Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

It is said that the enemy was piloted through a swamp on our left by a mulatto; at any rate, they were piloted by somebody who knew the country, and there is not wanting suspicion attaching itself to some white person or persons. The artillery companies behaved well. Of course our heavy guns had to be abandoned, and some of our field-guns also. Latham's battery is said to have worked great havoc among the enemy. Bremen's battery lost some of its pieces, as did Latham's. We believe the horses were killed.

The all-sufficient explanation of our defeat was, want of men. With the militia, they outnumbered us nearly five to one; leaving out the militia, they outnumbered us nearly six to one. After Sinclair's regiment left, those who bore the brunt of the battle were outnumbered fully seven to one. That, under these circumstances, we could hold our position permanently, was not in the range of possibility. Whether it was worth while to make a fight at all, with such a disparity of force, is a question.

The railroad-bridge across Neuse River, was riot burned until all our troops had crossed, except those whose escape had been effectually cut off by the Yankees. The railroad-bridge is said to have been an elegant structure, and of a most substantial character. It was burnt by a raft, upon which were piled two hundred barrels spirits of turpentine and one hundred and fifty bales of cotton. The torch was applied, and the raft set adrift, and in a few moments it lay alongside the piers of the bridge, and the costly fabric was wrapped in flames from end to end.

The turnpike-bridge across the river was also burnt by our forces.

The Gaston House, the Washington Hotel, many churches, and the greater portion of the town, is in ashes. A lad, who left Friday night, and reached Petersburgh yesterday morning, says the Yankees were busily engaged in endeavoring to check the progress of the flames, and it was thought that some few houses would be saved, at least enough to shelter the demons who have invaded the place.

All the cotton, about two hundred bales, and one thousand five hundred barrels of rosin and turpentine, besides naval stores, were destroyed.

The theatre, it is said, escaped destruction. Here the Yankees secured about twenty-five kegs of gunpowder, which had been stored there for the manufacture of cartridges.

The steamer Post-Boy was destroyed by the confederates, but the Albermarle, with a schooner in tow, loaded with commissary stores, was taken by the gunboats of the enemy.

It is said that Burnside sent in a couple of officers, under a white flag, to declare to the people that they would not be molested, nor would their property be interfered with. It was stated, however, that all soldiers, or other persons, found with arms in their hands, would be arrested.

The Daily Progress office falls into the hands of the enemy; but the proprietor, Mr. Pennington, had thrown all the type into pi, and so disabled the press that it could not be used.

Seven trains left Newbern for Goldsboro Friday forenoon, all crowded to overflowing. A shell from the enemy's gunboats fell within twenty-five feet of the last train as it moved off.

All the rolling stock of the railroad was saved, and but few persons remained in the town. Women and children were overtaken by the trains many miles from Newbern, some in vehicles of various kinds, and many on foot. The people, with but few exceptions, say they prefer death to living in Newbern under Yankee rule.

The obstructions which had been placed in Neuse River gave the Yankees no annoyance whatever. They had skilful pilots, and threaded the channel with as much facility as our own boats.