The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-31
SAVING TIE NATION
Capture of Beaufort and Fort Macon.
Blockade Running.
BY CARLETON"
Written for z i NationaI TfibGne.l
XXXv.



beyond is the town of Beaufort, with a inc
harhor and a railroad running west to New
Berne and on To GoldsborO and Raleigh.
YOa will see by looking at the map that the
Neuse River comes down from the center Of
the State and elnpties into Pamlico Sound.
You viii also SIC that Gen. Burnside and
Admiral Goldsborough, who, as we saw in our
last letter, had captured Roanoke Island, could
sail into Pamlico Sound, which would place
them i'm position 10 attack the Confederate
army which was gathering at New Berne. 1t
would bring them ia rear OF Beaufort and Fort
Macon, which commands the hsrbOr of Beau
fort. Before North Carolina seeded the Gov
ern0r of the State took possession of the fort.
great many blockade runners had entered
and departed from Beaufort Gen. Burnside
had received his instructions from Gen. Nc
Cieilan. Thus they read: Having gained
possession Of New Berne and the railroad pass
ing through il, you will throw a sufficient
force oa Beaufort and take the necessary steps
TO rcCuoe Fort Macon and open that port"
THE NASHVILLE
That you may see how important place
Beaufort was TO the blockade runners and what
they were doing FOR the COnfedeTacy, let Us go
over 10 southampton, in England, where the
Confederate war steamer Nashville is lying,
Feb. !, 1852. Near her is the United States
war ship Tuscarora, which has been sent across
the Atlantic 10 watch the Nashville and follow
her the moment she sails. When three miles
from land the Tuscarora is to open fire upon
her. The British war ships Dauntiess and
Warrior are there TO prevent the Tuscarora
from ssiiing till "a hours after the Nashville
departs On Feb. 5 the Nashville, which Was
a fast sailor left southampton. Twenty-four
hours later the Tuscarora was allowed TO de-
part, bnt of course could not overtake her.
While Burnside was getting ready TO move
into Pamlieo Sound, the Nashville reached
Bermuda, which England owned. The British
Government had issued an order that no
American war ship should take coal in that
port. but the Nashville was allowed to fill her
bunkers, and on the 2Sth of February she
slipped past the blockaders and entered Beau
fort with cargo valued al more than g, 900 600.
She staid two weeks taking on load Of cotton,
and then slipped out past the blockaders at
might, while the cannon, arms and ammunition
which she brought Were being whirled through
New Berne to Raleigh and from thence to
Richmond. 1t was TO stop this business that
the feet and army sailed into Pamlico Sound.
CONFEDERATE DEFESsEs.
The River Trent comes from the southwest
and joins the Nease at New Berne. The Neuse
comes from the northwest and is very broad
below the town. Gen. Branch was in com
mand Of the Confederate troops. He built
seven forts on the banks Of the Neuse and
carried from that stream line of breastworks
70 An6 4E6ilt. 1De IOrlllcaIlOnS were TWO
miles from the town crossing the railroad and
the highway. The slaves threw up the redoubts
and there were heavy cannon IN position TO open
upon the gunboats-
THE FORTS.
in Fort Thompson, on the bank Of the Neuse
where his line began, there were Ii heavy
euus; in Fort Dixie there were four in Fort
Brown eight, in Fort Ellis eight, in Fort Low
eight, in Union Point Battery two-in all 45
- l.
getting up 20 the town, old hunks were sunk
il the river and spars with great iron spikes
driven into them 10 pierce the hulls of the gun
boats. Torpedos were also planted IN the
river.
CONFEDERATE DINNER PARTY.
With such defenses and obstructions and
10000 troops Gen. Branch expected TO defend
the place aud keep the Union army and feet
st bay.
Col Estvan, Of England, who was in the
Confederate service WAS sent by the Confeder.
ate Secretary Of War 10 examine the defenses
The Confederate officers mad q jolly dinner
party.
As soon as the champagne went round" be
says, every man present was eager TO make
speech. Gen. Branch proposed toast in honor
OF the Confederacy, after speech of half az
hour. The Colonel of the I'd n. c. Cav. re
sponded De dilated on the matches gal
lEntry of his troops, their proves being such
as 10 throw the deeds of the Greeks and 10
mans into the shade The whole corps wa
ready to die TO the last man. Let US max.
New Borne second Sebastopol, before the walls
OF which the enemy must perish"
"HurrahI Well make it SebastopolI
shouted the company. filing their glasses.
with 10000 troops such as have" said Col
Spell, Il would have taken Seb2stOpol in l.
days and not left one stone upon another"
The wine was evidently getting into thei
heads.
CONFEDERATE FORCES.
Gen. Branch had eight regiments of in
fantry-the 7th 10th, 18th, 25th. 18th, 36th
and 9th n. C.-and two regiments Of cavalry
with sc pieces of field artillery and all th
heavy guns in the forts
THE LANDING AND ADVANCE.
On the morning OF March r. 1862, the steam
srs, with the Union troops on board, ran in 9
near as they could to the shore, Is miles fror
New Berne. The water was shoal and Tia
troops without waiting for the small boats I
be launched, Eaded TO the shore. The
marched along q sandy road in drenchin
rsin. They lay down upon the damp groun
at night, kindling no fires, for they were but
short distance from the Confederate line
They could have no warm coffee for supper {
breakfast.
AT daylight they ate a BIT Of cold beef an
bread, then took their places in line. Ger
Fosters brigade SWING out on the right Of th
road, the 25th Mass leading and taking pos
ticn near the Eense River. Then came IL
Gath Mass, the left Of the regiment reachin
DO the road. West Of the road stood the 27t
and 23d Mass.
Along this part Of the line, on both sides
the road, were placed some boat howitzer
manned by marines and l2-pounder ste
cannon, under Capt. Bennett, Of the gunbo1
Coesack, who had 20 sailors in their blue jacl
cts TO man the cannon.
Capt. Drsyton, Of the gnnbost Highlands
had battery farther 70 the left
Gen. PsTkeE brigade occupied the cente
while Gen. Renos troops fled from Il
road, crossed the railroad, and came into liz
% stack the Confecerates right wing.
The line moved through the woods II
eth Mass was the first to open fire. The
was DO rafting FIRE from skirTnishers, but fiji
the howitzers, then the roar Of the Confedera
heavy artillery, and then the volley Of the ct
with long roll Of musketry from half doz
Confederate regiments.
In few moments all Of Gen. Fosters troo
were engaged except the 25th Mass, viii
wss brought from the extreme right back
ehe road
GEN. REEo'e ATTACK.
Gen. Reno was 70 swing out upon the le
We see the 2lst Mass marching along the ira
1.-THE railroad, making its way through THO
ete and Ewamps, fog hangs over the marsh
and now the smoke Of the battle drifted dol
rpon Reno's troops; so murlKy the air that th
could see but few rods.
"There is battery" said one OF the SIX
IL -, -