Operations Against Newbern in 1864.
REPORT OF GENERAL PICKETT.
Head-quarters Department North Carolina
February 15, 1864.
General,—I have the honor to report that, in accordance with instructions received from General Lee, under date of January 20, 1864, the expedition left Kingston as follows:
General Barton with his own brigade and that of Kemper, and three regiments of Ranson's, eight rifle-pieces, six Napoleons, and six hundred cavalry on the morning of the 30th ultimo to cross the Trent and take the works in front of Newbern, in reverse, and prevent the enemy reinforced by land or water. Later in the day I sent off the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Virginia to report to Colonel Dearing on the north side of the Neuse river—with this three pieces of artillery,—Whitford's regiment, and three hundred cavalry. He was to have attacked, if practicable, "Fort Anderson"—Barrington's. Commander Wood, of the navy, with his boat party, left on the 31st ultimo, and I, with Hoke's brigade, three regiments of Corse's and two of Clingman's
