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 17^th 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]