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Battle of New Bern

Battle of New Bern
Part of the American Civil War
Watercolor drawing of gunboats advancing toward New Bern, seen from a point above the middle of the Neuse River. New Bern is marked by three clouds of smoke seen in the distance, the presumed result of destruction of property to keep it from the enemy. A dozen hulks form a barrier across the river, with a gap on the left side of the drawing; two shore-based guns near the gap are firing on the fleet. Two Federal ships have already passed the gap, a third is about to pass, and a fourth is approaching.
The advance of the Gunboats up the river to New Berne, N. Carolina. Passing the Barricade.
Valentine, Herbert Eugene, artist.
Date March 14, 1862 (1862-03-14)
Location Craven County, North Carolina
Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States United States (Union) Confederate States of America CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Ambrose E. Burnside
Stephen C. Rowan 		Lawrence O'B. Branch
Units involved
Coast Division
North Atlantic Blockading Squadron 		1st Division, Department of North Carolina
Strength
13 infantry regiments
14 gunboats		 6 infantry regiments
1 cavalry regiment
Casualties and losses
90 killed
380 wounded
1 missing		 64 killed
101 wounded
413 captured or missing

The Battle of New Bern (also known as the Battle of New Berne) was fought on 14 March 1862, near the city of New Bern, North Carolina, as part of the Burnside Expedition of the American Civil War. The US Army's Coast Division, led by Brigadier General Ambrose E. Burnside and accompanied by armed vessels from the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, were opposed by an undermanned and badly trained Confederate force of North Carolina soldiers and militia led by Brigadier General Lawrence O'B. Branch. Although the defenders fought behind breastworks that had been set up before the battle, their line had a weak spot in its center that was exploited by the attacking Federal soldiers. When the center of the line was penetrated, many of the militia broke, forcing a general retreat of the entire Confederate force. General Branch was unable to regain control of his troops until they had retreated to Kinston, more than 30 miles (about 50 km) away. New Bern came under Federal control, and remained so for the rest of the war.

New Bern lies on the left (southwest) bank of the Neuse River, about 37 miles (60 km) above its exit into Pamlico Sound. The river is broad in this vicinity, and is deep enough that vessels that can navigate the sound can also ply the river. In the colonial era, the town was quite important as a seaport, but by the time of the Civil War Morehead City and Beaufort had largely supplanted it. Nevertheless, New Bern was still a significant military target, as the railroad (Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad) that connected the coast with the interior passed through the city. A short distance further up, at Goldsboro (spelled Goldsborough in the 19th century), the line crossed the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, noted for keeping the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia supplied throughout the war. Thus, if New Bern were to fall into Federal hands, an important link in the supply chain of that army would be broken.


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