The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-07-21

rain; and the men sank on the ground at
night around their pitchpine fires to enjoy a
dreuching from the freshly pouring skies.
A dense fog covered lard and water next
morning, March IA, as our fleet, having safely
passed the Instructions. steamed up past
Forts Thompson and Ellis; which, after fir
ing a few shots, were hastily eracuated. a
shell from one of the gunbsats having ex-
ploded the magazine of the latter.
Fort Lane, the last and strongest defense of
Newlern on the water, was more carefully
approached, in expectation Of sanguinary
struggle; but it had Ivy this time been like
wise evacuated, in Difference to the successes
of our army; and our feet steamed directly
ND to the wharves, Smelling the depot and
track whereby the rebels were escaping from
the city.
The rebel defenses consisted of a well con-
structed breastwOrk running mile and q
half from the Neuse across the railroad to an
impenetrable swamp which connects New
bern with Morehead City, with a battery of
I3 heavy guns next the river, several re-
doubts, all of them well mounted, three
batteries of field artillery, and eight regi-
ments Of infantry, numbering abont $500
men, commanded by Gen. Louis OBJ.
Branch. Our guns were few and light be-
cause of the difficulty Of landing and drag
ging heavier.
Gen. Burnside was on the alert at a. m,
and by z had his forces in motion. Moving
up to within short range of the enemy's IN
trenchments, his men were formed in order of
battle, and opened fire along their entire
front; the ground being swampy on the left.
and elsewhere cut up by gullies and ravines
which opened toward the enemy, affording no
protection from his fire. The naval battery
was in our center, Gen. Fosters Brigade on
our right, Gen. Parke's in the center and
Gen. Reno's on the left; and the regiments
most effective at Roanoke were all hoaorably
distinguished here, as were the Attn and 5th
r. L., the 9Th aud 18th Conn.,, 9th N. J. and
| 51st Pa.
There was, of course, great disparity of
numbcrs-not less than two TO one-but this
was in effect contest wherein infantry were
required to charge and carry strong intrench-
ments, well provided with artillery. The
loss was naturally much the greater on our
side After an hours sharp fighting, the
Dist Mass, Col. Clark, accompanied by Gen.
Reno, was ordered forward on adouble-quick,
and went over the rebel breastworks. Twas
Immediately charged by two rebel regiments.
and repulscd; when Capt Fraser. bein.
wounded, was taken prisoner but soon capt
ured his guard and escaped. The 4th r. l.
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