The New York Herald Newspaper, March 20, 1862, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 9322. "IMPORTANT FROM FLORIDA. The Peninsular State Restored to the Union. Ihmportant Operations of Com- modore Dupont. Occupation of Jacksonville and 8t. Augustine. cAMP BRAN The Stars and Stripes Floating All Around Florida. Bee x NEWBERN’ OFFICIAL REPORT OF COMMODORE DUPONT, at de, &e, be. pe Ap\= 70 Volun.ary Surrender of Fort Macon, St. Fy Augustine and Jacksonville, Florida. RA ‘Wasurxaron , March 19, 1862. Bespatches. received at the Navy Department from Flag Officer Dupont, announce that the fiag of the United Biates floats over Fort Macon, af St. Auggstine, Florida, The town was surrendered without fighting. ‘The town authorities recelved Commander Rogers in the Town Hall,and after being assured that he would ‘Protect the Joyal citizens they raised the flag with their dwn hands. ‘The rebel troops evacuated the place the night before the appearance of the gunboats, This is the second of Yo old forts taken. , Jacksonville, Florida, was also surrendered in like ‘ma.ner. ‘The Governor of Florida has recommended the entire sovacuation of East Florida. Commodore Dupont’s Report. ‘ Fisacsmp Wanusn, we __ Oye St. Avaverins, Fla., March 18, 1862, } Sm—Having on the 7th despatched a division of my force to hdld Brnnawick, consisting of the Mohican, Poca- bontas and Potomska, under Commander Gordon, Ishifted my Gag from the first named vessel to the Pawnee, and organized another squadron of light vessels, embracing the four regular gunboats Ottawa, Seneca, Pembina and Huron, with the Isaac Smith and Ellen, under Licutenant’ Commanding Stevens, to proceed’ without @clay to the mouth of the St. Johns river, cross, sf possible; its dificult and shallow bar, fed! the Torts if still held, and push on to Jacksonville—indeed, * to go as fares Pilatka, eighty miles beyond, to reeon- noitre and capture river steamers. ‘This expedition was tobe by the armed Jaunchen and Cutters of the Wabash, under Lieutenants Irwin aud Barnes, and by a light Graught transport with the Seventh New Hampshire regiment. After arranging with Brigadier General Wright our joint occupation of the Florida and Georgia costa, including protection from injuryto the mansion and grounds of Dungenes, en Camberland Island, originally the property of the Revolutionary hero and patriot General Greene, and ‘still owned biy his uescemdants, and leaving Commander Percival in charge of the naval force, Lrajoined this forms off Fernandina, and proceeded ‘with her off St. Jdhus, arriving there on the 9th. ‘The guaboats hed not yot Leen able to cross the bar, ‘Dut expected todo 20 the next day, the Ellen only getting ‘tm that evening. As ot Mansa, which was visited by Lieutenant Com- manding Stevens, on his way down, the forts scomod abandoned. ‘There Deing-no probability that the Huron could enter, 1 despatched her off to St. Augustine, where I followed her, arriving on the 11th. I immediately sent on shore Commander C. R. P. Rodgers with a flag of truce, having teason to believe that if there were any people on this evest likely to remain in their houses, it would be at ®t. Augustine. I enclose Commander Rodgers’ most fmtoresting report, which I am sure tho de- partment will read with satisfaction. The <Ameri- oan flag is flying once more over tha! old city, raised By the Nands of tts own people, whotresisted the appeals, Greats and falsehoods of their loaders, though compelle:l t? witness the carrying off of their sons in the ranks of the @ying ncmy. This gives us possession of a second na” @honal fort of strength and importance. Bince writing the above I have received by tho Isaac ‘Smith a report from Lieutenant Commanding Stevens, of ‘Bie operations in the St. Johns river, giving details of ~ qreat interest. From Lieutenant Commanding Nicholson I Joarn with wegret of acts of vandalism on the part of the rebel @ommanders (not the people), in setting fire to vast quantities of lumber and the sawmills in that region, @wned by Northern men supposed to have Union sym- WATENS~80K remain in St. Augustine, about one-Ofth of the inhabit- ants having fled. I believe that there are many citizons who are earnestly attached to the Union, a large number who are silently opposed to it, and a still larger number who care very little about tho matter. I think that all the men acquiesce in the condition of affairs ‘we are now establishing. There is much violent and tileat, among the women. seem to mi treason: courage, and have a theatrical desire to gure heroines. Their minds have, doubtless, been filled with the falschoods so industriously circulated in regard to the lustand hatred of our troops. On the night before our arrival a party of women agsembled in front of the barracks and cut down the flagstaff, in order that it might not be used to support the old flag. The men sec! anxious to conciliate in every way. Ther reat searcity of provisions in the place. ‘There seoms to be no money except the wretched paper currency of the rebellion, and much poverty exists, Inthe water battery at the fort are three fine arm: thirty-two pounders of 7,000 pounds, and two eight- Seacoast howitzers of 5,600 pounds, with shot and some powder. Theroarea numberof very old guns in the fort useless and not mounted. Several good guns were taken away some months ago to arm batteries at other harbors. garrison of the place weut from St. Augus- tine at midnight on the 10th for Smyrna, where are said to be about 800 troops, a battery, the stcamer Carolina, and a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition. It is very positively statod that the Governer has ordered the abandoument of East Florida, and proposes to make a stand near Apalachicola. Mr. Dennis, of the Coast Survey, who accompanied me, reudered me much yatuablc aid. I have the honor to be, very reapect- fully, *. R. P, ROLUERS, Commander, ‘To Flag Officer 8° F. Dupont, Commanding South At- Jantie Blockading Squadron, REPORT OF LIEUT. STEVENS TO COM. DUPONT. Usirep Srates Gunoat O1rawa, Ory Jacsonvmiie, March 13, 1862. To Flag Officer 8. ¥. Durowt, Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Sqnadron — Sm—I succeeded in crossing the bar with this vessel, the Seneca and Pombina the day before yesterday about four o'clock, having no water to spare under our keels. ‘TheSmith arrived haif an bour afterwards and crossed without a pilot, and it was necessary to make arrange- ments to land # company of soldiers for the protection of the before Jeaving the entranco of the river. I found it teo late to move up to this place. That evening, near ten o’elock, I discovered largo fires, bearing weat- northwest from ‘the auchorage, which proved to be, on my arrival here, tho burning of mills, houses and proper- ty bolonging to Northern men with suspected Union pro- clivitics, burued by order of tho rebel commander. I loft Mayport yesterday, with the vessols named, for this point, ordering the Kilen to stop at Jobgis Blaffand take on board the gues and rounitions of war at that point, and afterwards to rejoin me here, whieh mission was successfully accomplished. We succeeded in reaching Jacksony illo without difficulty, and at every houre, save ‘one, found evidences of poacoful demonstrations and pathies. returning reason. On ovr arrival at this place u ae prperate sathorities. “throagh eres Bar, Im all this varied and difficult service—ha ritt, Esq.. came of with a flag of truce, an ving o.com | Fave up tho town. From conversation with intelligent tend with surf shores, dangerous bars, and inland nayi. | citizens, I find that the inhabitants are seeking and wen oY te i try—T think it due tothe | Wtitins for the protection of our fag; that they do not ting foar us, but their own people; and from the occupation of this important point I ain Kisfled if our opportuat- @Mficers and men under my command to say that they ties are improved at results will follow. of ‘ave, on all occasions, displayed great spirit and ability, the ettizens have ted, man y Femain, and there ia renon wo jeve most of om will return, it heard fully coming up to my requirements aud expectations. | {he municipal government has beon. restored. Very Very respectfully, STEVENS, rospoctfully, &c., T. H. 7 Lieutenant Commanding, senior officer present, A despatch from Flag Officer 8. F, Dupont, dated March 15, off St. Augustine, contains the following:— Further information from the 8. Johns river is satis. factory « ‘The burning of the valuable mills and lumber, with the fine hotel at Jacksonville, and the house of Mr. Robinson, a Union man, was by order of the rebel Gen. Tra- pior, who, after ingloriously flying with his forcesfromthe town, with every considerable means of devence at hand, sont a large detachment back for this incendiary purpose on discovering that our gunboats had not been able, on their first arrival, to cross the bar. LIRUTENANT RUIND TO COMMODORE DUPONT. o Unrcep STAs STRAMER CRUSADER, North Enero, , 1862. } Si—On the 284 wit. 1 received information that the gnemy was building a battery at Bear Bluif, oppcsite White Point. On thapight of the 24th, accompanied by Lieutenant Prent: ‘ont up in our dingy with three men and landed without being dircovored by the guard. Lieutenant Prentiss and I went up and found tho battery 8. F. DUPONT, Flag Officer. ‘To Hon. Groson Wrrims, Secretary of the Navy. SEFORT OF CAFT. RODGERS TO COMMODORE DUPONT Usrrap Staves Fragen if Orr 6r. Avovsnixe, Fis., March 2 i802. } ‘®Om—Having crossed the bar with some difficulty, in @bedionce to your orders, I approached st, Augustine ‘ender a cag of trace, and as { drew near the city a white flag was raised upon one of the bastions of Fort Macon. Landing at the wharf, and inquiring for the chief suthority, I was goon joined by the Mayor and conducted oe a whero the municipal authorities wore to inform the citi- gens of determination than to occupy thi Jam is at py the town at apprehensions of harsh inan hed state, and, lookin, 'y . Mg about us, discovered Lo pee rl AE pple gdb re the | the mag: round two of the picket guard asleep in it, , oa bite ro J ‘States: thet you had a ot one mu! out from beside thom without awaking them, returned to the boat and brought up two of the men to secure them. In doing #0, I regret to #ay, one of them was shot through the head and instantly killed, the We in my band go ry! accidentally in the struggle. ‘@ Carried both to ti boat and escaped without dis- covery. ‘Tho picket guard that night consisted of fit. ten infantry and two mounted men, in command of alicu. bag . the Fay? mips _ states. Woe buried properly the noxt day noar C Forty-seventh 4 np PR [RrTPoee: ta restore the state of affairs which exis pA el T mercaed the ounicipal authoritiion 80 long aa ree} authority of the go- vernmont we serve, and acted in good Fait, municipal sffairs would be left in their own hands s0 far aa might be consistent with the exigences of the times. The Mayor and Council thon informed me that the place had ‘been evacuated the preceding night by two companies of Florida freon and that they gladly received tho an. iment. His name was Jos, A. Wile @urancon I gave thom, and placod the eity in my hands. | of Company ©, Moore's battalion, stationed at Clicolt Crecommended them to hoint the flag of tho Union at | Flats, The other, now on board ‘or this voent, ia War ence, and in prompt accordanca with the advice, by order of layor, the national onsign was displayed from the flagstail Of tho fort. Tho Mayor propeved to éurnaver tome the five cannon mounted at tho fort, which are ia good coudition and not spiked, and aleo the munitions of war left by. the retroating enemy. 1 @oeired to take charge of hem for the prosent, to 1make earoful inventories and establish a patrol ahd gard informing him that ho would be held responsible for the place nn jl our foreo should enter the harbor. Tf ealled upon the ¢ ergymon of the city, requosting them to reas. suro thete peoric, and to conde fa our kind iiten. Hous towards them, Akout Meena banded persoug M. Kvins, from Raburn county, Ga., of the BY. According to ils account horo’sre two renter ac Church Fints, sending pickets ont regularly to Rock ville Bear Bjuif, and other pointe on the east sito of the river, ‘Thoir men are iljgfed, not paid or clothed, aid hacky treated. Wilson frown Pickens! district, South Caro: ling, Tho muskets we have Wiken from them aro of tha Fafield pattern; have the Tower mark, date 181. Both cartridge boxes coftained Biy's London stamped cart ridgas. Vary respectfally, your obedient servant, A. ©. RETIN SD), Lientenant Comma . To Flog Officer &, F, Derowr, Commanding South Atiactic Blookading Bquadron NEW YORK, THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1862. SCENE OF OPERATIONS OF MARCH 13 AND 14, 1862. Arrival of the Steam Transports Atlenti and Marion. ‘The steam transports Atlantic, Captain O. Eldridge, and. Marion, Captain Jas. D. Phillips, which sailed from Port Royal March 16, consigned to the United States Quarter- maater, arrived here yesterday morning. ‘The Atlantic brought a large number of passengers, among whom are J. W. Sherman and Captain Lodge, of the bark Fanny Ealer, prisoners to the United States Marshal. Her cargo comprises:—05 bales ginned sea island cotton, 805 unginned do., 28 bales Florida upland, 1 mirror, 1 pianoforte, 21 hides, 30 cases of baaks—to Hiram Barney, Collector of the Port of New York. ‘Tho United States steamer MoClellan, Captain A. G. Gray, accompanied the Atlantic to Port Royal bar, to take off a number of invited guests. Signals were ex- changed and salutes fired as the ships parted. No tmportant event had occurred since the recent cap- ture and oecupation of Fernandina, St. Marys, St. Au- gustine and Jacksonville, Florida, by the navy under Flag Officer Dupont, and troops commanded by Genera! Wright, bh; OUR FERNAND!INA CORRESPONDENCE. Fersanpixa, Fla., March 11, 1862. Phe Jacksonville Expedition—Landing at Nassau Inket— Deserted Battery Found—Arrival of Fleet off St. Johns Bar—Transfer of Troops to Gunboats from Transport Boston—Affairs at Fernandina—Reel Officers Taken, de., de. By tho steamer Boston, Captain Johnson, we have in toMigence of the progress of the expedition which left here on Saturday last, to take and cocupy Jacksonville, Florida, a village on the St. Johns river, twenty-five miles from the sea, and about thirty-five miles from here, ac the crow flies. Whon tho Boston last saw the fleet it was off St. Johns bgr, and about to cross it, preparatory to ascending the rfver to the village or city (for Florida is blessed with many cities of smali size and less import- ance) of St. Johns, where we expect to get hold of the railroad, and cut off the lower part of the penmsula from rebeldom. The expedition was composed of the gunboat Ottawa, Commander Titomas H. Stevens ; Seneca, Com* mander Daniel Ammen; Pembina, Commander John Bankhead ; Isaac Smith, Commander Nicholson ; Huron, Comm ander Downes, and Ellen, Lieutenant Budd, with the transport Boston, having on board the requisite mili- tary force. ‘The fleet crossed Fernandina bar on Staturday after- noon, at one o'clock, and etood out towards the Wa" bash, which laid at anchor some miles outside the bar’ On nearing her they were joined by five launches and cutters from the flagship, under the command of Lieu- tenant Irwin, each armed with a Dahlgren howitzer, and manned by a full crew. As the Boston neared the Wa- bash the band of one of the regiments, conducted by Professor Dignam, one of the most accomplished musi- cians in the service, performed the national airs in the most spirited manner, and when tho last strains of the “Star Spangled Banner” had died away the crew of the ‘Wabash sprang into the rigging, and, manning the yards, replied to the refrain in three rousing choers, given with a will, that might have been heard high above the roas of the surf in the sleepy town of Fernandina itself. The commanding officer of the expedition, Captain ‘Thomas H. Stevens, of the Ottawa, was complimented ina similar manner, which was duly acknowledged by the Ottawa's blue jackets manning the rigging and giving three rousing cheers. It was a well merited compliment to Captain Stevens. The fleet was again under way ina fow moments, and after a short and pleasant sail came to anchor off Nassau Inlet, one of the numerous rat holes on the Southern coast. As the draught of water did not pormit the gunboats in, the launches, in command of Lieutenant Irwin, were despatched in. A landing was soon effected without trouble, and a battery found which had once mounted four guna. It had evidently been de- norted but a short time by the rebele, ke ali others on the sea which may be approached by the navy. Lieu- tenant Irwin raised the Stars and Stripes apon {e ram-~ parts, and the United States government iguin Lad por soxsion of another harbor in the rebel realme Mr. Irwin had one hundred sailors in his command, ‘Tho launches having returned, and a report haying beer made, at eight o'clock tho fleet weighod anchor again and stood down the const for St. Johus, which was soon reached, Off the bar were found (he steamors Florida and Keystono State blockading the port, As nothing could be accomplished that night, the fleet came to fnehor to await daylight, In the morning the troopa wore transferred from the Boston to tho gunboats, While lying of 8t, Johns immonse (o..mwne of smoke wore obrerved from the fleet, rising at eoveral pointe from the shores of the river and tie adjacent couptry- * tue Fiver in tho An immonsé body of smoke hwy oy Airedtion of Jacksonvilio, and Jt seemed U) b6 the general Styprestion amoryg the naval ailcers that tho rebel sot giers were applying the tore lo she plantations along THE CAPTURE OF NEWBERN, NORTH CAROLINA. THE BATTLE GROUND OF MARCH 14, 1862. Tiver: and to Jacksonville itself. There is little doubt Dut that the city has been destroyed by the in- cendiaries’ torch, and that we shall find nothing but some of them the very itt ecavaat enenet they are quartered upon for the purpose of defend- and protecting. The le of Fernandina and St. were glad to be well rid of the fellows,even at of receiving Lincoln’s hirelings, as they call r stead. up which cannot be doubted, isnot yet at hand. I hope I shall be able tosond it by the first mail from Hilton Head. Tappend a list of the names of those who died while we lay in Warsaw Sound:— Private John F. Williams, Co. F, died Feb. 8. Private John W. Peck, Co. E, died Feb. 9. Private Geo. A. Barstow, Co. B, died Feb. 12. Private Alphonso Weeks, Co. B, died Feb. 18. Private Horace Dorman, Co. F,, died Feb. Private Geo. Sothergi!l, Co. G, died Feb. Private Danforth B. Bosworth, Co. A, died Feb. 16. COMMIBMONED OFFICERS. Lioutenant Wm. Gardiner , Co. C, Nivety-s8venth Penn- sylvania regiment, died Feb. 1: Lieutenant Wm.'H. Andrews, Co. E, Ninth Maino regi- ment, died Feb. 1 | THE GREAT VICTORY AT NEWBERN. OFFICIAL REPORT OF GENERAL BURNSIDE. His Account of the Battle and the Retreat of the Rebels, Capture of Sixty-Four Cannon, Two Steam- boats, Sailing Vessels, Wagons, Horses, and All the Rebel Munitions. PLANS OF THE BATTLE FIELD A Large Amount of Cotton, Rosin, Turpentine, dc., in Possession of the Union Forces, Ker, Rew ae GENERAL BURNSIDE'S REPORT. Haanquarrens Dararmagyt 0} Norte Carona, Nuwnean, March 16, 1862. 3 General L. Tnomas, Adjutant Genera! United States Ar- my:— Guwxnst—I have the honor to report that, after em- barking the tréops with which I intended to attack Newbern, in conjunction with the naval force,on the morning of the 11th, a rendezvous was mado at Hatteras Inlet. Fing Officer Goldsborough having been ordered to Hampton Roads, the naval ficet was left in com- mand of Commodore Rowan. Early on the morning of the 12th the entire force started for Newbern, and that night anchored off the mouth of Slocum’s creek some eighteen miles from Newbern, where I had de- cided to makes landing. The lsnding commenced by even o'clock the next morning, under cover of the naval fleet, and was effected with the greatest enthu- siasm by the troops. Many, too impatient for the boats, leaped into the water, and waded waist deep to the shore, and then, after a toilsome march through the mud, the head of the column marched within a mile and a half of the enemy’s stronghold, at eight P. M., a distance of twelve miles from the point of landing, where wo bivouacked for the filght, the rear of the column com- ing up with the boat howitzers about threo o'clock next morning, the detention being caused by the shocking con- dition of the roads, consequent upon the hoavy rain that had failon during that day and the whole of the night, the mon often wading knee deep in mad, and requiring a whole regiment to drag the eight pieces which had been Innded from the navy and our own vessels By signals agreed upon, tho naval vessels, with the armed vessels of my force, were informed of our pro. gross, and were thereby enabled to assist ts much in our march by shelling the read in advences At daylight onthe morning of the 14th T ordered an aulvance of the entire division, which will be understood by the esclosed poscil sketch, General Foster's brigad, WATERS ~ SOM ‘was ordered up the main country road to attack the enemy’s left; General Reno up the railroad, to attack their right, and General Parke to follow General Foster and attack the enemy in front, with instructions to sup- port either or both brigades. I must defer for want of time a detailed account of the action. It is enough to say that after an engagement of four hours we succeeded in carrying a continuous line of field works of over a mile iu length, protected on the river bank by a battery of thirteen heavy guns, and on the opposite bank by a line of redoubts of over half a mile in lengthegigr riflemen and field pieces, in the midst of swamps and dense forests, which line of works was defended by eight regiments of infantry, five hundred cavalry and three batteries of field artillery of six guns each, The position was finally carried by a most gallant charge of ovr men, which enabled us to gain the rear of all the batteries between this point and Newbern, which was done by a rapid advance of the entire force up the main road and the railroad, the naval fleet moantime pushing ite way up tho river, throwing their shots into the forts and in front of us. The enemy, after retreating in great confusion, throw. | ing away blankets, kuapeaeks, arms, &c., across the railroad bridge and country road, burned the former and destroyed the draw of the latter, thus preventing further pursuit and causing detention in ocoupying the town by our military force; but the naval force had arrived at the wharves, and commanded it by their guus. I at once ad- vanced General Foster’s brigade to take possession of the town by means of the naval vessels which Commodore Rowan had kindly volunteered for the purpose. The city was set on fire by the retreating rebels in many places; but, owing to the exertions of the naval officers’ the remuining citinens were induced to aid in extinguish- ing the flames, so that but little harm has beeu done. Many of the citizens are now returning, atid we are now in quiet posseasion of the city. We have captured the print- tap press, and shall at once issue a daily sheet. By this vicr tory our combined force have captured eight batteries, con- taining forty-siz heavy guns and three batteries of light ar- tillery of siz guns cach, making in all sixty.fowr guns; two steamboats, a nuniber of sailing wessels, wagons, horses, a jarge quantity of ammunition, commissary and quarter. master’s stores, forage, the entire camp equippage of the rebel troops, a large quantity of resin, turpentine, cotton, Be., and over two hunired prisoners. Our loss, thus far ascertained, will amount to ninety- one killed and four hundred and sixty-six wounded, many of them mortally. Among these are some of ou, most gallant officors and men. Tho rebel loss is severe, but not so rreat as our own, they being effectually cover. ed by their grorks. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the officers and mon for their untiring exertion and unceasing patience in ageomplishing this work. The effecting of tho landing and the approach to within a mile and a half of the enemy’s works on the 13th I consider as great a victory ‘as the engagement of the 14th. Owing to the difficult nature of the landing, our men were forced to wade ashore waist deep, march through mud to ® point twelve miles distant, bivousc on low, marshy ground, in a rain storm, for the night, engage the enemy at daylght in the morning, fight- ing them for four hours, amid a dense fog, that prevented them from seeing the pesition of the enemy, and finally advancing rapidly over bad roads upon the city. In the midst of all this, not complaint was heard: the men were only eager to ac. complish their work. Every brigade, and in fact every regiment, and I can almost say every officer and man of the force landed, was in the engagement. ‘The men are all in good spirits, and, under the circum- stances, are in good health, Tbeg to say to the Gencral commanding that I have under my command a division that can be relied upon iv any emergency. A more detailed report will be forwarded as soon asl receive the brigade returns. The Brigadier Generals, having been in the midst of their regiments whilst under firo, will beable to give me minute accounts. J beg to say to the General commanding the army that I have en- deavored to carry ous the very minule instructions given me by him before leaving Annapolis, and thus far events have been singularly coincident with his anticipations, I only hope that we may in future be able to carry out in detail the remaining plans of the campaign. The only thing I have to regret is tho delay caused by the elo- ments. I desire again to bear testimony to the gallantry of our naval flect, and to express my thanks to,Commander Rowan, and the officers under him, for their hearty and cheerful co-operation in this movement. Their aasist- ‘ance was timely and of great service in the accomplish. ment of our undertaking. T omitted to mention that there was a large arrival of reinforcements of the enemy in Newbern during the en- ent, which retreated with the romainder of the ‘army by the cars and the country roads. have the honor, Genoral, to be your ovediont servant, A. E. BURNSIDE, Brigadier General Commanding Department of North Carolina. Py S.—1 enclose the names of killed and wounded as far ‘as rocolyed. [Published in the Herat of the 19th inst.— Ep, Henatp.) The Third brigade being #0 far distant, i, ie impossible to communicate with it in time for this mail. REPORT OF COMMANDER ROWAN. Usrrep Srares Steamer PuiLapeirmia, Orr Newnmnw,N.C., March 16, 1862, } To Fing Officor L. M. Gonpsnorovan, Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Hampton Roads, Ve. :— ‘S:n—I have the honor to report the capture of all the rebel batterics upon the Neuse river, the complete defent and route of the enemy’s forces in this vicinity, and the oceupation of the city of Newbern by the eombined forces of the army and navy of the United States on yosterday (Friday), at noon, Tho incidents of the expedition, briefly stated, are these:— ‘The fleet under my command, and that of tho army» loft Hatteras Ii at half-past seven o’clook on Wednes- day morning, the 12th fast., and arrived without acei. dent or delay at tho point which had been solected for disombarking the troops, and within sight of th _ of Newbern, at sunset on the evening of the same day, where we anchored for the night. ‘On ihorkday morning I hoisted my pennant on board the steamor Delaware. At half-paet eight o'clock A. M. out gunboats commenced shelling the woods in tho vi. PRICE TWO CENTS, Ginity of the proposed place of landing, taking stations intervals along the shore to flee f ave se troops, At half-past pine A.M. the tr: iin Lng, and at the same tims six naval boat howitzers, the advance of the with their erews, onder the Rs. i we command of Lieutenant BLore, to assist the attack. The army M.ve up the beach at about half- eleven A. M., the deba: kation of troops still continuing, In the mean time our verse's wore slowly moving up, thror shell in the woods boyond, Ata quarter past four P, M. the first of the enemy's batteries opened fire on the foremost of our gunboats, which was returned by them at range. ‘The troops were now all disembarked, and pr he ad- vancing without resistance. At sundown the firing was discontinued, and the fleet came to anchor in position ta cover the troops on shore. At half-past six A. M. on Fri- day , the 14th jnst., we ‘d a continuous firing of heavy guns and musketry inland, and immediately commeneed throwing our shi in advance of the josition supp sed to be held by our troope. The fleet steadily moved up, and graduaily closed in towards the batteries. The lower fortifications ware discovered to have been abandoned by the enemy. A boat was despatched to them and the Stars and Stripes planted on the ramparts. As we ad- vanced the upper batteries opened fire upon us. The fire was returned with effect; the bam 2 zine of one exploding. Having jed in an exten: line os far as the obstructions in the river would permit, the signal was made to follow the movements of the tlagship, and the whole tieet advancert in order, oon- centrating our fire on Fort Thompson, mounting thirteen guns,on which rested the enemy's land defences. army haying with great gallantry driven them out of these defen:es, the forts were abandoned. Several of our vessels were slightly injured in passing the ba-ricaes of piles and torpedoes’ which had been placed in the river. The upper battery having been evyacnated on the appearance cf the combined forces, it was abandoned ani subssqently blown up. We now steamed rapidly up to the city. The enemy had fled, and the place remained in our possession. Upon our approsch several points of the city were fired by the enemy where stores had been accumulated. Two small batteries, constructed of cotton bales, and mounting two guns each, were also fired by them: Two small steamers were eaptured, another hav- ing been burned. A large raft, composed of barrels of pitch and bales of cotton, which had been prepared to send down upon the fleet, was fired, and, floating againat the railroad bridge, set it on fire and destroyed it. In addition to the prizes a quantity of pitch, tar and a gon- boat, aud another vessel on the stocks, several ers afloat, and an immense quantity of arms and muni- tions of war fell into our hands. At about four P. 1 sent several of our vessels to the right bank of the Trens river to carry General Foster’s brigade to occupy the city of Newbern. Jam, respecifully, &., 8. C. ROWAN, Commanding United States naval forces in Pamlico Bound. THE FIRST REGIMENT ON THE REBEL JN- TRENCHMENTS. Puanetenta, March 19, 1862. Sergeant Major Iredell, of the Pennsylvania Fifty-first. writes that after taking the enemy’s batteries on the left of the defences of Newbern, with the bayonet, the Fifty-first was the first regiment to plant its colors io the enemy’s intrenchments. THE EFFECT IN WASHINGTON. GENERAL BURNSIDE’S OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF ‘Wasnixarox, March 19, 1862. Much excitement has been produced here by the parar graph in General Burnside’s official report saying to General McClellan that ho (General Burnside) bad endes- anticipations, and hoping tq be able to carry out if de-, tail the remaining plans of the campaign. “This oMeial’ announcement that General McClellan did actually the Burnside expedition, and that {t is onlya part of plan of the campaign, has fallon like a clap of from a clear sky upon the heads of his slandercrs,and made them as mute as mice. The friends of McClellan are highly elated. They see in this the opening dawag@? ‘McClellan’s triumph over his enemies. THE BATTLE GROUND. ‘Tho battle ground of the fight at Newbern presents ® study for military men, showing the fearful oxposure that our gallant soldiers had to endure. The rebéls, in- trenched behind their heavy fartifications, were almost entiroly protected from our fire, while our men. in their manwuvres, were exposed to a raking firc, without any- thing being before them to protect them from the shots ofthe rebels. The above map shows at a glance the po" sition of the three brigades, together wilh the intrench- mente of the enemy, but it does not altogether give the size of tie field, It being somowhat condensed. The for- tification extends from the river in an almost straight line to the railroad track, where again it meets with @ set of small redoubts and rifle pits. These continue on for some distance until they become lost in the swamps. It is generally supposed that these fortifications extended altogether to a distance of one or two miles, giving a ter, rible advantage to those behind to resist almost any force that could be brought against them. The trees had been cut down for some distance in front of the fort, to aliow a more extended range to the guns, and at the same time to render an attack almost impossible, owihg to the terrible exposure that the attacking party would besub- jected to. A high oven field also fronted’ the batteries, as will be seen in the sketch, so that an advance by any force in a straight direction must be accompanied with a fearful destruction of life. Every preparation was made to render the defence as effective as possible, and nothing but the determined will of our troops ever carried such defences in the face of such overwhelming odds. THE NEUSE RIVER AND THE REBEL FORTI- FICATIONS. Our map of the Neuse river and the rebel forts on the way towards Newbern will be found highly interesting, showing, as it does, the landing point of the troops, the road they followed, the crossing of the railroad and the heavy fortifications, behind which the rebels madé the only stand worth mentioning. The forts along the river are also given in full, together with the obstructions placed in tho channels to prevent the passage of our ves- pels on the way to Newbern. Yesterday we published a fullaccount in detail of these forts, the resistance they made, the number of guns they mounted, and our narrow ‘escape from the torpedoes placed in the river for the de- struction of the fleet; but the lateness of the hogr at which wo received the intelligence vented us from publishing the above maps; we present them to our readers to-day. From landing place to Newbern the distance is foltteen miles, and to the‘heavy batterios it ts eleven or twelve miles. The forts in the river are about half a mile apart, and would have been » most formi- dable gauntlet for the Union ficet to have run, if not a totally destructive one, had they been manned by sol” diers who were not afraid to fight. The vessels eunk consisted of twenty-four sailing vessels, ZF [ ef i is nearly at the head of navigation, on the Neuse river, and isa remarkably pretty little town of about 6,000 in. habitants. It contains a few fine churches, a large bank, some shipping, and transacted business, owing tothe Nerth Carolina Railroad baying @ large depot there. THE TORPEDOES. In our account yesterday of the brilliant suocees of the Burnside expedition we stated that the rebels had planted in the channel of the Neuse river a number of infernal machines, of torpedoes, intended for the total destruction of any vessel so unfortunate as to come into collision with one of them. We give to-day a sketch of ‘one of theso instruments, showing the manner in which they wore made. ‘Three heavy pieces of timber, placed in the position as shown above, at the bottom of which ‘wan placed a box filled with old iron, stones and other heavy materials, waa sunk in the river, and then in- clined forward at an angle of forty-five degrees by means of ropes and weights. This heavy frame was capped by & cylinder of tron, about ten inches in di- amoter. Into this was fitted a shell, which was heavily loaded, resting on a sot Oe ae Gee re on the cylinder woul tantly discharge the ali by means of & percussion cap ingeniously placed. . sable aul ‘eesuing those reeald proanas an in 8 Leer arge, theredy sinking or blowing it up. The loss of life was not of as mach importance to tho rebels as the destruction ‘of our vessele, Wo have already stated that, with the exception of two of ont gunboats, nothing was injured, and even these wee not touched by the machines, our fleet escay thom all, but Ry plain stakes sunk in the river, Quite a- nutnber of Regt me eg Lemp ed bn op =p Troops, ye {igor in tholt manufacture la how in the bands of Gone Tal Burnside,