The battle at Newbern--Authentic particulars.
We had an interview last evening with
Capt. Edept, of Company ‘"B."’ 1st Maryland regiment, who arrived yesterday from
North, Carolina, on official business.
It will be remembered that the gallant company commanded by
Capt. E., after re-enlisting for the war, came to
Richmond from
Manassas on furlough of sixty days, about the time of the surrender of
Roanoke Island, and that every man at once relinquished his furlough and proceeded to
North Carolina, to aid in resisting the advance of the
Federal army into the interior.
They were stationed in Fort Allen during the time of the fight at
Newbern, and rendered efficient service.
The following particulars are furnished by
Capt. Edelin, and may be relied upon:
The enemy, with fifty-six gunboats, approached
Newbern on Wednesday, and dropped anchor for the night some twenty miles below the town.
Early on Thursday morning they were reinforced, and commenced landing troops below Fort Dixie.
They then approached opposite
Fort Thompson and opened fire from the boats, which was kept up until night.
The force in this fort consisted of two companies of
North Carolina troops, commanded by
Captains Whitford and
Herring.
The loss during the day was four men wounded.
On Friday morning, the 14th, the
Yankees commenced the attack upon our lines at seven o'clock, and were repulsed three times successively by our infantry, with the assistance of
Fort Thompson.
The fight lasted till ten minutes past 10 o'clock A. M., when the enemy flanked our forces on the right, which caused a panic amongst the militias.
Captain Latham's battery sustained a loss of twenty-seven killed, and all the guns were-captured.
During this period, Forts Allen and Ellis remained quiet.
The fleet then approached within point blank range, when
Capt. Edetin received orders from
Col. Lee, (the second in command of the field,) to evacuate his position in Fort Allen, a casemate battery.--
Capt. E. opened on the fleet, sunk one of the gunboats; and crippled three others.
Col. Lee then told him to retire as quickly as possible, which order was obeyed, and the men were safely landed on the other side of the river.
Before retiring, however, the
Maryland boys blew up the magazine and destroyed the guns.
Captain Mayo, who had command of Fort Ellis, also blew up his magazine and dismounted his guns, but lost one of his eyes and had a leg broken by the explosion.
It is supposed that he was captured.
All the batteries on the river were under the immediate command of
Col. Crossen.
In the attack upon Fort Allen twenty-six gunboats were engaged.
The prompt fire of the Marylanders put a stop to the chase up the river and protected the retreat.
Our loss will not exceed 500 killed, wounded, and prisoners, while that of the enemy was acknowledged to be 1,200.
The statement that the enemy commenced shelling the town while the women and children were running about frantic with fear, is confirmed.
All the cotton in the place, with most of the
Government stores, and several houses, including the
Washington Hotel, were destroyed by fire, in pursuance of orders.
The
Gaston House was not burnt, and
Gen. Burnside now has his headquarters there.
Col
Campbell, who was reported killed, returned safely with his regiment to
Kingston on Sunday; also,
Col. Vance.
Our army arrived at Tusen in good order.
The
Maryland company lost but one man —
Andrew O'Nell — who was sick at
Newbern and taken prisoner.
The enemy's attacking force is variously estimated from 20,000 to 25,000.
