Location: Craven County
Campaign: Burnsides North Carolina Expedition (January-July 1862)
Date(s): March 14, 1862
Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside [US]; Brig. Gen. Lawrence OB. Branch [CS]
Forces Engaged: Expeditionary Force and Fosters, Renos, and Parkes Brigades [US]; 5 regiments, militia [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 1,080 total
Description: On March 11, Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnsides command embarked from Roanoke Island to rendezvous with Union gunboats at Hatteras Inlet for an expedition against New Berne. On March 13, the fleet sailed up the Neuse River and disembarked infantry on the rivers south bank to approach the New Berne defenses. The Confederate defense was commanded by Brig. Gen. Lawrence Branch. On March 14, John G. Fosters, Jesse Renos, and John G. Parkes brigades attacked along the railroad and after four hours of fighting drove the Confederates out of their fortifications. The Federals captured nine forts and 41 heavy guns and occupied a base which they would hold to the end of the war, in spite of several Confederate attempts to recover the town.
Result(s): Union victory