Suffolk Christian Sun
March 21, 1862
Page 2
CAPTURE
OF NEWBERN
We chronicle, this
week another sad disaster to our arms.
On Wednesday afternoon last week the couriers brought news to Newbern N.
C. that the Burnside fleet was 12 miles below, on the Neuse
river and advancing upon the town. The Newbern Progress of Thursday morning,
which went to press sometime during the previous night, stated that the enemy were in sight and that day would probably decide the
fate of Newbern.
The accounts of
what followed are very conflicting, but we have gathered from different
sources, that which we consider reliable.
The enemy’s
gunboats first appeared in sight, on Wednesday afternoon, at a point known as
Slocum’s Creek, and commenced shelling the woods in every direction. A company of cavalry, Captain Evans,
commander, stationed here as pickets, were forced to retire. Two of his men were wounded—one in the heel.
Thursday the fleet
advanced as far as Fort Dixie, a strong fortification, mounting four heavy
guns, distant from Newbern about 5 miles.
This fort was surrounded by a breast work, and though shelled for three
or four hours during the afternoon by the enemy’s gunboats, was manfully
defended until dark, when the enemy’s fire ceased.
At night the enemy
landed a force supposed to be 22,000 men and by this means cut off the lower
battery from communication with the entrenchments and making the abandonment of
this battery a military necessity. They
shortly after began their attack upon the second battery, which was also
abandoned, and then advanced upon the shore battery, which was situated at the
head of the entrenchment. Here our
forces made a stand and the fight began; this battery was arranged so as to
fire both upon the land and river, and contained two 32 pounders. These, together with the light artillery, did
good service.
By some means—that
of treachery beyond doubt—the enemy was informed of the exact locality occupied
by our militia—about seven hundred in number—and upon this point they made
their fiercest attack. The militia stood
their ground pretty well for awhile—indeed as well as could be expected of
militia—but finally gave way, which had its effect upon the volunteers. The latter, however, finally rallied again.
The enemy did not
use their gunboats at all against the batteries for some reason, but simply
followed up as they were silenced.
Obstructions had been placed in the river to prevent their
progress—leaving only a very narrow channel for our own vessels to pass—and it
was thought that they would come in contact with them; but to the surprise of
all they avoided them and came directly up in the channel which had been left
open—thus giving the amplest evidence that they had been informed of what had
been done by us. It is supposed that
they obtained this information from a couple of negroes
who escaped to them the day before the fight.
The fight
continued for some time. Finally the
Federals possessed themselves of the point occupied by our militia, and then
the order was given for our men to retreat, and the cavalry company detailed to
cover the retreat. At first the retreat
was made in good order, but a panic occurring among the cavalry, the regiments
became somewhat disorganized. The
cavalry having passed over the bridge, burned it, and thus cut off the retreat
of two regiments and forced them to retreat into Jones county. This, we presume, gave rise to the statement
that they had been captured by the enemy.
After the gunboats
had passed the batteries and he obstruction in the river, they lay alongside
the wharves and threw shells into the town.
These shells were directed at the cars filled with non-combatants—women
and children—not a soldier among them—and this fact, it is stated by those who
ought to know, the Federals were not ignorant of.
Our forces
numbered about forty-two hundred, including the militia, and were commanded by
Gen. Branch. Of this number some eighty
were killed and one or two hundred wounded.
The number of prisoners taken is not known and is hopefully not very
large. All the horses were killed at two
batteries of light artillery, and all the gunners. The wounded were all recovered, and have been
removed to Goldsboro,
where they are represented as being cared for.
All the cotton,
naval stores and provisions at Newbern were fired before the place was
evacuated.
After our troops
had crossed the Railroad bridge, it was fixed by them
and burned. The shells set the town on
fire in several places, but the fire was extinguished by the [rest of page
unreadable]…..and the press disabled by Mr. Pennington’s order, before being
given up, and a latter account says the building was burned.
Hundreds of women
and children escaped on the cars, and a boat loaded with women and children
were fired upon many times by the inhuman wretches.
The steamer Post
Boy was destroyed by us, but the Albemarle
with a schooner in tow, was captured by the enemy’s gunboats.
We have seen no
account, but hope those gunboats, nearing completion at the Ship Yard of Thomas
Howard Esq., were destroyed. Mr. Howard’s
Ship Yard was in the vicinity of the Gaston House, and probably the boats were
burned.
Nearly all the
rolling stock of the Atlantic Railroad was saved.
A dispatch from Wilmington on the 17th
says:-- Further details of the battle at Newbern have
been received. The reports vary very
materially as to the particulars of the affair.
Apparently those most reliable assert that our forces engaged consisted
of five skeleton regiments of infantry, a few companies of artillery, and a
battalion which came upon the scene of action in time to help cover the
retreat. The enemy was 22,000 strong,
provided with formidable field gunboats on the flank and formidable field
batteries in front, with a heavy reserve.--Our entire force is probably
over-estimated at 5,000, yet they held their ground in the face of great odds
for full five hours.—The militia gave way first, and retreated. Our loss in killed and wounded is estimated
to be between 100 and 150. The Federal
loss is variously stated at from 500 to 1,000.
The only troops engaged on our side were North
Carolinians. Col. Avery and
Maj. Hoke were both killed. Col. Haywood was not killed, as at first
reported. A flag of truce has been sent
down, and is expected to return soon, when a full and correct report of the casualties
will be obtained.
A Federal officer
captured, says the loss of the enemy was very great, and citizens who left
Newbern after it was captured, say that the Federals represent their loss at
thousands.
The Regiments of
Col. Z. B. Vance, Avery and Campbell it is said fought with great desperation.
Capt. Latham’s
battery of six guns was lost and many of his men killed. Capt. Brannin’s
battery of 6 guns was also lost.
The Raleigh
correspondent of the Petersburg Express, says that Gen. Gatlin who had command
of all the forces in the vicinity of Newbern has been ordered to Richmond for
an investigation of his conduct.—A dispatch from Wilmington says he was at
Goldsboro, indisposed during the fight, but common rumor says he was drunk.—We
hope he may be able to show that rumor does not speak truthfully.
Anything received
later will be appended.
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]
