Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-28


array more than half an hour wnen tne
noiso from the approaching traun was
heard. All hands were on the qlii viye
Tho artiNerists quickly came to their
most 10 the guns, and patiently waited
the turn OF events. The train soon came
into sight. and, as II got I'm range OF the
guua firing was opened upon IL, put'
being protected by an embankment no
DAMAGE. so far as could be seem was
done TO the cars, nor were any Oh inc
soldiers killed or wounded.
As the train Numbered by, going Mt
rand rate OF speed, the infantry aDoaru
opened fire on the southerners' anu, az
though the bullets few thick ana iast'
not an artillerist or horse received d
wound.
Just at this point It might not be out
OF place TO say that. had the olhcer III
command Gas he was requested 10 uo)
permitted one or two of the guns 10 nave
taken up position in the ROAD where
fair sweep could have been nao at the
moving train. IL is believed Dy survivors
Of that engagement that the train Would
never have reached New Berne, but
would have been brought 20 standstill'
and the train. with fits load OF infantry
particularly the latter, brought back az
prisoners.
The section OF artillery from the block
fort and the train. having gotten safe
~ into the town. the next move or the
Confederates was TO make foIwald
movement on that place. The guns We're
llmbered up and the infantry brought
into column, and the forward movement
beeun The column moved down the
county road, crossed the railroad
marched Up a slight incine, reacnlng 4
level plateau. on the left OF the ROAD
was seen a small house, from when
foated the yellow flag, symbol or
smallpox. 1t IS needless 70 say a woe
berth was given this place by quick
movement 10 the right
Just before reaching the top OF the IN
cline n member Of the Fayette ARTILLERY
fell I'm with "a ward OF the nation and'
wishing 10 learn something, II possible.
as 10 the status OF things at or around
the town. piled him with a few ques-
tons:
"Good-morning old man"
"Good-morning. boss"
sDo YOU live I'm these partsF
eyes. sir"
ever been to New Berne?" ;
YES sir. Boss. you'ns going to that
town. MT =, ,.o,
want to know ,,,...
0 WHY not?" was asked, as 1t heavily
fortified"
yes, sir" he answered.
Being asked TO describe H. from MS
| description the questioner much pre-
| ferred turning his face toward olo IL
| gipia. and his back upon the town than
| 10 be one Of the number In MAKING 'ne
attempt TO capture 1t. ,,,,,--
This description was as follows: THAT
around the town was a ditch fifteen
feet deep. and as many, II not more
wide: that on the approach OF an enemy
this could be quickly filed with water
The breastworks, which were Oh lhe
most improved kind, and running up on
a line with the inside of the ditch, were
nounfe4 with heavy pieces OF ordnance
Not being supplied with necessary ap-
plIances for crossing such dltch' Vi
scaling such g wall Of sand, II was Wen
known that, even though the breast
works might be reached ana the hoi-
dierv get into the ditch there was not
scintilla Of hope for their escape
Therefors. was It wonderful that the
men. on learning such state or analrs'
much preferred turning back than adj
FIRE OPENED.
1t YVES not known whether the ola
! darIev told tho truth or not; but how
ever that may be, before tho Con1ede-
rates could get in full view OF the Town
8 mfr Of smoke was seen TO rise, ana
ere the sound from the gun reached the
| ears OF the soldiers heavy shot
yylrlZzed over their heads, the same seem
| ing TO warn the boys in gray not 10
approach any nearer.
And they didn't, either. There was
sudden malt, and not many minutes
| elapsed when the command 10 counter
march was given, the southern soidieIS
retraced their steps. recrossed the raI-
road. and went into camp among the
stumns which they had left but short
while ago. Remarkable 1t may seem
| vet nevertheless Il IS true, that while
! they remained in that section they were
NOT ruolestel or harassed by the enemy.
] AS night approached there was a
! heavy guard mounted around the camp
and the men. feeling perfectly secure.
/ yranped themselves I'm their blankets,
/ stretcbed themselves out on old Mother
! Earth. and soon fell asleep and enjoyed
/ that which was so much needed TO ths
BODY. n night Of refreshing slunDer.
! The camp was aroused early the next
| morning. and tho men being greatly re-
freshed from the labor and fatigue or
/ ths dsv before. started in to prepare their
! breakfast from such stores as was pro-
vided bv the commissary department.
During the morning the general COM
maudjng had learned from some source
| that ct a block-house at the junction
/ OF the Washing and New Berne roads,
a place called Beech Grove, there was
| A section Of artillery, and the Confede-
| rates being between them and New
| Berua there was no chance for them
| TO get 10 that town. Here an oppor-
tunity presented itself TO get something
as a trophy, beyond the capture OF Colo
mel Fellows, his Adjutant, and his or
Derby, for the trip 70 that section. AND
II will be noted further on that II was
something beyond the ordinary the eA-
traordluary that took place, and when
was not down on the programme.
The general commanding was deter
mined TO have that section or the arul'
cry and 10 that end orders were hastily
given TO the Fayette Artillery. StriD-
bling's Battery, and the Thirtieth Vir-
ginia Regiment Of Infantry TO prepare
10 march. In a short time all was IN
readiness, and the commands moved. The
march was IN o different direction, anc
on a different road from that which they
had moved in on the day before. Having
covered but a short distance from tht
camp, the infantry was directed to take
the woods on the right and left of the
! road. while the artillery was compelled
TO traverse that thoroughtare. After
marching several miles the artillery
reached an open country on the right
which proved to be a very large farm
There was a large farmhouse, and Il
reach this they had TO march down a
wide lawn. Before the turn into this
lawn was made, ahead OF them was seer
a fort; soldiers were observed walking
i Z =. A..AaL L..