History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

2 FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT. 1862
and the movement commenced. The enemy was found strongly posted in earth
works on the north-west corner of the island, nearly surrounded by an impenetrable swamp, approached in front by a single causeway, which was swept by
the guns of the fort. Upon arriving at the edge of the swamp, Reno's Brigade
was sent to the left, to cut off the enemy's retreat south, while. Foster was
directed to penetrate the swamp to the right of the road, and attack the enemy
upon that flank. Hartranft soon found his way completely blocked, and returned
upon the track of Foster, leaving two companies of the Fifty-first, which had
the advance, still groping in the mire. But before he had reached the lines,
Foster had already opened upon the enemy with infantry and artillery, and as
the regiment came into position on the right of the line, Foster ordered a final
charge, and the enemy was driven from his works, and fled in confusion. The
demonstration upon the left of the road served to heighten his confusion, as he
anticipated that his way of retreat was effectually broken. A hot pursuit was
immediately made, and the entire force, with numerous heavy guns and small
arms, was captured.
On the 3d of March the regiment embarked for the expedition to Newbern,
and on the 4th changed its muskets for Enfield Rifles. The fleet sailed on the
11th, and entered the Neuse River on the 12th, anchoring off Slocum's Creek,
fifteen miles from Newbern, where, on the following day, the regiment debarked. A portion, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Bell, was detailed to
assist in moving the artillery. The rain was descending in torrents, and the
roads were soon trodden into a stiff mud, which rendered the movement of the
pieces next to impossible. Many of the men lost their shoes, and went into
battle on the following day barefoot. But without faltering or pausing by the
way,-they toiled on over the weary miles, and brought up the pieces in time for
the attack. For this important service, General Burnside personally thanked
Lieutenant Colonel Bell. In the meantime Colonel Hartranft, with the remaining companies, pushed on with the advance column. Upon its arrival in front
of the enemy's earth-works, dispositions for attack were made, Foster occupying the right, Reno the left, and Parke in support upon the centre. The enemy's
line upon the left was masked by timber, and in the thick fog which prevailed
the extent of his works was undiscovered. They proved to be of great strength,
consisting of thirteen finished redans" bristling with cannon, protected in
front "by an almost impassable morass filled with fallen timber,"* and stretching away far beyond the railroad, where his right was supposed to rest. Foster attacked upon his left; but the enemy concentrating his strength proved
more than a match for him.
As soon as he could gain his position on the left, Reno attacked, and the
battle soon became general, raging with great fury for three and a half hours.
The Fifty-first had been held in support, and though exposed to a severe fire
had not been allowed to return a single shot. General Reno becoming impatient at the delay, and at the losses he was sustaining, ordered up Colonel
Hartranft for the decisive charge. Forming within a short distance of the rebel
intrenchments, the regiment was led forward through the ranks of the Fiftyfirst New York, which cheered the column as it passed, to a little hill beyond.
General Reno, in person, his face beaming with an expression seen only in battle, ordered the charge. With determined valor the regiment rushed down a
* General Reno's Offcial Report.