New Bern in Craven County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Fight Along Bullen Branch

Photographed by Mike McKeown, January 16, 2026

1. The Fight Along Bullen Branch Marker

Inscription.

The Fight Along Bullen Branch. . Reno readjusted his lines to face a new foe that now emerged through the fog across Bullen Branch. Anchoring his line on the remaining right wing of the 21st Massachusetts, Reno deployed his brigade extending his line to his left. As his new battle line extended, each regiment found more Confederates., Back in the Brickyard, with the sounds of a larger fight growing behind him, Lieutenant Colonel Clark realized that he and his 200 men were on their own. Clark's initial attack had cleared the enemy from the Brickyard, but the . Confederate line was stretched Out before him for over a mile. If he remained in the Brickyard his men could very well be cut to pieces. Determined to keep the advantage, Clark ordered his men to fix bayonets and charge. The disorganized Confederate line collapsed as Clark's men advanced down the line of breastworks., On the opposite banks of Bullen Branch the Confederates under the command of Colonel Vance, 26th North Carolina, manned a series of earthworks. His left wing, commanded by Major Carmichael, opened long range fire on the Federals as they emerged from the fog. Carmichael was soon reinforced by Colonel Avery, 33rd North Carolina, and together they kept the initial Federal advance in check., Across the railroad the Confederates fared much worse. With the collapse of the militia in the Brickyard, the 35th North Carolina and Brem's Battery were the next to flee. Colonel Campbell then ordered the 7th North Carolina out of the breastworks to face this attack. The 7th North Carolina redeployed to a small ravine behind the lines and with bayonets fixed they emerged to drive the enemy back As his men secured the Confederate center, Branch realized he had too few men to defend this half-mile section of the line against another attack., (captions) , Fort Thompson battles Federal navy gunboats, Medal of Honor , Private Orlando E. Caruana , Compnay K, 51st New YorK , "At New Bern, North Carolina, brought off the wounded color Sergeant and the Colors under a heavy fire of the enemy.", Situation at 8:30 to 9:30 AM

Reno readjusted his lines to face a new foe that now emerged through the fog across Bullen Branch. Anchoring his line on the remaining right wing of the 21st Massachusetts, Reno deployed his brigade extending his line to his left. As his new battle line extended, each regiment found more Confederates.

Back in the Brickyard, with the sounds of a larger fight growing behind him, Lieutenant Colonel Clark realized that he and his 200 men were on their own. Clark's initial attack had cleared the enemy from the Brickyard, but the . Confederate line was stretched Out before him for over a mile. If he remained in the Brickyard his men could very well be cut to pieces. Determined to keep the advantage, Clark ordered his men to fix bayonets and charge. The disorganized Confederate line collapsed as Clark's men advanced down the line of breastworks.

On the opposite banks of Bullen Branch the Confederates under the command of Colonel Vance, 26th North Carolina, manned a series of earthworks. His left wing, commanded by Major Carmichael, opened long range fire on the Federals as they emerged from the fog. Carmichael was soon reinforced

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

by Colonel Avery, 33rd North Carolina, and together they kept the initial Federal advance in check.

Across the railroad the Confederates fared much worse. With the collapse of the militia in the Brickyard, the 35th North Carolina and Brem's Battery were the next to flee. Colonel Campbell then ordered the 7th North Carolina out of the breastworks to face this attack. The 7th North Carolina redeployed to a small ravine behind the lines and with bayonets fixed they emerged to drive the enemy back As his men secured the Confederate center, Branch realized he had too few men to defend this half-mile section of the line against another attack.

(captions)
Fort Thompson battles Federal navy gunboats

Medal of Honor
Private Orlando E. Caruana
Compnay K, 51st New YorK
"At New Bern, North Carolina, brought off the wounded color Sergeant and the Colors under a heavy fire of the enemy."

Situation at 8:30 to 9:30 AM

Erected by New Bern Historical Society. (Marker Number G7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 14, 1862.

Location. 35° 2.846′ N, 77° 0.958′ W.

Photographed by Mike McKeown, January 16, 2026

2. The Fight Along Bullen Branch Marker

Marker is third from the left in the row of markers

Marker is in New Bern, North Carolina, in Craven County. It can be reached from Battlefield Trail 0.3 miles Taberna Way, on the right when traveling south. One of several markers located south of the New Bern Battlefield Park Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Battlefield Trail, New Bern NC 28560, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Attack in the Brickyard (here, next to this marker); Final Stand (within shouting distance of this marker); Breakthrough at the Brickyard (within shouting distance of this marker);

Paid Advertisement

Battle of New Bern (within shouting distance of this marker); The Burnside Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); New Bern Battlefield Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Advance From Slocum's Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Opening Volleys (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Bern.

Also see . . .
1. New Bern Battlefield Park (New Bern Historical Society). (Submitted on January 17, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)
2. 21st Massachusetts Infantry Regiment (The Civil War in the East). (Submitted on January 17, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 97 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.