The Portland daily press., 1862-12-31

into kinston. The bridge, which they attempt
ed to destroy, was saved by desperate fight
ting, thus strengthening the impression tha
Gen. Fosters command would advance on thu
line of the railroad north of the Neuse. Gen
miles west of Kinston, and made extensive
preparations to hold this position in force
Our troops lay in Kinston Sunday night. They
had captured eleven pieces of artillery, foul
or five hundred prisoners afterwards paroled
and abundant quartermaster's and commissa
ry stores. An attempt to bring gunboats into
action against Kinston failed on account Of
the low water.
Early Monday morning Gen. Foster recross-
ed the river, burning the bridge to prevent
pursuit or the possibility OF a flank movement
upon his line of retreat Gen. Evans occupi-
ed his useless intrenchments at Mosely Hall.
By sunset seventeen miles lay between the
army and Kinston, and the troops bivouacked
about three miles south OF the Neuse. A bat
TALON of cavalry and section of artillery
were detached to dash into and hold, if posi-
BILE, the little village of Whitehall, on the OPP
posite bank of the river. The impression was
thus kept alive, that Gen. Foster was seeking
to cross the Neuse at some safe point. The
enemy Immediately burned the bridge; and
our artillerists having battered to pieces hos
tile gunboat across the river, revealed by the
red light of the confagration, returned to
camp.
On Tuesday, the 10th, the army moved at
an early hour for Whitehall. The country is
more hily here than below, but covered with
the same pine woods From the conceament
of these woods across the river, the enemy
opened fire upon the advancing columns, and
an action Of three hours followed, resulting in
completely silencing the enemy's fire. Gen.
Foster made feint of rebuilding the bridge,
which he would have destroyed had the enemy
left it, and feint of crossing the river deceiv-
ed some of our own men, who actually swan
to the opposite shore and were ordered back
The battle at Whitehall was designed to
amnse the enemy in front and cover more
important operation. Early in the day Major
Garrard, with three pieces of artillery
and squadron of cavalry, had been sent to
Mount Olive station on the Wilmington &
w CluUl IOiu, iouItttn HlllC> soulI oi
boro. The distance was over twenty miles.
Maj. Garrard reached the Station about 3
o'clock p. NJ, found the ticket agent selling
tickets, passengers lettering about the depot,
the Wilmington mail lying on the platform,
put everybody under arrest, and, dividing his
detachment into three bodies, commenced the
work of destruction. A body of cavalry was
sent seven miles in the direction of Wilmngvs
ton, to destroy long bridge and trestle work
A company of cavalry and one piece of artil-
lery were sent three miles and half toward
Goldsboro, to destroy the track, some culverts
and bridge. This last detachment fired into
and sent back the mail train from Goldsboro.
At Mt. Olive station all the damage that could
be done to the track. switches, and cuIyerts
was accomplished. The track was on fire for
miles. The expedition was successfulin every
particular, and late at n ght Major Garrard's
command Joined the army, which had now
moved forward several miles from Whitehall.
On Wednesday Major Garrard, as soon as
the main body were in motion, rode down to
Tompkins' bridge over the Neuse, with his
battalion of cavalry. The enemy were once
more obging enough to retreat and burn the
bridge for us: and Major Garrard, having been
reinforced with four pieces of artillery, anus
ed them there for two hours. The main col
umn was pressing on for the railroad bridge
over the Neuse, three miles south of Goldsbo-
ro. This bridge was gallantly but unavailably
defended. In the midst of storm of bullets,
and after several failures, Lieutenant Graham,
OF the Rocket Battery, got near enough to
fire it. Meanwhile the remaining stations be-
tween the bridge and Mount Oliye-Everetts-
vile and Dudley-had been visited, and for
twenty miles the destruction of the road was
almost complete. As our troops drew Off two
South Carolina regiments made gallant bay
onet charge on Morrison's battery, but were
repulsed with great loss.
In three days more (ten in ALL General Fos-
ters little army had returned to Newbern,
marching through splendid and sometimes
dangerous illumination IRON the burning for
ests, set on fire by the enemy in very despera-
ton, one would think. They were observed
by rebel troops, at respectful distance, dur
ing the whole march to Newbcrn. The loss
Of the army is about seventy killed and two
hundred and fifty wounded. The result of
the expedition is, that the railway is damaged
to an extent which must require many weeks
for repairs, and meanwhile all the supplies and
munitions for Richmond ffom this quarter,
must pass over the circuitous Raleigh & Gas
ton road and its connections. If Burnside
had been successful, or if he should be before
that road is repaired, its Importance would
become apparent.
There is another result, perhaps even more
significant. In Raleigh, while the whole town
was filed with confusion during the progress
of the action at Whitehall, on Tuesday, the
10th December, while families were hastily
packing up their valuables, and removing to
place of safety, the bill to raise 10000 troops
for State defence from citizens liable to con-
scription, passed its second reading in the
House. 4 preamble disclaiming any inten-
tention to come in conflict NTH the Confeder-
ate Government ,cds roted do,cn. Astruggle
between State Rights and the central despot-
ism at Richmond is inaugurated. Gov Brown
of Georgia has long been desirous of adopting
the same course. Should the secession gov
ernment be guilty of any indiscretion in this
business, we might have the pleasure of wit
Messing rebellion within rebellion. In fact
it is so already. We shall watch this little
point Of flame in the thatch roof of the Confed-
eracy with interest and pleasure.