With Roanoke Island and the Hatteras Inlet Batteries in Union hands, Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside (U.S. Army, Coast Division, Department of North Carolina) next moved on New Bern. His 11,000-man amphibious force landed seventeen (17) below the city at Slocum's Creek on March 13, 1862, and after advancing to within six (6) miles of New Bern, his forces encountered a Confederate defensive line of about 4,000 men led by Brig. Gen. Lawrence O. Branch (CSA, Department of North Carolina, Pamlico District), with seven (7) additional companies in reserve behind this line. During the afternoon of March 13th, two (2) companies of the 19th NC Regiment (2nd Cavalry), Company A and Company K, were dismounted and ordered to report to Col. Zebulon B. Vance (26th NC Regiment) on the Confederate right.

Fort Thompson below New Bern, NC - March 14, 1862

On March 13th, the 7th NC Regiment (State Troops) arrived at Fort Thompson, about five (5) miles below New Bern, and Brig. Gen. Lawrence O. Branch placed this regiment on the right of the fort. Brig. Gen. Branch's left line was anchored by Fort Thompson, a thirteen (13) gun sod installation, and his line extended westward for approximately one (1) mile to the Atlantic & North Carolina Rail Road, where, because of swampy terrain, it was recessed 150 yards at a brickyard. From that point, the line, consisting of a series of redans, stretched westward behind a small stream called Bullen's Branch. The "brickyard gap" was assigned to Col. Henry J.B. Clark's Special Battalion of NC Militia, which had been hastily assembled less than two (2) weeks ago and which was armed with hunting rifles and shotguns. The 26th NC Regiment (State Troops) was stationed on the right of the "brickyard gap," next to the Militia.

The 27th NC Regiment (State Troops) was on the left of the Confederate line between Fort Thompson and the Beaufort County Road, and was mostly involved in light skirmishing and sharpshooting, but otherwise not very heavily engaged. The 28th NC Regiment (State Troops) arrived at New Bern on the day of the battle, March 14th, and was placed in a rear-guard position fo help cover the Confederate retreat. The 33rd NC Regiment (State Troops) was placed in reserve behind the main line of battle. The 37th NC Regiment (State Troops) was the third of four regiments to the right of the brickyard.

At 9:00 p.m. on March 13th, Brig. Gen. Lawrence O. Branch (CSA/NC) ordered Col. Henry J.B. Clark (Clark's Special Battalion of NC Militia) to report to Col. Reuben P. Campbell (7th NC Regiment), but Col. Campbell was not in camp, he had ridden closer to New Bern to reconnoiter fall-back positions, so Col. Clark reported to Lt. Col. Edward G. Haywood (7th NC Regiment). Lt. Col. Haywood ordered Col. Clark to have his militiamen at the railroad depot at 5:00 a.m. the next day. Col. Clark brought with him 264 men into the battle line; 45 men had been detailed to assist in mounting a cannon, while 20 more were detailed for hospital service.

The immediate point of danger was the brickyard and the kiln where the original defensive line ended at the railroad. There was a short line of earthworks running along the railroad bank for about sixty to eighty (60-80) yards, but this did not connect to the line on the other side of the tracks. Brig. Gen. Branch drove loopholes into the kiln, making it a strong defensive location, then placed an artillery battery nearby to strengthen the position. However, as they arrived on the evening of March 13th, Union forces drove off the artillery and laborers working on the kiln.

On March 13th, the Union army advanced about six (6) miles from Slocum's Creek and reached the Croatan Breastwork [probably the installation known as Fort Dixie], the outermost part of the New Bern defensive network, stretching from the mouth of Otter Creek to a swamp. Click Here for locations of all known forts and camps near New Bern. During the night of March 13th, the Union forces camped very near the Confederate line at Fort Thompson, and both sides made their final troop deployments for the upcoming engagement. That night was dark and stormy and both sides were drenched with the rain.

On the morning of March 14th, the Union forces penetrated the Confederate line to the right of the 7th NC Regiment (State Troops), then quickly focused on breaking through at the "brickyard gap" where the NC Militia were defending the Confederate line. The battle began in earnest with the firing of a Parrott gun belonging to Capt. Alexander C. Latham's battery (Branch Artillery) led by Lt. Woodbury Wheeler, Jr. (POW). This shot dispersed a squad of Union horsemen who seemed to be reconnoitering under cover of the nearby woods.

Around 7:00 a.m. the firing became general from the Union troops along the entire Condederate line. About an hour later, Col. James Sinclair (35th NC Regiment) met Col. Reuben P. Campbell (7th NC Regiment), and in much excitement stated that the enemy had flanked him and was coming up the trenches which had been vacated by the militia. He was soon forced to retire his regiment in retreat.

Col. Henry J.B. Clark (Clark's Special Battalion of NC Militia) ordered his militiamen to fire by file, but they ceased firing after only three (3) round apiece. Due to the smoke, they could not see what they were firing at. When the smoke cleared, it was evident that the Union army knew where to go to do the most damage, they were soon able to fire into the rear of Col. Clark's line, "doing considerable execution and causing confusion in my ranks," but Col. Clark rallied them with an assurance that Brig. Gen. Branch would soon send reinforcements.

Brig. Gen. Branch ordered the 33rd NC Regiment (State Troops) to drive off the Union forces, but they didn't get into position in time to make a difference. The Union pressure on the rear of the Confederate line increased steadily and soon members of the 21st MA Infantry were seen crossing the railroad, then planting their flag on top of a building. Col. Clark considered ordering a bayonet charge, but quickly changed his mind, realizing that his men would just get slaughtered. Instead, Col. Clark ordered a retreat, and his entire battalion gave way, exposing the flank of the 35th NC Regiment (State Troops). When it was obvious that the 35th NC Regiment had given way also, Col. Clark lost control of his battalion.

Although the rout of Clark's Special Battalion of NC Militia did not end the 1st Battle of New Bern, it provided to be the turning point. Brig. Gen. Lawrence O. Branch did not blame Col. Clark or his battalion, but instead he seemed to direct most of his ire at Col. James Sinclair of the 35th NC Regiment (State Troops).

Union Troops Final Charge at the 1st Battle of New Bern, NC - March 14, 1862

The battle continued until about 12 o'clock when the Union forces turned the 26th NC Regiment's left at the brickyard, pillaged its camp, and forced a full retreat of the entire Confederate line. Most made their way to Bryce's Creek trying to get to the Pollocksville Road, but there was only one small boat, so many attempted to swim across, including Col. Zebulon B. Vance. He soon procured three (3) more boats with which his regiment used to speed up the crossing. Col. Vance reported that he saw three (3) of his men drown at this crossing. Upon reaching Kinston safely, there were no official reports of casualties from the 26th NC Regiment, but we are aware of several officers killed at 1st New Bern and other casualties via the list provided in later reports.

The 7th NC Regiment (State Troops) arrived at Kinston on March 16th, and reported 6 killed, 15 wounded, and 30 missing. The 9th NC Volunteers (State Troops) made their way to Kinston, with no reports of casualties.

The 27th NC Regiment (State Troops) were at the railroad depot when they were ordered to retreat towards Kinston by way of Tuscoraro, north and west of New Bern. Only supporting the withdrawal after arriving late, the 28th NC Regiment retired to Kinston, with six (6) men reported missing. The 33rd NC Regiment (State Troops) fell back through Trenton to Kinston, where it reached on March 16th, reporting 32 killed, 28 wounded, and 144 captured. The 35th NC Regiment (State Troops) went to Kinston, and reported 5 killed, 11 wounded, and 9 missing. After hastily burning its baggage, the 37th NC Regiment (State Troops) went to Kinston, and reported 1 killed, 3 wounded, and 8 missing.

The Independent Companies had 7 wounded. The Special Battalion of NC Militia reported 4 killed and 15 wounded.

Destroyed Confederate Fort South of New Bern, NC - March 1862

CSA, Department of North Carolina, Pamlico District:
Brig. Gen. Lawrence O. Branch (NC),
Assistant Adjutant General (Lt. Col.) W.G. Robinson,
Aide-de-Camp (Capt.) Philip L. Burwell,
Aide-de-Camp W.E. Cannady,
Aide-de-Camp Francis T. Hawks,
CSA Engineer (Capt.) Meade,

7th NC Regiment (State Troops):
Col. Reuben P. Campbell, 
Lt. Col. Edward G. Haywood,
Maj. Edward D. Hall,
Adjutant John E. Brown,
Company A – Capt. Junius A. Hill,
Company B – Capt. Robert S. Young,
Company C – Capt. Robert B. MacRae,
Company D – Capt. William Lee Davidson,
Company E – Capt. Alsey J. Taylor,
Company F – Capt. John M. Turner (wounded),
Company G – Capt. Hiram Weatherspoon,
Company H – Capt. James G. Harris,
Company I – Capt. James R. McAulay,
Company K – Capt. Matthew H. Peoples,

9th NC Volunteers (2nd Cavalry) (State Troops):
Col. Samuel B. Spruill,
Lt. Col. William G. Robinson,
Maj. John W. Woodfin,
Adjutant John M. Poteat,
Company A – "Cherokee Rangers" – Capt. George W. Hayes,
Company B – Capt. Clinton M. Andrews,
Company C – Capt. John G. Boothe,
Company D – Capt. James W. Strange,
Company E – Capt. Columbus A. Thomas,
Company F – Capt. Barzillai L. Cole,
Company G – Capt. Lewis E. Satterthwaite,
Company H – Capt. John Randolph,
Company I – Capt. Jesse L. Bryan,
Company K – Capt. Josiah Turner, Jr.

10th NC Regiment (1st Artillery) (State Troops) Detachment:
Company C – Capt. Thomas H. Brem,
1st Company I – Capt. John N. Whitford,

26th NC Regiment (State Troops):
Col. Zebulon B. Vance,
Lt. Col. Henry K. Burgwyn,
Maj. Abner B. Carmichael (KIA),
Adjutant James B. Jordan,
Company A – "Jeff Davis Mountaineers" – Capt. Andrew N. McMillan (W)
Company B – "Waxhaw Jackson Guards" – Capt. John J.C. Steele,
Company C – "Wilkes Volunteers" – Capt. Alexander H. Horton,
Company D – "Wake Guards" – Capt. Oscar R. Rand (POW),
Company E – "Chatham Independent Guards" – Capt. William S. Webster,
Company F – "Hilbriten Guards" – Capt. Nathaniel P. Rankin,
Company G – "Chatham Boys" – Capt. John R. Lane,
Company H – "Moore Independents" – Capt. William P. Martin (KIA),
Company I – "Caldwell Guards" – Capt. Wilson A. White,
Company K – "Pee Dee Wild Cats" – Capt. James C. Caraway,

27th NC Regiment (State Troops):
Col. John Sloan,
Maj. John A. Gilmer, Jr.,
Company A – "Goldsborough Rifles" – Capt. Stephen D. Phillips,
Company B – "Guilford Grays" – Capt. William Adams,
Company C – "North Carolina Guards" – Capt. George F. Whitfield,
Company D – "Tuckahoe Braves" – Capt. Calvin C. Herring,
Company E – "Marlboro Guards" – Capt. Jason P. Joyner,
Company F – "Perquimans Beauregards" – Capt. William Nixon,
Company G – "Orange Guards" – Capt. Joseph C. Webb,
Company H – "Pitt Volunteers" – Capt. Richard W. Singletary,
Company I – "Southern Rights Infantry" – Capt. William P. Ward,
Company K – "Saulston Volunteers" – Capt. Benjamin T. Bardin,

28th NC Regiment (State Troops):
Col. James H. Lane,
Lt. Col. Thomas L. Lowe,
Maj. Richard E. Reeves,
Adjutant Duncan A. McRae,
Company A – "Surry Regulators" – Capt. William M. Norman,
Company B – "Gaston Invincibles" – Capt. Samuel N. Stowe,
Company C – "South Fork Farmers" – Capt. Samuel D. Lowe,
Company D – "Stanly Yankee Hunters" – Capt. William J. Montgomery,
Company E – "Montgomery Grays" – Capt. William D. Barringer,
Company F – "Yadkin Boys" – Capt. John H. Kenyon,
Company G – "Guards of Independence" – Capt. William J. Martin,
Company H – "Cleveland Regulators" – Capt. William W. Wright,
Company I – "Yadkin Stars" – Capt. William H.A. Speer,
Company K – "Stanly Guards" – Capt. John A. Moody,

33rd NC Regiment (State Troops):
Col. Clark M. Avery (POW),
Lt. Col. Robert F. Hoke,
Maj. William G. Lewis,
Company A – Capt. Robert V. Cowan,
Company B – "Clark's Guards" – Capt. Frederick H. Jenkins,
Company C – "Cabarrus Hornets" – Capt. Jeremiah M. Kesler,
Company D – "Wilkes Regulators" – Capt. Oliver T. Parks,
Company E – Capt. William T. Parker,
Company F – "Dixie Invincibles" – Capt. Thomas W. Mayhew (POW),
Company G – "Cumberland Rangers" – Capt. Robert Wooten (POW),
Company H – Capt. William M.B. Swindell,
Company I – "Confederate Stars" – Capt. George C. Stowe,
Company K – Capt. Andrew J. McIntire,

35th NC Regiment (State Troops):
Col. James Sinclair,
Lt. Col.. Marshal D. Craton,
Maj. Oliver C. Petway,
Adjutant Thomas J. Oates,
Company A – "Onslow Rough & Readys" – Capt. Claude Barry,
Company B – "Marion Men" – Capt. William B. Halyburton,
Company C – "Scotch Riflemen" – Capt. John M. Kelley,
Company D – "Haw River Boys" – Capt. Hardy J. Lasater,
Company E – "Person Boys" – Capt. John G. Jones,
Company F – "Redwine Beauregards" – Capt. Thomas W. Redwine,
Company G – "Henderson Rifles" – Capt. Joseph P. Jordan,
Company H – "Mecklenburg Farmers" – Capt. Hugh M. Dixon,
Company I – "Wayne County Volunteers" – Capt. Angus J. Finlayson,
Company K – "Burke & Catawba Sampsons" – Capt. James T. Johnson,

36th NC Regiment (2nd Artillery) (State Troops) Detachment:
1st Company E – Capt. James M. Mayo,
1st Company G – Capt. Benjamin Leecraft,

37th NC Regiment (State Troops):
Col. Charles C. Lee,
Lt. Col. William M. Barbour,
Maj. John G. Bryan,
Adjutant William T. Nicholson,
Company A – "Ashe Beauregard Riflemen" – Capt. John Hartzog,
Company B – "Watauga Marksmen" – Capt. Jonathan Horton,
Company C – "Mecklenburg Wide Awakes" – Capt. James M. Potts,
Company D – "North Carolina Defenders" – Capt. John B. Ashcraft,
Company E – "Watauga Minute Men" – Capt. William Y. Farthing,
Company F – "Western Carolina Stars" – Capt. Charles N. Hickerson,
Company G – "Alexander Soldiers" – Capt. James Reed,
Company H – "Gaston Blues" – Capt. William R. Rankin,
Company I – "Mecklenburg Rifles" – Capt. John K. Harrison,
Company K – "Alleghany Tigers" – Capt. John Ross,

40th NC Regiment (3rd Artillery) (State Troops) Detachment:
Company A – Lt. Ancram W. Ezzell,

Independent Companies (State Troops):
Herring Artillery – Capt. William A. Herring,
Gatlin Artillery – Capt. James S. Lane,
Branch Artillery – Capt. Alexander C. Latham,
Whitehurst's Artillery – Capt. Charles C. Whitehurst,
Robinson Artillery – Capt. Edward B. Mallett,
Beaufort Plow Boys – Capt. Henry Harding,

Col. Henry J.B. Clark's Special Battalion of NC Militia:
Col. Henry J.B. Clark,
Maj. Joseph N. Jones,
Company A – Capt. Richard A. Russell,
Company B – Capt. John A. Guion,
Company C – Capt. John S. Davis,
Company E – Capt. David H. Bridgers,
Company F – Capt. Andrew R. Davis,
Company H – Capt. John R. Coats,
Company I – Capt. Jesse Hinnant,
Company K – Capt. Alexander Brown,
Company L – Capt. Everett A. Bizzell,

U.S. Army, Coast Division, Department of North Carolina:
Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside,
Topographical Engineer (Capt.) R.S. Williamson,
Chief QM (Capt.) Herman Biggs,
Chief Commissary (Capt.) E.R. Goodrich,

1st Brigade – Brig. Gen. John G. Foster,
Aide-de-Camp (Capt.) Daniel Messinger,
Aide-de-Camp (Lt.) E.N. Strong,
Aide-de-Camp (Lt.) James H. Strong,
Aide-de-Camp (Lt.) James M. Pendleton,
10th CT Infantry – Lt. Col. Albert Drake,
23rd MA Infantry – Col. John Krutz,
24th MA Infantry – Col. Thomas G. Stevenson,
25th MA Infantry – Col. Edwin M. Upton,
27th MA Infantry – Col. Horace C. Lee,

2nd Brigade – Brig. Gen. Jesse L. Reno,
Aide-de-Camp (Capt.) Montgomery Ritchie,
21st MA Infantry – Lt. Col. William S. Clark,
9th NJ Infantry – Lt. Col. Charles A. Heckman,
51st NY Infantry – Col. Edward Ferrero,
51st PA Infantry – Col. John F. Hartranft,

3rd Brigade - Brig. Gen. John G. Parke,
8th CT Infantry – Col. Edward Harland,
11th CT Infantry – Lt. Col.. Charles Mathewson,
4th RI Infantry – Col. Isaac P. Rodman,
5th RI Infantry Detachment – Maj. John Wright

Unassigned Detachments:
1st NY Marine Artillery Detachment – Col. William A. Howard,
99th NY (Union Coast Guard) Detachment – Lt. Col. Charles W. Tillotson,
New York Rocket Battalion – Maj. Thomas W. Lion,

U.S. Army Gunboats:
Picket – Capt. T.P. Ives,
Alice Price,
Cossack,
Highlander – Capt. E.G. Dayton,
Pilot Boy,
Guide,
Vedette,
Recruit,
Ranger,
Lancer,
Pioneer,
Union,
Alert,
Eva Bell,
Shrapnel,
Grapeshot,
Eastern Queen,
Curlew,
Eagle,

U.S. Navy, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron:
Commander Stephen C. Rowan,

U.S.S. Philadelphia (flag ship) – Lt. William N. Jeffers,
U.S.S. Southfield – Acting Volunteer Lt. Charles F.W. Behm,
U.S.S. Delaware – Lt. S.P. Quackenbush,
U.S.S. Stars & Stripes – Lt. Reed Werden,
U.S.S. Louisiana – Lt. A. Murray,
U.S.S. Hetzel – Lt. H.K. Davenport,
U.S.S. Underwriter – Lt. W.N. Jeffers,
U.S.S. Commodore Perry – Lt. C.W. Flusser,
U.S.S. Valley City – Lt. J.C. Chaplin,
U.S.S. Commodore Barney – Acting Volunteer Lt. R.T. Renshaw,
U.S.S. Hunchback – Acting Volunteer Lt. Edmund R. Colhoun,
U.S.S. Morse – Acting Master Peter Hayes,
U.S.S. John L. Lockwood – Acting Master G.W. Graves,
U.S.S. Henry Brinker – Acting Master John E. Giddings

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North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume I, P.51-567 (22 entries).
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume II, P.98-99.
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume IV, P.394-395.
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume VII, P.455.
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume VIII, P.1, P.99.
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume IX, P.112, P.354, P.462.
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume XIX, P.21-25, P.348, P.363.
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume XX, P.198-203.

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume IX, P.197-269.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_New_Bern_(1862)