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

For the Journal.
An Account OF ths Capture OF Newport Barracks.
WRITTEN A PARTICIPANT.
We commenced forming line of battle about three
miles in the of Newport Barracks the road parallel
with the Railroad between Newberne Beaufort 1t
about O'Clock in the evening Of the End of Feb
ruary. Previous this time several skirmshes had
CURED One at he eneGys outpost, the ether at his
Bockhouse, four miles from shepardsre Both of these
places quickly captured, the former By brilliant
dash of cavalry The latter by infantry aided by
the unerriOg skill of artillerymen. When line of
battle formed the 18th N. c. Regiment, commanded
by COL Lamb, occupied position to the right of the
road the And commanded by Col Brown, to the left.
the stood battery of artillery, commanded
By Capt Ellis. Farther to the left still, several
tachments of iafantry under the Col Jackson,
blood relation "Stonewa." 10 tbs this line
cavalry and Capt Paris battery OF splendid
and Napoleon guns. The entire force, number
a Mexican hero, Brig. Gen. Martin. The was
grand beyond conception, and beggars description Every
loaded every bayonet fixed and every heart ed
With patriotic devotion to his Sunny South Our artillery
had already opened brisk nrs causing the very ground
quake with its deafening thunder filling the air with
the whzzng noise and loud screams of its shot and she'll
The enemy response was by no means lazy or chdike,
Here exhibited Carollnas true spirit the self
and so often evnced upon the crimsoned soil Of the
Srond Old Dominion. That spirit must conquer die
pt eHy Wien Or ras se
along the line, each battalion moved of like much
chipery every part which perfect. Our gallant
troops now advanced for space of three miles,
thinking OF making halt until stopped in the
burning Barracks and deserted Fort of Col
Ripley, with his Green Mountain and New York helings
but feeble resistance, flying before like
before the wind. They scattered TO every
point the compass, and darkness alone prevented the
capture almost the entire Orce they had fallen back
their stronghold and made firm stand the probability
would have been very materially injured but such
their unparalleled cowardce would not allow them
think Of Over their deserted strongho waved
that emblem ooppression, the Stars and the Stripes
This was hauled down. Reader, you know
the fate of slice of bloody meat when thrown to pack
of starving wolves. similar this detested flag
with 1t tramped ia the dust, and torn into thou
sand The fruits OF victory follows
Quantities Of eommissary quartermaster and ordnance
stores, all of camp and garrison equipsge large
number of small armB eight pieces of artillery, and ninety
prisoners. Our loss, six killed, two of whom off,
and about fifteen wounded while that of the enemy
transportation compelled inter dead upon
gaantry and heroism This regretted, for thought
their enbamed in our hearts. We will often
gratitude in conclusion, word for General Mar
Heretofore his alleged faults have often been held
o the public, while his merits were great degree,
obscured His great ability to organize, drill and disci
pne troops and meet the responsibilities OF any shade of
office seldom been called into question: but his
age field has been amply indicated, that he
Of the capture of Newport Barracks achieve
ment decidedly among the most brilliant upon
of the old North State. Let mete out Justice
fall measure and give him his proud appeation-' the
braYest of the baYe.'