The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-02-23

the hne or TailrDad COMMUNICATION between New
bern and Morehead City, and preventing rein
forcements from being sent to the relief Of the for
mef place from the latter. The expedition
sisted of the 18th n. 9. Regt, Lieut.. Col Jno c.
Lamb, commanding; the 42nd Rcgt, n. g. T.,
Col. John Il Brown COMMANDING Captain Paris'
(Virgna) Battery of Artillery, and Capt Ellis
Battery of Maj. j. w. Moores Battalion. of Artill-
cry; and two C4mpanies-of Cavalry-Capt Harris
and Capt. Harland-the latter from South Caroli.
na
The expedition moved from Wilmington on the
18th ult, and made an average march of twenty
miles Gay over heavy sandy roads at this end of
the hne aud deep muddy ones at the other. No
remarkable incident occurred until our forces ap-
preached the enemy's lines, when General Martin
disposed bis forces follows: An advanced guard,
consisting of all the cavalry, three companies of
infantry, and one of artillery, thrown forward
to 'feel" the enemy-tbe cavalry being uuder the
immediate command of Lieut. Col. r. j. Jefords,
9th S. g. cavalry, and the whole unGor the com
mard of Col. George Jackson. The rest of the in
fanry and artillery under the immediate supervi-
sion of the Commanding General On nearing the
first pickets Of the encmy and discovering them
the alert, the cavalry dashed furiousy forward,
and the Yankee pickets (twenty five or thirty in
number) retreated as fast as their horses would
carry them The soad which pursuers aud
pursued had to pass through swamp, and
full Of deep holes overhowing with mud and water.
But on they sped--some of the Yunkee horses
and their riders turning somersets in the mud, and
ours running over them, and tunlbiing headlong
into the deep mire after them, inficting> many
bruises upon men aud horses (breaking the neck
of one of the latterl but doing no serious damage
TO the riders. 1t at this point that Lieut.
Muse, of Harris cavalry, while CALAMITY leading
the charge, fell mortally wounded by a pistol shot
from Yankee who was being hotly pursued.
Having captured portion and dispersed the rest
Of these outpost pickets the column moved for
ward and soon came to trading post of the Yam
kees-but the enemy had fed in the direction of
blockhouse some half mile disant-pickets and
reserves. The march was continued and prepara-
tlons made to storm the work, but a close exami-
nation disclosed the fact that the position had
been evacuated by the enemy 10 such hot haste
that they left their provisions, books, letters, &c,
behind them: Continuing the march for two and
half miles further, second blockhouse was dis
covered, and our forces brought to a stand
by shot from six FOUNDER which went whizzng
over their heads. No one knew the strength of
the plaee-how much infantry or artillery consti-
tuted the garrison. 1t was easily discovered that
it a well-built, thick walled house, surround
ed by crcumvsllation of earth works.
After a shell or two from Capt Ellis Battery,
1t at once determined by the commanding
General to attack the place with infantry.
Capt Biggs, Company A, 18th Regiment, was
directed to throw his men forward skrmishers,
and feel the strength of the enemy. With the
alacrty of volunteers and the steadiness of regu-
lars, they advanced across the open field, in the
face of the discharges from the six-pounder and
small When within about two hundred
yards Of the block houses, Capt. 3. ordered his
men to charge the works They responded with
yell Which rang out amid the volleys of musket-
ry. Ii was but the work Of but a moment. The
Yankees broke and run for their lives, A beauti-
full SIX FOUNDER cannon, number OF rifles knap-
sacks, clothing, commissary stores, &c, were cap
tured here, besides few Yankees who were not
quick enough in getting away. One killed and
one wounded No loss side. Lieut.. Has
sell, of this Company, acting Brigade Ordnance
Officer, On Gen. Martins staff, when his Company
was thrown forward, by permission of the General,
rejoned it and participated iu this gaant charge.
But the principal work of the day was still to be
done. Newport Barracks--a sCroDg fort-was
four miles beyond, just the railroad, and the
Yankees were falling back in that direction.
Just as our forces were emerging from dense
wood into an open field, they were admonished by
a she'll from six.pounder Parrott gun that the
enemy were about to contest their further ad
vance.
Our artillery returned this compliment in gallant
STYLE and the General directed the infantry to
form int line of BATTLE the whole being uader his
immediate eye,
This Was quickly done and the order to move
forward responded to with alacrity api spirit In
an unbroken line, they advanced upon the enemy
amid the shot and shell of their artillery. When
about half way across the field, the order TO charge
was given, and our brave boys bounded forward
with will.
The enemy, about 1900 strong had greatly the
advantage of position, being protected by the un-
derbrush and woods on the other side of the field
But no matter On pressed cur brave boys with |
d yell Of the widest enthusiasm. As they ap- |
preached the enemy, the mnsketry became anima-
ted on both sdes-rapid and continuous; bu, the I
enemy continued to give ground aud fall back in
the direction Of the fort, closely pursued by our
forces.
After driving them through the woods, and
over the field intervening between our troops and.
the FORT the enemy opened US with 90 poun-
der from the fort; Capt. Paris delivered few well
directed shots at them fran his IL pound Napol-
cons, when the Geuf raj determined TO assault the
works with infantry. Skirmishcrs were thrown
forward, bat on their appearance, the enemy, hav-
ing previously get fire to all the buildings, eyacua-
ted the place, set fire to the Railroad bridge, and
tore up the county bridge over Newfart river, to
prevent pursuit 1t was night, and after /
running fight of six hours, over tie distance of /.
ight miles, our gallant troops were in possession
Of the ield-the enemy flying for ife Altogeth-
er our troops captured seven pieces of artillery,
several hundred stand of arms, two hundred boxes
Of ammunition, about seventy -fye prisoners, six
slaves a dozen horses and can,missarv storns