Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1864-02-24

10 Newport BarraeKs-ulstahce three
miles. The seven companies of the 9th
who were at the Barra, ks met them about
half way. and severe engagement took
place. Co. H arrived in time to join IN the
melee and fell into line Capt. Gorham
took command of our line Of skirmsh-
ers, and by his coolness and daring brav-
cry won the esteem of every one under
his command.
The rebel columns came on out of the
woods in all directions and with over-'
whelming numbers, pushed the 9th boys
back. inch by. inch, and at last finding
that they could not long hold out against
so great Odds retreated back to the bar
racks which they burned with all the
commissary stores and then crossed the
bridges toward Newport which they also
burned.
The Co. of I'd Massachusetts Heavy
Artillery, stationed at the barracks show
ed the white feather generally, not gun
being fred from the fort Also detach-
ment of the same regiment, stationed in
a small fort at Newport spiked their guns
and left without firing them once.
The rebels had several pieces of artil-
lery. while our boys had but one or two
that were used.
The regiment fell back to Beaufort
by the main road, distance % miles,
where they arrived Wednesday noon, and
crossed over to Morehead City where they
commenced working on earthworks, and
doing picket duty.
The regiment being stationed at so
many different places, were much scatter
ed, and the men came in through Wednes-
day and Thursday, one, two three at a
time. until at this date, some 75 covers
our loss in killed, wounded and missing
Fourteen men are missing from Co. H.,
probably prisoners.
The 2lst Conn. Regiment having ar
rived from Fortress Monroe we once more
advanced up to Newport barracks, on the
9th. and found no enemy present. On
the 9Th, scouting parties were sent out,
some of which had a skirmish with the
enemy at Gales Creek, and discovered a
large force of infantry. two batteries of
artillery ard one regiment of cavalry
On Saturday night our two regiments
we're posted in good positions, but the
enemy advanced from every approach
in such numbers, that it was thought
hest to fall back. which we did i'll the
night toward Morehead City about three
miles. and again advanced to the barracks
Sunday, where we are doing picket duty on
to day. Scouting paitics ale being sent
in all directions but what the result will
be. | know not. We found several graves
in different places, and one dead body
stripped of clothing, and left unburied .
How many of onr regiment were killed,
we do not know. Four of our wounded
were found near the block house, who were
paroled by the rebels, but their wounds
we're unca,cd for. The boys have lost all
their clothing and blankets, excepting a
few who managed 20 hang on to them.
The new recruits at the barracks, were
unarmed the day of the fight, and all of
them fought like veterans.
The number of the muskets iu our
regiment, was not far from 500, those of
the enemy from 5000 to 5000.
Take it all around VIC have had hard
time, especially for new recruits Of which
our regiment was one half or more COM
posed. What the result of the fight was at
New Bcrne, we are unable to know, as
our communications are cut off at present.
The 2lst Conn. is with us.-about 700
and We feel quite safe, or should if VIC
had any artillery, with men who would
not run, to work it.
1t. Holman of Co. G, is missing, and
1t. Bottom of Co. G, is badly wounded,
that think is all the officers lost in the
fight.
Corporal S. NJ. Reynolds, privates A.
II. Cole, L. w. Hovem. |. d. Finnegan
and G. f. Freeman, are all Of the old
members of Co. Fl that are missing.