Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-12
w ar N Q w s.

the woods where the enemy made bis ap
pearance, was heard during the day, an
all expected an attack at every hour, bu
it came not, and at evening feeling Q
quietness prevailed, which was uot bro
ken until o'clock this morning, wheI
your correspondent was aroused from {
slight slumber by the sound of cannon
and seeing very bright light in the di-
rection of the encampments. first sus
pected the burning of woods or of I
camp. A personal examination showed
US the gunboat Underwater to be ii
flames. II seems that two launches con
tanning so men each, and 10 tenoareC
boats bad been brought TO the Neust
river from Wilmington, N. c., and al
manned by sailors in the rebel navy, or
dered from Wilmington and Charleston
for the purpose of this attack. These
boats had been kept closely moored il
shore at short distance up the river
where it is very easy to conceal any boat
of small dimensions in the many little
creeks and behind the numerous islands
which are found in the river. Boats had
been sent up to discover the truth OF
falsehood of rumors Of the presence Of
these boats, but passed by the place oil
rendezvous, as is now supposed, in the
darkness of the night. The boats of the
enemy moved cautiously down the river,
and by brilliant and sudden movement
boarded the Underwater, and after a
desperate conflict, killed and captured
most of the crew of so men. A dozen
escaped by swimming ashore, the boat
being anchored within a stones throw OF
the shore. The officers, Capt. Wester-
welt being in command, were all captured
and are supposed to be on their way 10
Richmond Five of the boarding crew
were left on board by accident when the
enemy's boat left, and shell from Fort
Stevenson setting fire to the gunboat,
they swan ashore and were taken 10 the
provost marshal's, where they conversed
freely and expressed much disappoint-
ment because they were not able to hold
the steamer and use her against the 9th
err boats in the harbor. They had been
confident Of a great success in destroying
all our navy steamers and transports
The enemy's boots accomplished all they
did in very short space of time, and
then moved up the river.
The Underwater burned three hours
and then exploded with great noise and
with splendor,- brands being thrown high
in the air, forming a mos. beautiful spec
tacle.
The ATTACK ON NEwBERN.-BoLDI
APPROACH OF THE REBELs.-UNIoN
Loss 400.-The long period of iuaction
in this district was broken on Monday i
LIST, by an attack of the rebels in large
force at Bachelors creek, where the 1921
New York regiment was stationed. We
lad heard rumors for week before of
IN intended attack and of forces concen-
rating at Kingston, but the report which
lad said for so many days that the attack
would be made tomorrow" was believ-
ID by few or none, so that on Monday
when serious fighting was in
progress, all were surprised and were
convinced that the attack was more ear
hest than any other ever made here, and
he result has proved it so.
On Monday at daybreak about 105
men and Is commissioned officers of the
18th Massachusetts and four companies
If the 99th New York were sent out I'M
Ter Gel. Classon of the 1921 New York,
With which force he advanced to recon-
hotter, but the overwhelming force of the
nemy on a flank movement compelled
hasty retreat with much loss. In all
here are killed, wounded aud missing
100 men. Out of the detachment from
he 18th Massachusetts of 105 men and
3 officers, 80 men and officers return
d. One company Of the LIST loyal North
Carolina regiment and one of the 18th
avalry were also captured or cut off from ,
ur lines. The retreat 10 New5ern, a
istance o. about 10 miles, was made iD ,
aste, but in pretty good order, and most I
the force reached the inner fortifica- !
ons by II at noon by the railroad cars, {
le train being constantly shelled and I
red into, but the old iron clad engine +
Monitor" stood the test bravely. During I
lis time the rebels had appeared in force +
n the Trent road, at Buyers creek, and +,
Evans Mills. Surgeon Galloupe, de- ,
ched from the 18th Massachusetts, to d
Ike charge of the small pox hospital E
hich is stationed in sight of Fort Totten Il
ID just at the edge of the woods, was 6,
ptured about noon, while on a visit with =,
70 ambulances to the hospital. :,