Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro (North Carolina) expedition, December, 1862

Excerpt

Major General J. G. Foster commenced a movement of his army from New Berne this morning. At 3 p. m. we came upon the enemy's pickets (near our present camping ground), when three prisoners were taken by the advance guard of the Third New York Cavalry. In attempting to press forward we found the road densely blockaded by felled trees; this blockade extended for several hundred yards, being situated in the midst of a swamp possessing an abundance of creeks. Owing to this obstruction it became absolutely necessary to halt here for the night. During the same time the woods were cleared and with great rapidity, too, by pioneers from several regiments and a strong force of "pioneer contrabands"—the latter under the direction of the civil engineer of this department, Henry W. Wilson.

December 12, 1862.

During the past night the Ninth New Jersey Infantry, under command of Colonel Heckmann, advanced through the swamp and took up a position within three miles of Trenton, engaging the enemy successfully for a short time.

At 9.30 o'clock to-day we came upon a body of rebel cavalry and an ambush of rebel infantry. Captain Marshall, with Company B., of the Third New York Cavalry, charged the enemy's cavalry, driving them ahead, taking seven prisoners and wounding or killing the captain of the company, besides killing and wounding a few others. In this charge we lost four men, who were taken prisoners; also Franklin Kingsley, who was wounded in the leg, and Augustus G. Butler, who was wounded in the side. We had other light skirmishing during the day; also took a few more prisoners.

December 13, 1862.

We advanced at daylight, making several feints on various roads, but always finding the enemy posted in such a manner as to be able to destroy the bridges and otherwise retarding our movements. About 9 o'clock, Company K., Captain Cole, of the Third New York Cavalry, came upon the enemy at a place called Southwest Creek. The rebels had an earthwork thrown up directly across the road. Behind it they had posted four guns. Captain Cole attempted to charge across the bridge, but found it partially destroyed. He then retired a short distance, after leaving John Costello wounded in the face, when the rebels opened fire with their artillery and small arms. We returned the fire with carbines, driving the enemy for several minutes from a piece of his artillery, which was posted at the other end of the bridge. About this time Lieutenant-Colonel Mix arrived with a force of cavalry and a section of the Third New York Artillery, under command of Lieutenant Day. This section opened fire with shot with good effect.

Near 10 o'clock the Ninth New Jersey Infantry was brought into action; also Morrison's battery, of the Third New York Artillery. By the aid of both of these forces the enemy was soon driven from his position. As soon as the battery ceased firing, the Ninth New Jersey forded the creek and charged upon the battery. The battery was taken, the old flag of the Union waved over it, and cheers were given and an interesting scene enacted.

While the bridge was being rebuilt, and while the "black pioneer brigade" was again making itself eminently useful, Colonel Heckmann pushed forward with the Ninth New Jersey, again engaging the enemy, capturing a Rodman gun, killing three of the enemy and taking a few more prisoners. Colonel Heckmann was soon after supported by Brigadier-General Wessell's brigade.

Just as the sun was sinking in the west we came upon two regiments of rebel infantry and two of their pieces of artillery, posted on a rise of ground behind a dense woods. The Ninth New Jersey once more advanced and drove the enemy back upon their guns after a rapid and sharp fire, when Captain Morrison's battery, of the Third New York Artillery, forced him to retire from his position, ceasing his fire altogether....