The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-12-23
The Battles i'm the East.
OF THE FIGHTING IN
THE VICINITY OF KINSTON AND
GOLDSROROTGH &c.


occurred in the eastern part Of this State, copy
from the Raleigh papers. 1t appears that the
| lighting first commenced below Kinston on Friday
! the 18th inst, ard ended on Wednesday the 17th
with the complete repulse Of the enemy. Consid-
erlng the many runors in circulation, We think
the following is correct and fair account of the
whole affair
From the Standard.
Kinston is on the North side, or left bank Of
the Neuse River, about % miles from Goldsboro-
ugh.-1he latter is the side of the river
with knston. White Hall is - miles southeast
of Goldsborough, and is on the south side, right
bauk Of the same river. Springbank is 6 miles
from Goldsbolough, and is on the south side
Raleigh, the seat of Government Of the State,
l: ~ miles from Goldsborough, and on the same
side with White Hall
1t appears that the enemy came up on the Trent
River road the south side of the Neuse. On
Friday the 10Th, skirmish took place at Dir
/ Becton's plantation some ten miles below Kinson.
On Friday night our Troops fell back to Parrott's
Lane, seven miles from Kinston where on Satur-
day, another skirmsh took place. Our troops
then fell back on Saturday evening to the old dis
| tillery, just below the County bridge, about one
mile and quarter from Kinston, where they
encahped. On Sunday the battle. commenced at
this point, at o'clock, and continued until 2 2.
NJ, when Gen. Evans ordered them to fall back
on klnston, and destroy the bridge The enemy
being so superior in numbers supposed to be
$4,000, and pressing rapidly on our forces, there
was no time to destroy the bridge, although it
was fired. Col. Mallett's Battalion it seems, were
not able to cross IN time, as the enemy had seized
the southern end of the bridge and they fought
on until ordered by Gen Evans to make their
escape up the right or south bank of the river to
White Hall. 1t is reported that portion of the
battalion were made prisoners. Our killed and
severely wounded on the south bank, of course,
fell into the hands of the enemy. After stand,
for short time by troops, between the bridge
and kinston, Gen. Evans fell back to the heights
north of Kinston, upon which is Mr. Washington's
beautiful residence About o'clock the enemy
sent flag Of truce demanding the unconditional
surrender Of the Confederate Troops, and the post
Of kinston, which Gen. Evans promptly declined
to do. Darkness setting in, hostilites not
renewed, and our troops retired towards Failing
Creek
While these events were transporting, some half
dozen of the enemy's un-boats attacking the
Notifications on the north side of the river, some
two or three miles below Kinsten. They we're
repulsed by our Artillery, commanded by Colonel
Stephen D. Pool and the River falling at the tiue
they dropped down about Fort Barnwen
In the fight Sunday about $4,000 of the
enemy were engaged with about 5000 Of
troops, who maintained their ground for six hours
with great frmness and courage. Our loss is
supposed to have been about $50 in killed. woun-
ded, and prisoners. The enemy S loss is no doubt
twice that number.
We learn that the enemy evacuated kinston on
| Tuesday, and burnt the County bridge in their
rear. Our troops from Failing Greek, at once
re-occuped the place, and re-captured portion of
Malletts battalion who had been made prisoners.
SKIRMISH AT WHITE HALL
A severe skirmish took place on Tuesday, at
White Hail. The river vas between the enemy
and our troops. We learn that our troops cleared
the river bank of the enemy, and drove them back.
Our loss In this engagement was about 70 Killed,
and 10 wounded.
The llth, Col. Leaventhorpe's, had seven men
killed. and twenty three wounded at White Hall.
Lieut., Means Of Mecklenburg, is the only officer
reported killed.
! BATTLE OF GOLDSBOROUGH.
On Wednesday last, the enemy approached
| Godsborough on the south bank of the Neuse in
force and about l P. NJ, severe engagement
took place the Railroad bridge, two
miles south of the town. It is stated that the
enemy burnt the bridge, but troops crossed
over on the County bridge, mile or so above, and
drove the enemy about a mile. We were driving
them at shutdown Wednesday.
1t is reported that General Lee teegraphcd
Gen. Smith that he could spare him, if necessary,
10000 more. men,
| From the Raleigh State Journal.
| ANOTHER ACCOUNT. .
The following letter from our Special Reporter
at Goldsboro contains all the reliable details of
events occurring at that point up to 2 o'clock
! Wednesday:
| On Sunday morning, the enemy displayed but a
small body of troops the banks of the river oppo
site Kinstcn, which induced our troops to cross.
! The enemy after short time retreated, our mea
following them up with great spirit until an
overwh elming body advanced from the cover of
the woods in front and on the flank of our small
force. gallan1 but fruitless fight took place, but
our men, overpowered, had to retreat. Before
all had succeeded in crossing the bridge it was
| fred and number was scorched in passing over
but the enemy followed closely, and succeeded In
troops suffered most by heavy fire of mhsketry
aud shells. Our loss on that day did not exceed
! Is or 20 killed and about so wounded; mostly
slightly hurt. The occupation Of the town and
bridge prevented 90 body of our men, about i've
hundred in number from escaping, the greater
part taken prisoners and paroed, and some
few succeeded in escaping higher up on the river
All agree troops fought splendidly, and moth
ing but superior physical force drove them from
! the field. Our entire force was under 5000, and
of which 1900 only were engaged. The lowest
MI