, 1863-06-11
TF1E BATTLE ATT GUM
SWAMP. n. G.
onfc1al Report of General Foster.

WAsn1sGToS, June, 1861,
The following official report has been re-
ccived at the headquarters Of the Army Of the
United States:
UEApoCAE1 EEs EIGHTEENTH ARMY ConrS,}
NEwBEKS. n. e., june 2, 1868. / S..
Major Gen. Ha1!eck. Gcne1alin-Chief. q. s. Army,
Washington, L. c.:
GENERAL: Referring to my brief report Of
May -. have the honor to report that, learn
ing from Col. ]. Richter Jones, commanding
ouiptsts. that he deemed IL possible to cap
Swamp, eight miles from Einston, I ordered
Col Ice'e brigade, consisting of the 5th, 25sh
and 4Gh Massachusetts, regiments, three
pieces Of Boggs' battery, and 4 battalion Of
cavalry to report to him
Col. ]ores ordered the 5th, s5th and 10Th,
with the artillery and cavalry, under the COM
n.and Of Col Pierson, 5th Ma.s.chu$ett., to
advance up the railroad aud Dover road, to
attack the enemy'6 work In front, while the
5Sth Pennsylvania volunteers aud the eth
Massachusetts volunteers, under tho immsdl
aio command Of Col. Jones, took d path
through the swamp, to reach the rear Of the
enemy's position.
The main column, under Col. Pierson, met
the eneuy's pickets At daylight Of the ed,
and, driving them in, commenced an attack
Oh the front. Col. Jones, with his command,
owing to the character Of the road they had
taken, and Tie u.sn having to go by single
file, did not arrive at the desired place until .
! a. m On arriving in the rear OF the enemy'a
| position, Col Jone. deplnyed such batteries
| Of his cou.mand rs could be used to ndyan-
tsge, opened fire and advanced. The enemy
fired few dtsultory voiles 8, then broke aud
| fed In great confusion, taking to the Bwanps,
md escaling by paths known only to them
selves. On hearing the firing Of Col. Jones'
command, Col. Plerson advanced lis COM
nand and entered the work in front. After
| E,cnrinrr 1he 7a.3snn fnrp II and sir
| ty-fye} and spoils, demollshiug the enc uy's
works, and resting his men, Col. Jones made
demonstration and chow Of advance On
Einstnn. At dusk the same evening Ills pick
| cts were driven In. and he found himself at-
tucked By the enemy In force, and with artil-
le1y. lie, in obedience to orders, at once re-
turned, followed BY The enemy, and reached
our outpost line without loss.
Col. Lees brigade wire put on cars In wait
Ing, and returned to their camps.
The enemy, mortified at the success OF Col
Jotes, and being strongly reinforced from
| Goldsboro, reattacked our outpost nue on the
afte! noon Of the :,3d. sent out support
ing force to Col. Jones, aud the enemy Eer'
repnlsed at every point, but with great En1 1oa
t. us and tho service, in the death Of Col
Jones, who was shot through the hea!t, as b
was leading on two companies Of his regi
ment to disiodge the enemy from position
he 1lad taken up.
jealous and able officer has been lost to tn
service and bis department.
I have the honor to enclose list OF casual
ties, and List Of prisoners and articles cap
| tuted.
/ have the honor to be, very respectfully
your obeiient servant. ]. g. FOSTER,
Major General Commanding.
rR1sosEns, ETC, CAPTURED ON TEE LATE II
IEn1rtoE TO GUM SWAMI, COL. ]. K1CHTE
JONES, COMMANDING.
Ono hundred and sixty five prisoners, twe1
ty-eigAt horses, three ambulances and tT
baggage wagons {teams}, one tweive.pounde
hoWilzer, with timber; eighty muskets an
equipments, eleven thousand rounds u al
munition.
CASUALTIES.
/ Two killed, five wounded and one missing