Union Forces take New Berne, North Carolina

Union Forces take New Berne, North Carolina

On March 14, 1862, during the Civil War, Union forces took the strategic town of New Berne in Craven County, North Carolina. It was an important step in Union general Ambrose Burnside's North Carolina campaign and became the staging point for many later operations.

Burnside's forces were opposed by the Confederates under Brigadier General Lawrence Branch. On March 11, Burnside moved his forces from their coastal landing site at Roanoke Island. Supported by Union gunboats, on March 13 he moved up the Neuse River and landed his forces on the river's south bank near New Berne. The next day he attacked Branch's defenses with several brigades. After several hours of fighting, the Confederates were forced to abandon their positions and the Union took the town. Burnside also captured dozens of heavy artillery pieces.

New Berne was an important Union victory, securing as it did a town with strategic river and rail assets.