Fort Thompson

“View of New Berne, N. C., from the interior of Fort Thompson after its capture by the Federal forces- burning of Rosin Works, railway bridge and naval stores, and showing vessels sunk in the channel of the Neuse River, to prevent the approach of Federal gunboats. Captain Rowan, in his account of the doings of his gunboats, after modestly narrating the important services he rendered General Burnside the day previous in the debarkation of the land forces, thus recounts his own separate share of the expedition to New Berne: “At 6:30 A.M. on Friday, April 14th, 1862, the fleet steadily moved up and gradually closed in toward the batteries. The lower fortification was discovered to have been abandoned by the enemy. A boat was dispatched to it, and the Stars and Stripes planted on the ramparts. As we advanced the upper batteries opened fire upon us. The fire was returned with effect, the magazine of one exploding. Having proceeded in an extended line as far as the obstructions in the river would permit, the signal was made to follow movements of the flagship, and the whole fleet advanced in order, concentating our fire on Fort Thompson, mounting 13 guns, on which rested the enemy’s land defenses. The army having with great gallantry driven them out of these defenses, the fort was abandoned."” —Leslie, 1896

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