The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-02-12

Kussros, \. c.. Feb 9.


when the baislc actually began, a)thossh radon
shots had been heard fog an hssr - lasse. Il was
very dark aad foegy, with svssy tsssSsct Of rais.
When daylight came the artillery epsasd In good
earnest, sad roared through ~ woods spitefs'
greetine 70 the toe, while every - Gemsats rapid
irc of musketry rassied aioss ihal lHs. Lying upon
small island, or boats hsuisa ~ radss the tali
ssdse aaa srass which friassd - bAak, bivouac
fires smouidsEiag enough - sive - a iittie
warmth, without showing smoks to the saemy-
wearfed and worn by nights of hard work and
wakefslness, the men lay and sispt or listened 10
the noise Of the fight Pickett dseye the Yankees
before htm. Nearer sad nearer grew the battle,
until It was abreast or us-bsyeeA us-and we
heard the guns Of the fofti6casloas open upon the
victorious advance guard. Basselosfs creek, .
small, deep, and tortuous stream, ssns across the
country few miles above Ncwtesu, and finally
empties into the Neuse. Some Ave Or six miles
from the town the railroad crosses Il, while still
fartner b the Trent road, leading towatds Kins-
tom. Al this point the Yankees had erected formi-
dable neld works, and beside them STRONG block
house. Here were their reserves, living securely
ia pleasant encampments, and beyond, pushed out
three or four miles, the advance.. So quietly had
Gen Pickett managed bls troops, the enemy was
entirely without knowledge Of si.e approach ofaay
3ay of men, atshoagh the pfoHiahsy Sf the piekets
told them the COnfederates were pushing upon
them. Some fou, miles beyond Bachelors bridge
the fight began. Struggling shots were fired about
two in the morning, but Pickett held back until
daylight, when he turned loose upon them, and be-
gan .driving them" In Stonewall jackson style.
Retreaiing into the fortifcaons across the creek,
they made fierce stand, and opened heavy fire
from the block house and the works. No use, how
ever; for, advancing steadily up 10 them until
within easy distance, Hoke and Cilngman carried
the forts in fine style, and scattered the Yankees
in every direction. Then came a race. Gen.
Pickett pressed close upon them, and kept them
moving towards the railroad, where another re-
serve had been drawn up to await his approach.
Here, too, was a railroad battery, which, mount
iog some heavy guns, had been run out from
the town. Driving the Yankees across the
embankment, battery was sent down TO
engage the Iron monster, md in few mo
ments IL was driven back, aud the rails tom
up to prevent another advance. A sharp fight
now occurred; but In u short time the enemy was
forced reireat their line broken, and Pickett had
them on the race. Following close upon them,
pouring the shot into them whenever they endea-
vored 10 fo,m. our troops pressed them into lun,
aud for a few miles they made 'amaZing tracks,
to get under cover of the guns of the forts built
around the town. Regiments became dsorganzed
and scattered thI Ough the woods, and men and Of
ficers with the shout of fssduue g,si pent," threw
away knapsack and rifle and ran for their lives.
BY thlec In the evening the enemy had taken shell
ter within the fOflfcatiOns and stood awaiting the
anticipated attack upon the town ; but struggling
bands were found scattered through the woods,
and were every moment being brought In by our
men.
During ali this brilliant little affair only two bri
gades were engaged. Gen. Barton, with the pick
troops of the division, had been sent 10 the south
side of the Trent, and his approach was looked for
with great anxiety. Gen. Pickett listened ahxiousy
fer the sound Of his guns, expecting every moment
10 hear him open upon the town ia the rear but
the day wore away and nothing was heard from
him; evening came on, aud still no news. Just
across the Neuse, hardly three quarters Of mile
from Newbern, WIS Fort Anderson, and this, to
prevent the garrison assisting In the fight, and also
10 keep reinfOrcements from coming on from
Washington, had been closely invested Col. Dear
log, with brigade Of infantry, three battaliOns Of
cavalry and two batteries Of arltlery had com
pletely surrounded 1t, and kept the men under
arms, expectantly waiting an attack. This, how
ever, was almost impossible from the land side /;
for the place was remarkably strong, the fort IA
feet high, mounting IL guns of large caiibre, with
ditch from to feet deep and l2 feet wide The
garrison, under Col. Anderson, was composed OF
500 infantry, with some heavy artillery. The most
that Could be done to keep this force engaged,
aud ut the same time 10 threaten the Washington
road to prevent reinforcements. This Col. Dear
ing accomplished
For some two miles around Newbern the forest
had been cleared and the guns OF three large forts,
together with two parks Of field artillery stationed
In the town, had a clear sweep, and would have
played havoc with our advance. Evidently the
attack must come from the rear. Night was fast
coming on; and still no news of Gen. Barton. Just
AS the sun was sinking behind the tree tops word
was bi ought that the enemy was endeavofing to
make a demonstration ON the extreme right. Gen.
Pickett was standing under tree, in full sight OF
the town and its foriicat0ns, his staff lying upon
the ground around himrlooking anxioasly towards
the Trent, twiling his sword knot around his email
white hand, or, as II in perplexity. fastidiously
biting his finger nails. | knew he was thinking O
Barton. Just then rode up the soldier Hoke, and,
dismountihg, explained the movement on the right.
forts, some cavalry, artillery and Infantry had ad
vanced, but the cavalry had been easily repuscd BY
his pickels, and the whole column had halted
'sThey must be driven back" said Gen. Pickett;
ing up, "with my own brigade" and vaulting into
the saddle he rode away. Half an hour afterwards
we heard the rumble Of artillery towards Newbein,
and knew the Yankees were retiring. When the
set the enemy was confined within their foFti-
6eatiOns; but still no news from south Of the
Trent. Gen. r. looks more peTplexe ed than ever,
and twists his sword knot more rapidly, and bites
his nails persistehtly: Presently he disposes Of the
troops for the night and turns away from the held
As he passes the tired soldiers who have fought all
day rise 10 greet him, smiles cover their dusty
faces, caps wave, and we know that hearty cheers
would follow bur for the proximity of the enemy.
The days fight was ended. Still, as the day
light fingered, small bands Of prisoners were
brought in until between l80 and 800 had been col
lected, and tho whole pu. on the route to Rich
mond. Besides the prisoners was some artillery,
several wagons, quantity Of stores, together with
sundry piles OF private baggage. And this Is all l
know about the battle. What occurred south of
the Trent do not know, and do not care to speak
from hearsay or to draw any inferences The con-
duct Of Gen. Pickett, HOke, and Cllngman, won
my entire admiration, and think all will concur
as far ~ affairs were pushed. The loss was very
small on our side. IOi. Shaw was killed on the
field, and Gen. Ciingman slightly wounded.--
'sThirty- Ave." believe, Ia number which will
cover all casualties.
When night came, as said In my previous let
ter we made preparations tO 70 again In search Of
Yankee guab0ats, and this time through recon
n0issance In the evening, the position Of one was
marked. The other had gone higher up the Trent.
About II O'Clock we dropped down the stream,
and pulled TO where the river wldeaed into IN eS-
tuary just OF the town, the lights Ut which twiak-
led through the dark. The stars were shining
brightly, and the first blush Of the rising moon be
gan 10 appear. Winding down In two loLg black
lines for another half hour, the boats were again
brought alongside for praycrs-instractlon were
issued, and once more we were on the way. Pull
ing around into the Treat, Captain Wood arranged
the boats In two divisions opposite the uader-
writer,' whose lights were now Visible, and each
was Instructed to board In its own position, one
forward and the other an. Five bells struck as we
were gradually nearing the side, and soon followed
the watchnlans call repeated again AZ he spfansthe
rattle which summoned the men 70 quarters. We
were then upwards Of four hundred yards away
Yankees clipping the ilnes aud giving her
. tsm ahead. Lieutenant Loyaii's boat
was first at the slde, just aft the wheelhouse,
then came Capt Wood amidships, Will forward
came up Lisuts. hose, Kerr, Gardner, GOODWIN.
- Au ~