Battle of New Bern

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Battle of New Bern
Part of the American Civil War
The advance of the Gunboats up the river to New Berne, N. Carolina. Passing the Barricade. Valentine, Herbert Eugene, artist.
Date March 14, 1862 Location Craven County Result Union victory
Combatants
United States of America	Confederate States of America
Commanders
Ambrose E. Burnside	Lawrence O'B. Branch
Strength
Expeditionary Force of Foster's, Reno's, and Parke's Brigades	5 regiments, militia
Casualties
476	609

Burnside's North Carolina Expedition
Roanoke Island – Elizabeth City – New Berne – Fort Macon – South Mills – Tranter's Creek

The Battle of New Bern (also known as the Battle of New Berne) was fought on March 14, 1862, near the city of New Bern, North Carolina, as part of Burnside's North Carolina Expedition of the American Civil War.

On March 11, Brigadier General Ambrose Burnside's command launched from Roanoke Island to rendezvous with Union gunboats at Hatteras Inlet for an attack on New Bern. The defending Confederate commander was Brigadier General Lawrence Branch. On March 13, the fleet under the command of Louis M. Goldsborough made its way up the Neuse River and disembarked on the river's south bank only a few miles from the city's defenses. On March 14, three brigades under John G. Foster, Jesse L. Reno, and John G. Parke attacked along the railroad and drove the Confederates out of their fortifications after less than a half day of fighting. The Federals captured nine forts and 41 heavy guns. Despite several Confederate attempts to recover the town, it remained an occupied Union base until the end of the war.

[edit] References

• National Park Service battle description