Albert I. Newell

Researcher: Matt Lovett

          Private Albert I Newell was a native of Massachusetts who fought in the Civil War. He was in the 23 Massachusetts Infantry. Newell was part of Company K. During Albert’s time he survived with the 23 Massachusetts Infantry he fought in a number of battles. One battle was the Battle of Roanoke Island. Another battle was the Battle of New Bern. He also fought in the battle of Wyse Fork. Newell remained privet throughout his Civil War career.

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             Newell and his regiment were part of the 7,500 Union soldiers at Roanoke Island. Roanoke Island is also known as Fort Huger. The battle was located at Dare County. The battle started on February 7th and went to February 8th. The Union soldiers were on the southwestern side of the island and they planed to launch the operation from Fort Monroe. The Union army assaulted the Confederate forts. The Confederates surrendered after losing 100 men. Coronal H.M. Shaw surrendered about 2,500 soldiers and 32guns. This battle helped the Union secure an important outpost on the Atlantic Coast and also the battle tightened the blockade. The battle of Roanoke Island was a Union victory.

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            Another battle Newell and his regiment were involved in was the Battle of New Bern. The battle of New Bern was on March 14, 1862. The 12,000 troops departed from Roanoke Island for New Bern. The fleet stopped at Slocum’s Creek and the next morning the battle began. The Union army deployed three full brigades to the shore. These brigades were equipped with two rifled wizard cannons and they also had a battery of six boat howitzers. The Union troops were up against 4,500 untrained Confederate troops. The Confederates were also poorly armed. The Battle took four hours before the Confederates retreated off the field. This battle was big for the Union because they gained a valuable port, which later became a pain in the side of the Confederacy. The Confederates suffered 68 men killed, 116 wounded, and 400 captured men, while the Union army lost 90 men who were killed, 385 who were wounded, and one man who was captured. Newell was one of the brave soldiers who fought at the battle of New Bern.

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            Albert was also one of many who fought at the battle of Wyse Fork. The battle of Wyse Fork lasted from March 7th to March 8th. The battle was fought in Lenoir Country. There were 20,500 total soldiers who fought at Wyse Fork. The Union had 12,000 of those troops and the Confederates had the other 8,500. On March 8th, the Confederates attempted to defeat the Union flanks. The Confederates operation was halted because of faulty communications. On March 9th and 10th, the Union army received reinforcements and beat back Bragg and his confederate soldiers. Bragg had to retreat across the Neuse River. Newell and his regiment helped beat back Bragg’s army and assisted the Union in another victory over the Confederates.

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            Albert I. Newell remained in the 23 Massachusetts Infantry for the duration of his services. Newell was never promoted past privet. Some of the battles Newell was in were important victories for the Union. Newell was one of the many men from Massachusetts who fought in the Civil War. Newell was also fortunate enough to not have died during the war. Albert I. Newell returned to Massachusetts after his services in the Union army.