Newport Barracks, Newport, North Carolina
Posted by: 
showbizkid
N 34° 47.092 W 076° 51.477
18S E 330005 N 3850758
Quick Description: Newport Barracks were originally built by Confederates in 1861, then captured and greatly improved by Union troops in 1862. The barracks were lost briefly to Confederates in 1864, but then returned to Union hands.
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 7/27/2006 12:05:20 PM
Waymark Code: WMJD4
Views: 43
Long Description:The 7th North Carolina Infantry built Newport Barracks here as a
set of log winter quarters in 1861-1862. Union soldiers later took
possession and added a hospital, headquarters, stables, storehouse,
earthworks to protect the complex and an earthen redoubt called
Fort Ripley (later known locally as Fort Benjamin).
In January 1864, Confederate Gen. James G. Martin's force of
almost 2,000 men advanced from Wilmington towards Morehead City to
support Gen. George E. Pickett's expedition to recapture New Bern,
N.C. On February 2, Martin's Confederates overran nearby Union
outposts, then marched towards Newport Barracks. Union Lt. Col.
Valentine G. Barney commanded there with Company D, 2nd
Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, the 9th Vermont Infantry, and two
Calvary companies. The Vermonters deployed south of the barracks to
meet the attack.
About 4 p.m., Martin's men, advancing along the county road and
railroad, drove the Vermont troops back toward the barracks. The
Federal artillery company prematurely abandoned the forts on both
sides of the Newport River and retreated. Barney had no choice but
to retreat across the river about 6 pm after setting fire to the
barracks buildings. The railroad and road bridges were burned as
well, and the 9th Vermont retreated to Beaufort. U.S. losses were 5
dead and 10 wounded, and 30 captured, while Confederates lost 6 men
killed and 14 wounded. Martin's men captured valuable supplies and
equipment at the barracks, but on learning of the failure of
Pickett's attack on New Bern, they returned to Wilmington.
The old earthworks were destroyed in the 20th century.
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