Suffolk Christian Sun
April 4, 1862
Page 2
LATE
FROM NEWBERN
The Yankees are
perpetrating their characteristic outrages at Newbern. It would disgrace the columns of our paper
and shock humanity, were we to publish the description we have received from an
eye witness of their seraglios—composed as they are of black and white women. They are making war upon the dead as well as
the living. From the same eye witness, a
reliable gentleman, we learn and are authorized to say that they are actually
robbing the graves in Newbern, having savagely broken open the doors of the
vaults in the cemetery and carried off plates of the coffins. Our information on this bead is sure direct
and reliable.
We learn from the
same source that Burnside is landing a large number of wagons and artillery
from his ships, or lighters, which are now lying beside the wharves. The number of his troops in the town is
estimated at ten thousand. He has thrown
out a detachment to Deep Run, some nine miles from Newbern, on the Trent road, whence his
scouts or pickets extend some nine or ten miles further. A few nights ago the scouts, between 2 and
300, visited Mr. Merritt’s, about 19 miles from Newbern, and while the officer
in command, afterwards ascertained to be a Colonel Edelin,
of the 1st Maryland, at the head of seven members of Capt. Hays’
company of the 2nd Cavalry, called out, “here they are,” fired his
piece and ordered his men to charge. The
charge was gallantly made, and the Yankees put to flight.
Four
of their men being wounded, the Colonel and one of the men mortally. They carried off Mr. Merritt a prisoner, and
afterwards returned to the house, and treated Mrs. Merritt most brutally, one
of the men knocking her down and otherwise maltreating her, and charging her
with having betrayed them. The names of
the men engaged in this gallant little exploit besides Captain Edelin, are Henry Moore, Samuel Brady, D. A. Rogers, John
O’Brian, D.
Panther, A. M. Price and C. L. Kane.
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]
