemy, and holding their
ground against vastly superior numbers. They
will, it is stated, be able to hold out several
, days. A force of our cavalry started out this
morning to their relief, but were repulsed in
sight OF Fort Totten and driven back The
rebels are in sight of the city, and can be seen
from Fort Totten by the naked eve mannuy-
ering their troops. Our forces are restngDon
their arms day and night, waiting for the at
tack on the city. The fire companies, togeth-
er with the white and black citizens, are also
under arms, calmly awaiting the approach of
the rebels. Fort Castor, on the south bank
OF the Trent river, still holds out manfuly,
The rebels have established picket station at
ten, and within hailing distance of the CITY,
This morning, Tuesday I'd inst, at O'Clock,
the enemy,in barges, boarded the gunboat I'm
derwriter, which covered a portion of our
Notifications between Fort Anderson and Fort
Stevens, and after terrible struggle she was
captured with her officers and large number
of her crew. Fortunately the Underwater
was aground, and this alone saved her from
being carried off by the rebels who boarded
her and Wbn nnmbarad
sailors from Savannah, Ca, from whence they
brought their barges by the railroad. The
rebels being unable to move the Underwater
from her position, set her on fire, and the
flames soon communicating to her magazine
she was blown into fragments.
NEwBERN, N. c., Feb. ppm.
Nearly two thirds of the crew of the I'm
derwriter are safe. Acting Master Allen and
all the officers of the boat, except the Sd AS
sistant Engineer, are captured. Allen and
large number of the crew, while being con-
veyed away by the enemy in a barge, seized
the officer and his men and came safely into
port.
1t is stated that the rebels are also moving
on to Washington and Plymouth and that they
are receiving large reinforcements. All are
confident that the enemy will attempt des-
perate assault on Newbern tonight.
1t is just reported that our railroad commu-
nication with Beaufort is interrupted by the
rebels.
Brig. Gen. j. n. Palmer, who is now in
command, is making every exertion to receive
the enemy.
Ldtest-Iuesday ecening, o'clock-New-
port is in possession Of the rebels, which cuts
Off our communication with Beaufort This
also gives the rebels the command of the ap-
proaches to Newbern by the Neuse river
should they cross to fortify its banks. The
spirits of our men are good. The impression
is that Newbern will stand a long siege.