The New York herald., 1862-12-20

river with long fertilization on the opposite
sde This fort.ncaion hundred and seventy hvese
long thoroughly commanded all the approaches TO tho
bridge. In IL and supporting it wero three companies
light artillery, four companies Of heavy artillery, two
North Carolina regiments, the Second, Seventeenth,
Eighteenth and Twenty third South Carolina rcsinents
portion Of the Third North Carolina cavalry part Of Major
Nethercotes battalion and the alegh detachment under
command Of Colonel Molet who wounded in the leg
In all about six thousand strong.
Tho Forty-Afth and Twenty third Massachusetts regi
ents advanced TO the right and helped 70 execute the
flank movement
While the above was being done, Captain Jacobs, with
his company Of the Third New York cavalry and some
light (Thrd New York) artillery, advanced on another
road to the right OF the main column and attracted as
well distracted the attention Of the enemy. Captain
Jacobs came upon regiment Of rebel infantry, engaged
them drove them of with the artillery and then charged
he across thereby saving quite important bridge
Another diversion created by Major Garrsrd, who
sent another road with portion Of his battalion
Of the Third New York cavalry piece Of As flying
artillery and two or three other light field pieces
The gunboas under command Of Captain Murray OF the
navy Lieutenant Colonel Manchester advanced up to
the blockade and kept up heavy firing
By this means General Evans myetiAed regard
ing order Of movements that he could not bring the
entire force under his command into operation in such
to untedy affect main column.
After sharp engagement Cor over three hours, we
drove the enemy from his ntrenchmens and got posses
sion Of the bridge The latter fred in three places
but the Ninth New Jersey, few of the Third New
York artillery and the Provost Marshal, Major Frank
p advanced in haste and put out the flames before the
fire had Gone any material injury. Immediately our ad
vance regiments crossed when the Tenth Connecticut ad
vanced upon the enemy and drove him the felds'
forcing to to the further end Of the town.
glxsres y. c., Dee. l4--Afternoon.
Your correspondent crossed with the Eighteenth reg
ment and the Ninth New jersey and found lying the
bridge three or four men, who had been shot down
smohcred by the smoke and burned by the ames also
an abundance OF Soon after found that had
captured eleven pieces Of artillery taken 400 prisoners
(a OF whom paroed by the Provost Marshal, 0o0
rounds Of heavy ammunition 500 stand Of arms, dozen
or so gun carriages and large quantity Of commssary
and quartermaster stores These latter were solely
saved through the exertous of Major Franklin found
them in flames at the storehonses. We found the rail-
road depot in flames, and that was also saved.
On looking around the town found every evidence
OF largo aud small shot having taken excellent effect
BY the time three Of regiments had crossed
Major General Foster despatched COL Potter under dag
Of trvce, 70 oommanicats with Gen. Evans and TO de-.
mand surrender Of his forces Tho nag recognized.
We found the rebel regiments retreang up the railroad
and the road and IN various ways, struggling and
otherwiee, toward Goldsboro. Gen. Evans refused
comply, high military grounds, nc. Soon after our
artillery commenced 10 shell tho rebels tho
town, firing llow-in fact 50 low that some Of the
shells swept very closely over our heads.
Gen. Evans then sent, by flag Of truce, his compl
mcnts &C., 70 Gen. Foster, and requested place Of
safety for the and children, be intended 70
turn the Ars from his artillery Our artillery ceased
firing, and the and children that could be found
were conducted to place Of safety, when found
preparing again action that the bird had flown that
Gen. Evans had succeeded during the nag Of truce opera
.ions in safely conducting on what remained Of his
entire command. We then advanced . short distance
and encamped for the night.
Our loss in wounded IL between 100 and 100. Our TO.
tal loss in killed, wounded and missing will not exceed
$50. Col. Gray, Of the Ninety.sixth New York, was
killed. Two or three other of'cers were wounded. We
cannot at this tmc ascertain the names Of these.
All the combinations worked we'll and General Foster
deserves great credit for not only his plan of operations
but also the effective n which he carried them
out.
General Foster will recommend Colonel Hickman, OF
the Ninth New Jersey for brgadier generashp. Colo
mel Hunt Of the Ninety.second New York, made two
splendid charges with his regiment and will also be
commended for brgadier generaship The Tenth Connec
ticut lost heavily They fought until they used up all
their ammunition and then advanced with the bayonst
General Foster highly commends Colonel Ledley, act
ing brgadier general Of artillery for the energetic and
skilful mabner in which he operated portion Of hi
pieces, or those brought into action.
During the engagement Captain Cole with Company X,
OF the Third New York cavalry, in position in
the nearest open field, ready for charge, such
thing was possible, Notwithstanding the shot aud shell
fell around the company on all Sides
During the whole affair all the troops engaged behaved
with great courage and promptly executed the orders o.
the commanding generals.
We advance FOR Goldsboro at daylight tomorrow.
on the road just after crossing tho bridge, we found
the following letter Ct evidently had been dropped
during the course Of the cncmy's hasiy re,reap;-
GoEpspoRo Dec. IA, 1862
GENERAL EvAxs-An the men havo here have been
sent to you You received thom last night Rogers Ia
nearly with you, four hanered strong ! understand
from that three other regiments are on their way
here from Petersburg. J. A. j. BRADFORD
We learned that the Rogers force arrived just in time
TO retreat
The rebels destroyed eighty or ninety bales of
cotton This we found burning we entered the town
Most Of IL belonged to sso,chman named Nicolo.
During the evenings house accidentally got on Are
when tho danes communicated to threo or four Others
all being destroyed. Energetic measures wero taken 10
subduc the flames.
Tho provost guard arrangement works admirably.
Little or no damage s being DONE The good conduct Of
the troops Is remarkable.
BRILLIANT CONDUCT OF TIE UNION TR0oPs-DErEAT
OF THE REBELS, AFTER FOUR HOURS FioHr-
CAPTURE OF FOUR HUNDRED PRISONERS, ELEVEN
PIECES OF ARTILLERY AND LARGE AMOUNT OF
STORES AND AMnuNTIoN-TuE UNION Loss-CoI.
GRAY, OF THE NINETy.sixTB NEW YORK voLuN-
TEERs, KfLLED-THE UNION TROOPS TO ADVANCE
UPON ooLDsBoRo, ETC.
KISsToS, N. G., Dec. 10, 1862.
An important movement has long been on foot looking
towards the capture Of Godsboro and Weldon and the
severance Of rebel railroad line Of communication
connecting the cotton staes with tho capital Of the so
called confeaerscy Preparations have for some tmc
been carried enable the force which was TO engage
In tho attempt 10 push TO successful ISSUE The ,ime
has now come when tho object and the Of execution
3 this movement may be safely revealed. The object
Of the expedition 70 capture Kinston, and then TO
take Goldsboro thereby cutting the Wilmington and wei
don Railroad which would isolate Wilmington and esc.
suslly cut on 10 supplies and renforcemsnts. That,