668

THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION.

lowered, rapidly filled with troops, and towed np in long lines by light-draughtvessels until they came near to the shore of the harbor, when each of thesurf-boats was cut loose and steered for the shore. There was no obstructionto their landing. In less than an hour 4000 troops were ashore, and beforemidnight the entire force was landed, with the exception of one regiment,which was landed on the morning of the 8th. The advance of our troopswas ordered on this morning, General Foster being in the advance andcenter, General Reno on the left, and General Parke on the right. Just aboveAshby’s Harbor the island from shore to shore was marshy, swampy ground.A causeway had been built up the center of the island, and on this, aboutone mile and a half from the harbor, was a fort, which was flanked by whatseemed to be impassable ground; but it did not prove to be so to onr troops.General Foster pressed the rebels in front, General Reno passed around the leftwith his brigade, often waist-deep in the marsh, through almost impenetrablethickets, until he gained the right flank of the enemy’s line. General Parkeperformed equally good service on the right, and after advantageous positionshad been obtained, the work was carried by a simultaneous assault, andfrom that time there was no hindrance to the march of our troops to thehead of the island and to the forts on the shore, where the entire garrisonwas captured. The naval fleet pursued the rebel gun-boats, nearly all ofwhich, however, were destroyed by their crews, to prevent capture. Theresults of this important victory were great, particularly in inspiring theconfidence of the country in the efficiency of its armies in the field.

The troops enjoyed their rest at Roanoke Island , but were not allowed toremain idle long. On the 26th of February, orders were given to makearrangements to embark for New Berne , and within four days they were all onboard. On the 12th of March, the entire command was anchored off the mouthof Slocum’s Creek, and about fourteen miles from New Berne . The approachto the city had been obstructed by piles and sunken vessels. About fourmiles from New Berne a large fort on the shore had been built, with a heavyarmament, and a line of earth-works extended from the fort inland a distanceof some two miles, where it ended in almost impassable ground.

On the night of the 12th, orders were given for landing, and on the morn-ing of the 13th the troops were put ashore, in very much the same way thatthey had been at Roanoke . By 1 o’clock the debarkation was finished, andthe troops were put in line of march. About this time the rain began to fall,and the road became almost impassable. No ammunition could be carriedexcept what the men themselves could carry. No artillery could be takenexcept the small howitzers, which were hauled by the troops with drag-ropes.This was one of the most disagreeable and difficult marches that I witnessedduring the war. We came in contact with the enemy’s pickets just beforedark, when it was decided to delay the attack until morning. That night amost dreary bivouac followed. Early the next morning, notwithstanding thefog, the disposition for the attack was made. General Foster was ordered toengage the enemy on the right, General Reno to pass around on the extremeleft, and General Parke to occupy the center. We were much nearer to the