From New York

NEW YORK, May 7.

The steamer Haze, from Newberne of the 3d has arrived.  Noting new had occurred at Newberne or Beaufort since last advices.

Among the passengers on the Persia are Mr. Cameron, Bayard Taylor and Bishop Lewis of Ontario.  She has $800,000 in specie.

Advices received from Burnside’s division state that a regiment of North Carolinians has been organized; Capt. Potter of Gen. Foster’s staff being appointed Colonel. – Two companies of our troops had left for Washington, N. C., to form a nucleus of the regiment.

Large numbers of Union men had voluntarily come and taken the oath of allegiance, and they will be armed an equipped by Burnside to defend their homes against the rebels.

Our troops have captured horses enough to mount two companies of cavalry, and make frequent dashes among the rebels.

Private advices state that Gen. Banks’ army was still at New Market, waiting for forage and provisions.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

From the South

BALTIMORE, Jan. 27. – The Richmond Dispatch says:

“The disaster in Kentucky, and the apprehension it has caused for the safety of our connection with the Southwest through Virginia and Tennessee, by the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, and the possible interruptions of our intercourse with the South via the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad by Burnside’s expedition directs attention to the vital importance of completing the connection between the Richmond and Danville and the North Carolina Railroad.”

Augusta, Ga., Jan 23. – A private letter received from Charleston S. C. this morning says that five stone vessels were sunk in the channel yesterday.

The Savannah Republican of this morning says the statement that Federal vessels and gone up Broad river is incorrect.

The Dispatch contains a statement that the report had reached Baltimore of the loss of five of Burnside’s fleet in Pamlico Sound, and that a large steamboat, probably the Louisiana, had been burnt.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 4

Washington Specials

NEW YORK, Jan. 26. – Washington specials state that Assistant Secretary Fox feels confident the Burnside Expedition has ere this struck a blow which with Gen. Buell’s advance into Tennessee will cut off all rebel communication with Virginia and States South.

Gen. McClellan says if the expedition failed we should have heard of it through the rebels ere this.

The steamer Karnak from Nassau 20th, arrived this morning.  The steamer Kate arrived at Nassau on the 18th, 48 hours from Charleston with 800 bales of cotton, 8 passengers and flying the rebel flag.  The gunboat Flambeau left immediately.  The cotton culture has been commenced at Grand Bahamas.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 4

Signs of Despair among the Rebels

The tone of the Southern press grown more and more desponding.  We observe several recent articles from Southern newspapers which show that hope and confidence are wavering in view of the situation.  It is quite evident that there is a foreboding of the end now apparently near and inevitable.

The Richmond Examiner of the 16th of instance “sees but one chance of success from the net that has been coolly drawn around us, it is to concentrate our energy on one point and cut it through to convert our defensive into an offensive war and transfer the scenes of at least a part of these hostilities to the enemy’s own country.  Situated as we are, it is only possible at one point, and that is Kentucky.”

But since the time when the Examiner discovered one possible point in Kentucky the army of Zollicoffer, which held the key to Tennessee has been utterly routed and dispersed.  The examiner anticipated the movement and declared that if the plan of Buell – that is of flanking Bowling Green on either side – was successful, it must result in a great disaster.  “Its only hope then was in an offensive campaign across the Ohio from the point that Gen. Johnston now defends.”

But when the intelligence which had not then reached Richmond, of the utter rout of Humphrey Marshall’s forces at Prestonburg and of Zollicoffer’s defeat at Somerset, which took place three days afterwards, became fully know that “only hope” must have perished.

The Richmond Whig of the 17th apparently to counteract the discouraging effect of the Examiner of the day previous, said, “Let us turn for a moment to the West, Price, Polk, Marshall and Zollicoffer having whipped the cowardly mercenaries at every point.”  Of course this was intended to cheer up the despondent Southern ear, but how much more disheartening must be the reaction when the truth was known.

The Richmond Dispatch discovers that even in Richmond there are men who are loyal to the Union and the fervor of its denunciation of such indicate clearly the fear that Union sentiments may become contagious as the fortunes of the Confederacy from day to day become more gloomy.

The Trenton (Tennessee) Standard “regrets to say considerable evidence of disloyalty to the Confederate Government has been manifested in West Tennessee,” designating the counties of Carroll, Weakly and McNairy as the localities of formidable Unionism and resistance.  In that part of the State, too, where secession in the start, had unresisted and absolute sway.

The articles we recently published from the Memphis Argus, where filled with the most bitter hostility to Jeff. Davis and his conduct of the war.  There would be no utterances of that sort – no recrimination so intensely wrathful except in the abandonment of all hope of present success under his auspices.

All these things clearly denote the growing suspicion, at least in the minds of sharp intelligent observers of events, that the catastrophe is not very far off.  They perceive how completely they are beleaguered by hostile forces on every hand – that the Port Royal expedition is still in potential activity in the heart of South Carolina, that Burnside’s expedition, whatever the point to which it is directed, will meet no adequate opposing force; that Butler has a position on the Gulf coast where he can assail either Mobile or New Orleans at pleasure; that Lane’s expedition will soon move down through Arkansas and Louisiana irresistible.  In short, turn which way they will, now that the hope of our instant war with England, on which they counted, is dissipated, there is nothing but black, rayless despair. – {St. Louis Democrat.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3

The Burnside Expedition Officially Heard From

Four of the Vessels Lost, Three Run Ashore, and a Number of Lives Lost, and the Fleet Lands in Pamlico Sound.

FORTRESS MONROE, January 27.

By the arrival of the steamer Eastern State, we have the first direct and official intelligence of the Burnside Expedition.  The Eastern State left Hatteras Inlet last night, and arrived here this morning.

The recent storms were unusually severe at Hatteras, and considerably delayed and crippled the expedition, but when the Eastern State left, everything looked favorable.

The Burnside Expedition sailed from Hampton Roads on the 11th and 12th of January, and consisted of over 125 vessels, of all classes. – They arrived at Hatteras between the 12th and 17th inst., having been greatly retarded by severe storms and adverse winds, which prevailed during that time.

After their arrival at Hatteras they experienced a series of unparalleled storms, so that at times it was impossible to hold communication between any two vessels of the fleet.

After the storm it was discovered that no vessel drawing over 7 feet 8 inches could pass into Pamlico Sound.  No vessel either could pass outside the bar, drawing over 13 feet, unless very skillfully piloted.  In consequence of this the City of New York struck on the outside of the bar.  She had cargo valued at $200,000, of powder, rifles and bombs, and proved a total loss.  Her crew was saved.

The steamer Pocahontas went ashore near the light house and became a total loss.  Ninety valuable horses belonging to the Rhode Island Battery were on board of her, and were all drowned, including several valued at $500 each.

The Grape Shot parted her hawser and went down at sea.  Her crew were saved.

An unknown schooner, loaded with oats, and another schooner, name unknown, with six of her crew, were lost on the beach.

The steamer Louisiana struck on the bar, where she still remains.  The report of her burning is incorrect.  She may get off.  The Eastern Queen and the Voltigeur are also ashore.  The latter will probably get off.

The Water vessels attached to the Expedition had not reached their destination when the Eastern State left, and had it not been for the condensers on board some of the vessels, and a vessel on shore, the most terrible suffering must have occurred among the troops.  As it was, the water casks were composed of old whiskey camphene, and kerosene oil casks.

It is thought the pilots of Hatteras are traitors, having intentionally run the vessels ashore.

The waves dashed with a clean sweep across the Hatteras shore, completely cutting off the fort from outside communication.

Colonel Allen of the 9th New Jersey Regiment, and his Surgeon, Weller, with a boat’s crew, and the 2d Mate of the Anne Thompson, when they found that the troops needed water, manned a life boat in order to reach the General and obtain it.  The boat swamped and the Colonel, Surgeon and Mate were drowned.  The crew were saved.

Gen. Burnside has succeeded in getting over the bar one half of his vessels, including the gunboats and 7,000 troops.  Everything appeared to be in satisfactory condition when the Eastern Star left.  The large transports with troops remained outside until the arrival of the Spaulding, from Port Royal on the 3d, when Capt. Hawes volunteered to bring them all inside.  This was accomplished yesterday afternoon, the Eastern State passing the last of them as she left.

A portion of the tug boats chartered by Gen. Burnside for the expedition refused to proceed any further than Fortress Monroe.

Fair weather has set in, and the schooners of the expedition are making their appearance with water, coal, and provisions, and everything looks more promising.  Gen. Burnside has been indefatigable, he is confident of the ultimate success of the expedition and has the respect of every man under his command.

The only troops that have been landed are the 24th Massachusetts Regiment and the Rhode Island Battery.  Col. Hawkins’ regiment goes with the Burnside Expedition.

There has been no loss of life except what is above mentioned.  Different reports are received at Hatteras from the surrounding population in relations to the disposition and intentions of the enemy.  Some who came in say that the rebels are completely frightened and will not make a stand.  Another report is to the effect that large masses of troops will be concentrated in the vicinity, and still another store, confirmed by many, that their exertions will be directed chiefly to placing obstacles in the way of our progress to Norfolk.

The rebels keep a good look out on our movements with their gunboats.  Two of them made their appearance after the storm, but disappeared when chased.

The mails by the Eastern State will be forwarded to-morrow.

The Pensacola left here (Ft. Monroe) this afternoon for Key West, Pensacola and Ship Island.  She will report to the Commodore of the fleet in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Baltimore boat brought down this morning the 2d and 4th batteries from Wisconsin. – They will remain at Fortress Monroe for the present.

A flag of truce was sent out this P. M. to meet the rebel steamer Selden, and brought back among the release prisoners, Lieut. Parks, 4th Michigan, Dr. Wm. B. Fletcher, 6th Indiana, Lieut. Wm. Booth, 2d Wisconsin, and Lieut. Hooper, 1st California.

We find the following in Southern papers.

To-day’s Richmond Dispatch has reliable authority for making the statement that “General Beauregard takes command of the army at Columbus, Ky., and Gen. Gustavus W. Smith succeeds him in the position he has so long and so successfully occupied.  At Columbus, we understand, that Gen. Beauregard is subordinate to no one except Gen. A. Sydney Johnson [sic].  This change goes into effect without delay.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Official intelligence form the Fleet

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30. – Official dispatches from Com. Goldsborough, dated Jan. 26th, arrived this morning.  Seventeen of the naval vessels were at that time in the Sound over and beyond the bulkhead under immediate command of Commodore Rowan in full readiness for operations.  General Burnside was preparing his forces to move in connection with the fleet.  Commodore Goldsborough says things now look hopeful, and I sincerely trust we shall be soon at the enemy.  Any decided approach now to this quarter on that part of the Rebels with all the force they can muster would certainly result in their speedy capture and destruction.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Mobile to be attacked -- Burnside Expedition

NEW YORK, Jan. 25. – A letter dated aboard the frigate Niagara off Ship Island the 11th gives as rumors that Mobile may soon be attacked.

A letter from Hatteras Inlet says the loss of the New York won’t seriously interfere with the efficiency of the Burnside Expedition, there being a good supply of material aboard other vessels.

Gen. Foster’s brigade would soon move towards Roanoke Island as circumstances should decide.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Change In The Burnside Expedition – Spies In Washington

The Washington correspondent of the New York Post says that the President informed a Senator, one evening last week, that the original plan of the Burnside expedition had been given up, because the rebels had got hold of it.  The same writer says:

The attention of the new Secretary of War has been directed to the fact that Secessionists in the District are in constant correspondence with the rebel leaders, and that rebel spies reside in Washington.  A prominent citizen yesterday gave information that a well known rebel army officer is secreted among his family friends here.  He has not yet been discovered by the Government detectives but the fact he was in the city last week, is established beyond a doubt.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Appearances indicate that Gen. McClellan’s plan . . .

. . . of operation is something as follows.  As a part of our forces in Kentucky shall advance into Tennessee the remainder, with those at Cairo will operate against Bowling Green.  Forcing the Confederates to abandon this position, their retreat will be cut off, and their condition will be precarious.  Meanwhile the Mississippi flotilla will proceed upon its mission.  If the Burnside expedition shall obtain possession of the North Carolina Railroad, the rebel connection between Virginia and the cotton states will be cut off.  The army at Manassas, thus isolated, must leave its entrenchments either to attack Gen. McClellan or retreat.  If the former result is not doubtful, if the latter, with what power will Gen. McClellan fall upon its rear?

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 1

The Great Burnside Expedition

(From the Newbern Progress of Tuesday.)

Nothing would afford us more pleasure at this particular time than to be able to give a strictly correct account of the strength and condition of the Burnside Expedition.  We doubted some days ago whether there really had ever been such a thing in existence, and began to think it all a Yankee lie, but more recently we have become convinced that there is such a thing, and that what is left of it is actually at Hatteras.

The Country is so situated about Hatteras that it is difficult to get close to the enemy to take satisfactory observations without being observed.  We saw, however, and conversed with a gentleman direct from Portsmouth having left that place Saturday and arrived here Sunday night, who went to Ocracoke before leaving, took a horse and rode down the bank as near to the enemy as was safe, within 10 or 11 miles, and took as good an observation has he could with a glass.  He says he counted 93 vessels, about two thirds of which were steamers, all inside the bar and about 20 inside the Sound, and puts down the number at least 100.

(From The Newbern Progress of Monday.)

THE BURNSIDE FLEET – ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE VESSELS – AN ATTACK THOUGHT TO CERTAIN – NEWBERN, WASHINGTON AND ROANOKE THE POINTS.

The Albemarle arrived on Saturday between 3 and 4 o’clock, having left Portsmouth early Saturday morning, and we have learned from Col. Singletary, who was in command of the expedition, that he arrived at Portsmouth Wednesday evening after the storm had set in, so that it was impossible for him to make any observations himself, but he saw a Mr. Samuel Tolson, a Mr. Williams, and others, who had been applied to by the directors of the fleet to act as pilots, and those gentlemen assured him fleet was at Hatteras, numbering about 175 vessels, and represent that their force is 30,000 strong.

About one third of the fleet was in the Sound on Tuesday, on third in the Roads, and one third outside.  They were busy lightening vessels over the Swash, and as they would clear the roads by entering the Sound, others would come in from outside.  They said that the Yankees were very anxious to get pilots for the Croatan Sound and the rivers, which makes it seem that Roanoke, Edenton, Washington, and perhaps other places east of us are to be attacked and it is rendered certain that we are to be visited from the fact that the vessels they were lightening over could not attack any place but this.  These gentlemen also learned from them that they had lost three vessels and three men since they had come to Hatteras.  Also that New Orleans is to be attacked simultaneously with the attack here.

It is impossible to tell what effect the storm of Thursday and Friday had upon them but it must have been severe.  The Colonel says that Portsmouth was completely covered with water.  He thinks they must have suffered severely, for the gale was terrific, but it was impossible for him to learn anything of their condition later than Tuesday.

He reports the people of Portsmouth under arms and determined to defend themselves as best they can.  The women are apparently much alarmed.

Capt. Crosson went down the river yesterday on the Albemarle, and will probably return to-day, if so, we shall be able to give something further in relation to the movements of the fleet in our next.

THE BURNSIDE FLEET

GOLDSBORO’, Jan 28. – The Tribune of to-day saw a man who left Portsmouth on Saturday. – He said seventy five vessels could be seen from Portsmouth on Saturday.  The storm on Thursday and Friday was very severe.  Portsmouth was wholly submerged.  Several vessels were reported as stranded and there were some on Chickamacomico beach.  The Tribune says the fleet is certainly at Hatteras, and the attack is expected at Newbern and Roanoke perhaps Edenton, Elizabeth City and at other places.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 8, 1862, p. 2

The Burnside Expedition --- The Actual Facts

To the Editor of the New York Times

Upon my arrival at Fortress Monroe, I gave without any compensation, the facts relating to the Burnside Expedition to the Associated Press.  In that report I nothing extenuated, nor set down aught in malice.  I stated the facts without commentary.  The official dispatch distinctly states that only one vessel was lost and that Gen. Burnside says so.  I know that he did not.  I know that Gen. Burnside freely and openly spoke to the Correspondents of his position, of his misfortunes, and his responsibilities, and that when he was advised to place an espionage over the Press, he said, “I am in the hands of the public.  I have been deceived but I will bear the blame.”  Freely, and with generosity, in the face of counsel opposed to him he allowed the correspondents to send their dispatches.

The facts stated and published by these gentlemen have verified my original statement, but now that some official parties have seen fit to contravene the primary statements which the public received, perhaps it would be well to reiterate and state the facts.

An expedition called the Burnside Expedition which had long been in preparations, and which consisted of one hundred and twenty five vessels of all descriptions sailed on the 4th of January from Fortress Monroe.  Slight storms and head winds retarded us on our progress, but we arrived, either outside or inside the bar, on the 13th or 15th of this month.  Gen. Wool advised the departure, the pilots agreed with him, and thus we saved meeting a storm which would have buried one half of the worthless hulks on the sandy bottom of the sea.  The vessels comprising the expedition were bought under the understanding that they should draw a certain depth of water.  The correspondent of the Evening Post states in one case: At least one steamer was sworn to draw but six feet six inches when laden and actually draws when lightened as near as possible, eight feet.  From the World’s correspondent: ‘I shudder when I look back to a week ago yesterday, and recount the train of casualties which has followed us and were I to present them in the order they occurred your readers would certainly presume this an ill starred expedition.’

All the daily papers add testimony to these statements.  I will not enter into particulars already published.  The terrible storms almost unparalleled, the rapid current sweeping with resistless force from Pamlico sound to the wild ocean at the rate of five miles an hour and returning.  The high tides washing over the sandy beach of Hatteras and preventing the landing of soldiers or the serene quiescent gouty state of the Commodore who lounged on his divan while the whirlwind and the rough ocean tore and shattered the City of New York’s elegant proportions into driftwood and an unseemly object when a hauser from a tug boat might have saved her.

I will sate facts.  The City of New York with 400 kegs of gunpowder, 1,700 Enfield rifles, with bombs &c., was lost through neglect, and her Captain and crew in full sight of the fleet remained in the rigging forty hours exposed to the mercy of the elements.  The Zouave gunboat, armed with one 32 pound Parrott gun, two Wiard guns, rifled, dragged her anchors, stove a hole in her stern and sunk.  The troops were saved and so were the guns.  The vessel is lost.

The Grapeshot bomb-vessel went down at sea.

The Pocahontas, an old steamer, was charted for horses.  The pilot stated to the General on board the Spaulding that her owner was utterly opposed to her going on the expedition. – The pilot also stated that the boilers leaked and they drove wooden plugs in the boiler, that the iron grates fell out (See Times correspondent) and she went ashore because they and no sail!  The Pocahontas lost 80 Rhode Island Battery horses and 15 staff officers’ horses.

The bark Volligeur, with a portion of the Eleventh Connecticut is hard ashore with 500 troops.

The Admiral who carried Gen. Burnside and the Massachusetts Twenty-fourth and which were sent ashore, stuck in the Swash three days but is now over.

The steamer Northerner, the headquarters of Gen. Reno, broke her anchor and was ashore three days.

The Eastern Queen went hard ashore.

The Louisiana, a large paddle-wheel steamer, (Herald correspondent says,) broke her back.

A schooner went ashore near the light-house, with oats for horses, and went to pieces.

Another schooner went ashore with coal, and lost six men, four of whom were buried by Col. Stevenson of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, and two by the Eleventh Connecticut.

The ships purchased for the Expedition never could have stood a storm at sea.  Old freight boats from Poughkeepsie and Albany were fitted up as gunboats, painted black to look formidable, two of them, the Lancer and Pioneer, carried 500 troops each.  When in the trough of the sea they rolled fearfully and a Captain in the navy who was on board the Lancer, stated that in case of a storm, nothing could prevent her from bilging and going down.

The contractor who furnished the water casks for the expedition has committed an outrage on our soldiers which should only entitle him to John Brown’s fate.  The casks used to put water in were old whisky, kerosene oil and camphene barrels furnished by the Union city of Baltimore.  The sufferings endured from this source was terrible, men could not drink it, it was too nauseous.

Another contrast.  Ice would have been a luxury to the soldiers – it was only $5 a ton. – Water we were short of.  Coal we were short – it was only $4.50 a ton.  Stone was worth 25 cents.  All of these most excellent ballast.  Yet would it be believed that we took on board pig iron at $20 a ton as ballast, knowing when we started we should have to cast it overboard. – Yes such is the fact.  The gunboat Lancer arrived at Hatteras Inlet short of coal and water, and yet she threw over 75 tons of iron - $1,750 worth.  In all $3,600 worth of iron was cast overboard, yet we were short of water.

The pilots, we are all told, were all Union, Hatteras Inlet was Union, and New York subscribed $8,000 for the inhabitants because they were all Union.  Yet one of the pilots hired by us one went over to the enemy and informed them of everything, and as for the inhabitants of Hatteras Inlet, they are too ignorant to know the difference between Union and Secession.  It is all nonsense, experience teaches us that, there are no Union men there, and that the 3,000 rifles asked for, if they had been granted, would now be on Roanoke Island, and that the $8,000 sent to North Carolina for the benefit of the Union men, was all lost to us.  The south are in earnest and we are at play.  We had to pay $800 in secret service money to those self-same Union men, to know whether Roanoke Island was occupied or not.

Briefly reiterating the facts contained in my first dispatch, and calling attention to the rascalities of the first steamboat contractors, and other contractors, and asking the public to pause in the contemplation of a set of scoundrels who have allowed the lives and health of 15,000 men to be periled by their life boats and their water casks, I will conclude by stating the position of affairs.

The naval gunboats have crossed the “swash.”  One half of Gen. Burnside’s vessels have done likewise.  Seven thousand troops are safely over.  Those vessels which cannot cross will be relieved of their troops, and will cross on other vessels.  Vessels may be injured.  Water was scarce for a time.  The rations were rather slight.  But the whole army of 15,000 men have confidence in their General.  He is ever ready to relieve the wants of a shipwrecked crew or the privations of the soldier.  In the storm in his top boots, his old gray flannel shirt and Kossuth hat, the American Garibaldi is loved by all.  They have faith in his bravery – they have confidence in his judgment – and their experience teaches them that Gen. Burnside will never bring back the star on his shoulder dimmed by defeat, but rather that it will shine resplendent in victory.

W. R.

FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL, Tuesday, January 30th, 1862.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 8, 1862, p. 2

Burnside's Advance On Beaufort

The New York Herald contains a letter from Newbern of the 27th of March, giving the particulars of Gen. Burnside’s advance on Washington and Beaufort.  On the 20th ult. six companies of troops left Newbern for Washington, under command of Col. Stevenson, in the transport Guide, under convoy of three gunboats.  They went down the Neuse river to Pimlico Sound, and thence up to Washington.  On Thursday night they anchored below the city, and the next morning, on reaching a point about seven miles from their destination, found the river so thoroughly obstructed that only one of the gunboats succeeded in getting past.  A portion of the troops went up on her and landed.  They were most cordially received by the inhabitants, among whom Union sentiments predominated.  On the same day the third brigade, under Gen. Parks, sailed to Slocum’s Creek, and thence went toward Beaufort by means of handcars on the railroad.  The brigade stopped at Morehead city, some little distance from Beaufort and Fort Macon, and dispatched a flag of truce to the Fort, demanding an unconditional surrender.  The commander, however, decided to fight a little before giving up, and accordingly refused compliance.  The result of this was, the Fort was to be immediately invested.  Gen. Burnside left for the scene of operations on the 25th, and it was expected that after the labor of transplanting and placing the ordnance in position, which would occupy several days, had been completed, the fort would soon be taken.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 2

Beaufort Occupied – Macon blown up – The Nashville Burned

FORTRESS MONROE, March 23, via BALTIMORE, 24. – The steamer Chancellor Livingston arrived from Hatteras last night.  Immediately after the occupation of Newberne our expedition to Beaufort was started by General Burnside.  The place was however evacuated before our troops approached, but Macon was blown up by the rebels, and the Steamer Nashville burned.  On the day General Burnside occupied Newberne 1,600 rebel troops were on the road between Goldsboro and Newberne.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

From North Carolina

BALTIMORE, March 24. – On Thursday last an expedition left Newbern in steamers, went down the river, struck the railroad, and took up march for Beaufort, with hand cars from Newbern.  No opposition was made to the advance of our forces.

On the evening of the 20th the rebels learned of our approach, blew up Fort Macon, fired the Nashville, and retreated across the river to Morehead City and Carolina city, and in the direction of Washington.  Beaufort was almost entirely evacuated by the people.  Our troops occupied the place the next day.

On the same day, the 20th, Gen. Burnside sent a force with several gunboats to Washington.  No opposition to our landing.  Our troops occupied the town, and the Union flag is now flying on the Court House.

There was nothing new at Newbern.

Our Pickets extend about eight miles toward Goldsboro’.

On Wednesday three men strayed beyond our lines, and were made prisoners by a troop of rebel cavalry.

The inhabitants are gradually returning to the town, and taking the oath of allegiance.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

From Newbern and Hatteras Inlet

NEW YORK, March 25. – The steamer George Peabody, from Newbern 22d, via Hatteras Sunday, has arrived here.  She left at the Inlet the Steamers New Brunswick and Louisiana with many of the wounded from the Burnside expedition.

The steamer Spaulding left on Sunday for Fortress Monroe with a part of the rebel prisoners.

The Peabody touched at Hampton Roads, where she saw a large fleet at anchor.

The expedition to Beaufort, North Carolina, had not been reported back, except the capture of the Nashville by our blockading fleet as she was leaving the place on the approach of our troops.

The Peabody returns immediately with stores.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

From Fortress Monroe

FORT MONROE, March 25. – A flag of truce went to Norfolk to-day, but brought no news.

The Norfolk Day Book of this morning has the following:

RICHMOND, March 23. – The House of Representatives have adopted a resolution to apply a portion of the money belonging to the contingent fund, to the aid and relief of the captured troops now in the hands of the enemy as prisoners of war.

Heavy reinforcements are being sent to Old Point.  We learn that fourteen Federal steamers were at Old Point on Sunday, loading with troops, supposed to be for the Burnside Expedition.

RICHMOND, March 23. – The new Cabinet of President Davis has been formed:  Secretary of State, J. P. Benjamin, of Louisiana; Secretary of War, John Randolph, of Virginia; Secretary of Navy, S. R. Mallory, of Florida; Secretary of Treasury, C. G. Meminger, of South Carolina;  Attorney-General, Theodore Watts; Postmaster General, Reagin of Texas.

The new troops are pouring into this city. – Six or seven of the new regiments arrived in this neighborhood on Sunday by Railroad.

President Davis has declared martial law over the counties of Elizabeth City, York, Warwick, Gloster and Mathews.

Accounts are given in the Norfolk Day Book of an engagement near the Warrenton station on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad on Saturday last between 300 rebel cavalry, under Gen. Steward, and 500 Yankee cavalry.  40 of the latter are reported killed and 100 wounded. – We are said to have lost 6 killed and 18 wounded.

We take the above from the Lynchburg Virginian.

67 citizens of Lomdom were sent to Richmond on the Central cars Thursday night and committed to the military prison.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

Great Battle in North Carolina!

REBELS TOTALLY DEFEATED.

Newbern Taken!

THE ARTILLERY CAPTURED!

BALTIMORE, March 18. – The steamer Commodore arrived this morning direct from the Burnside expedition, and reports the capture of Newbern, North Carolina, the defeat of the enemy, and the capture of a large quantity of artillery, after a hard fought battle.

Our loss at Newbern is about 90 killed and 400 wounded.  Our men displayed great bravery.

A bearer of dispatches from Gen. Burnside left immediately for Washington.

It is reported that we took 300 prisoners.

Some reports make our loss 50 or 60 and 250 to 300 wounded.

The fight too place on Friday last.

There are rumors that one of our Brigadier Generals was killed – considered unreliable.

(Special to N. Y. Times.)

BALTIMORE, March 18. – The enemy’s works, six miles below Newbern, were attacked on Friday morning last.  They were defended by a force of ten thousand, having twenty-one guns posted behind formidable batteries, over two miles long.  The fight was one of the most desperate of the war.  Our troops behaved with great steadiness and courage, and after nearly all their positions, capturing three light batteries of field artillery, forty-six heavy siege guns, large stores of field ammunition, 3,000 stand of small arms, and 200 prisoners, including one Colonel, three Captains, and four Lieutenants.  The enemy left a large number of dead on the field.  They escaped by cars to Goldsborough, burning the bridges over the Trent and Clermont, and fired the city of Newbern.  No extensive damage was done to the place.

We lost about one hundred killed, and four hundred wounded, mostly of the New England regiments.

Rev. O. M. Benton was among the killed, and Major Legifidel, 51st N. Y. volunteers, mortally wounded.  Lieut. Col. Morrill of the 23rd Massachusetts, and Adjutant Faustens of the 21st Massachusetts Infantry were also killed.

Sergt. Major D. H. Johnson of the 23rd Massachusetts regiment, came as passenger by steamer Commodore, and from him we gather the following interesting particulars:

Our troops under Gen. Burnside, landed on Thursday evening near the mouth of Swan Creek, on the west side of the Neuse River, fifteen miles below Newbern.  Owing to a dense fog, the vessels did not participate in the fight.

Early on Friday morning the fight commenced.  Our troops advanced along the country road running paralleled with the Neuse river, but a mile or two in the rear, the road was skirted on the west side by a railroad and dense swamp.  All along the riverside were a series of batteries which were taken by our troops one after another, after some bloody hand to hand contests.

Our troops were divided into three brigades, under Generals Reno, Foster and Parks.

Gradually the enemy deserted their guns until we reached a line of earth works running across the road from the river to the swamp on the west, a distance of some two miles.  These earth works were very strong.  They were located about two miles south of Newbern, and below them and the city ran the river.  The country roads and the Railroad both passed through these works, and crossed the Neuse by a bridge.  In front of these works the rebels had felled a large number of trees, forming an almost impenetrable abattis, where the flying rebels were ready to make for a while a desperate stand.

Our men fought until their ammunition was spent, when an order to charge bayonet was given.  The works were finally taken at the point of the bayonet, the enemy flying and leaving everything behind.  In their retreat the rebels burnt the bridges over the Neuse, connecting with both the country road and R. R.

As they had their trains of cars in their rear, just across the bridges, they, of course, were able to carry off their wounded and dead.  Their loss is therefore, not certainly known, but it must have been considerable.

It was in front of the last fortification that our greatest loss was sustained.  The force of the rebels is supposed to have been about 8,000 – we captured a number of prisoners, including Col. Avery, who cursed his soldiers as cowards.

Just as the battle terminated the fog lifted and enabled our gunboats, which had been waiting for an opportunity to participate in the fight to come up the river, and our troops were furnished with means of transportation across the Trent to Newbern.  The rebels attempted to fire the town in their retreat, but were prevented by the citizens, who extinguished the flames as fast as they were started by the soldiers. – None of our Generals or staff officers were killed or wounded.  We captured from thirty to fifty cannon.  Officers of the rebels left their baggage behind and the men threw away everything.  The fight terminated at three p.m., on Friday, when our troops remained masters of the field.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 4

Washington Items

WASHINGTON, March 17. – Gen. Fremont has had an interview with the President and the Secretary of war.  He will press his affairs promptly starting to his department.  His staff will therefore be determined on at an early day.  His headquarters will be in the field.  Colonel Shanks, of the House of Representatives, will accompany him as soon as his duties will permit.

A large number of applications have been made by volunteer officers to be appointed to the regular army, but these have been unsuccessful, among other reasons the difficulty of discriminating as to the relative merits of the applicants.

The Senate was four hours in Executive Session to-day and confirmed the following nominations for Brigadier-Generals of volunteers:

Major Wm. F. Barry, Chief of Artillery and Aid to Gen. McClellan’s Staff; Willis A. Gorman, of Minnesota; Col. Schuyler Hamilton, Thomas L. Price, Member of Congress from Missouri Major Jas. N. Hamor, 5th Cavalry, Lieut. Col. Wm. H. Emory, 6th cavalry, Major Andrew J. Smith, 5th cavalry, Moritena L. Patrick, of New Jersey, Isaac F. Arndy, of New Jersey, Otis S. Fry, of Connecticut, Herman G. Berry, of Maine.

WASHINGTON, March 17. – The Clothing Inspection Board concluded its labors to-day and showed its report to the Quarter Master General.  Over two million dollars worth of clothing was condemned.  The testimony taken revealed gross frauds perpetrated against the Government.  These frauds are consequent upon collusion between contractors and manufacturers.

The Monitor is lying in wait for the Merrimac at Fort Monroe.

Com. Goldsboro had received intelligence from the Burnside Expedition.  It was still pursuing its plans, having accomplished everything which it set out to do.  It was just on the eve of making an attack on Newbern.

The Commission to inquire into the cases of political prisoners met at 12 o’clock to-day and the following matters were settled as to its course of action.  The examination will be secret and exparte statements will be received exclusively as to the prisoners held here.  The Commission will adjourn from place to place, examining the prisoners at the localities of their confinement.

WASHINGTON, March 18. – The President has made the following appointments of Cadets at West Point.

Edward W. Baker, Illinois; Steward S. Bayless, Kentucky; Wm. H. Uppenwas, Henry Winter, Jr., Edward Sharp, Mo.; Erastus Gaines, Ill.; Chas. Woodson, Baltimore, also Richard Taylor Churchill, District of Columbia.  The last mentioned is a son of the late Captain Churchill, U. S. A., who died in the service in Mexico.

The Supreme Court has decided after an elaborate argument two cases, namely, the United States against Lysander Babbitt and the United States against Robert Coles in favor of settling them in that the Registers and Receivers of public lands cannot return the fees on military bounty land warrants beyond the compensation of $3,000 per annum, to which they were limited by act of 1818.  This decision of a long contested question saves the Government nearly a million of dollars.  The argument on behalf of the Government was prepared and conducted by Assistant Adjutant General Coffin.

It is reported that there are numerous Railroad Representatives here preparing applications to Congress for pecuniary assistance to complete the present lines and open new routes, to an amount, exceeding in the aggregate of fifteen million dollars.  An effort will be made to induce congress to aid their plans either by the government endorsing their bonds, or in the shape of a donation upon the ground of national necessity.

Information received at the State Department indicates a very vigorous re-action against Gen. Mosquara.  Neither the Government of the U. States, or that of Great Britain have ever recognized that government.

Brig. Gen. Burnside was this p.m. confirmed by the Senate as Maj. General of Volunteers.

Diplomatic critics are seriously disturbed by the authentic news received from Cuba, announcing a serious misunderstanding between the allied powers in Mexico.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 4

Gen. Burnside's Expedition

Capture of Beaufort, N. C.

NEW YORK, March 19. – The Commercial Advertiser says its correspondent had permission from Gen. Burnside to say that an expedition would soon leave for Beaufort, N. C., strong enough to overcome all obstacles, and the place is probably captured before this.  Gen. Butler and staff are still reported at Hilton Head, Port Royal.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31

Jesse D. Bright will be expelled from the Senate, but probably not till Tuesday, as there will be a long executive session on Monday.

The postal receipts for letters carried during the last quarter of 1861 are but little less than during the same period last year, when the mails went all over the Union.  The cost of transportation is three millions less.

A new development in reference to the Morgan purchase of vessels for the government has just been made.  It appears that before the Savannah steamers were sold, the owners agreed to give a certain broker two per cent if he would sell the property to the government.  He sold to Morgan, to whom he paid two and a half per cent.  The broker now sues the owners for his two per cent.  The owners contest the claim, insist that they are not bound to pay, and declare that they can prove that a plan was formed by some parties to fleece the government in the purchase of these ships, by making five per cent on exorbitant prices.  The matter will be exposed in Court.

Times’ Dispatch.

Private letters received in Washington from persons abroad, confirm the impression that the governments of England, France and Spain meditate an early recognition of the Confederate States.  This recognition, it will be pretended, is made in the cause of humanity.

It is now confidently asserted that there are not 10 Republican members of the House who are prepared to advocate the immediate and unconditional emancipation of salves.  All hope of legislation favorable to this class of politicians is abandoned, and the administration programme of preserving the Union and constitution and enforcing the laws is said to be omnipotent [sic] in the House.

Herald’s Dispatch.

The President has submitted to Congress the correspondence in reference to the Spanish bark seized by our cruiser, and brought in as a prize.  Lewis Taylor, who was approved by the government and accepted by the Spanish Minister as reference, has awarded $2,791,91 [sic] damages to be paid by the government to the master of the bark.

A deserter from the 1^st N. C. Cavalry who gives his name as N. T. Emmett, confirms the statements of previous deserters as to the condition of the rebel troops an entrenchments about Manassas.  The term of enlistment of over 80,000 men, he alleges, expires at the end of this month.  Of this number not one-tenth will reenlist, and if an attempt at coercion is made, he prophesies desperate and bloody resistance.

The President, Secretary of War and Q. M. General have been in consultation with parties from the West to-day, in regard to the frauds in the Q. M. Department at Cairo.  Frauds in the way of contracts are said to exist, which will be investigated to the fullest extend

The investigating committee find that parties in Philadelphia claim from government, for army supplies of different kinds, over $16,000,000.  Specimens of some of the goods, for the payment of which a portion of this enormous sum is demanded, were brought here by the committee, and are positive evidence that government has been defrauded.

Messrs. Covode and Odell reported the result of their investigation to the Secretary of War to-day.

The Richmond Dispatch admits that the aggregate force of the rebels now in the field is but 250,000.

Special to the Commercial.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.

It is reported that the transports of the Burnside expedition are nearly all of heavier draft than was represented by their owners.  This was the cause of all this difficulty at Hatteras bar.

The House committee of way and means are more confident to-day of their ability to pass the legal tender clause of the hundred million note bill.

Tribune’s Special.

Secretary Chase’s answer to the committee of ways and means was received this morning.  Their resolution required him to express his opinion as to their propriety and necessity of the immediate passage by Congress of Mr. Spaulding’s legal tender bill.

The Secretary begins by saying that the condition of the treasury is such that the committee’s bill should be passed at the earliest possible moment.  The general features of the bill he admits to be correct, and to have his approval.  In regard to the legal tender feature, he urges the passage of this scheme of banking, recommended in his report as a means for funding a considerable amount of the public stock, and concluded by suggesting some unimportant formal amendments, to which in no way affected the principles of the bill.

A letter received here this morning, from one of the most distinguished merchants in New York, says that only eight bank presidents in that city coincide with Mr. Gallatin.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Monday Morning, February 3, 1862, p. 1