The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-11

MoJvf uVnosut W. MAikCAs uohctoi-iu-Outoir Shsoo
States Army, Washington, d. c.
GxSxAL-Referring TO my letters Of December TO- IL
and co. have the honor report that left this town
at eight A. M. Of the nth, with the following forces
General Vessels brigade Of General Peck's division,
kindly loaned 10 me.
Colonel Amory 3 brigade.
Colonel Stevenson's brigade.
Colonel Lees brigade.
In all about infantry
Batteries Third New York artillery.
Beger's battery. First Rhode Island.
Section Of Twenty fourth New YORK Independent bat
Section OF Twenty third Independent battery, having
And the Third New YORK cavalry, OF about - men.
we,narched the first day the main Kinston road
about fourteen miles, whom, finding the road INSTRUCTED
by leled trees for half mile and over, bivouackcd
forthe night and had tho distractions removed during
the night by the pioneers.
Ipushed on the next morning at daylight My cavalry
advance encountered the enemy when about four miles
from the byopac Of the previous night and after sharp
but brief skirmish the enemy routed with some
loss.
On arriving OF the Vine Swamp road ordered Captain
Hall with three companies of cavalry. to push up the
main kinston road as demonstrate n while tho main
column proceeded by the Vine Swamp road to the lett.
thereby avoiding the distractions and the enemy the
main road Captain Hall encountered the enemy 10 some
force; but, after severe fight, whipped them taking
eighteen prisoners and killing number. The march Of
tho main column was somewhat delayed by the bridge
Beaver creek being destroyed. This was rebuilt,
and pushed on leaving regiment (Fifty-arst Massa
chases,s) and , section s q artillery Twenty third New
section Of the main road and the road to sup
port Captain Hail. and TO any force driving him
back and occupying the crossroads in our roar.
Tnensin column pushed on about four miles, and bi-
vouaoked for the night. There cavalry Skin.
Tn Saturday the i3th, We again started leaving tho
second main road Ohe one on) TO the right, and
leaving this intersection the Forty
and on6 section OF artillery (he Twenty New York;
hold the position and fein the second main road
We reached southwest creek, the bridge which
destroyed, and the enemy posted on tho opposite
bank some four hundred strong with three pieces OF
cry The creek not fordabe and at the foot Of
deep ravine making avery bad position for u.s. or
dered avbatteryn good position could be obtained
and under hor fire the Ninth New Jersey which had the
advance, pushed gallantiy across the creekby swim
ming, by fragments Of the bridge and by milldamand
FORMED on opposite bank the time tho Lightly
ffth Pennsylvania Of General Vessels brigade forced
passage by the Telling Of trees and ferding about half
me below hebrdge, and engaged the enemys left, who
rhorcupon retired and deserted his brcasworks had
orderedthe Twenty third Massachusetts, of Col Amory
brigade at the mill to support tho Ninth Now Jcr
soy and also crossed the remainder OF Gen. Wesscs bril-
gade. Colonel Hickman, with the Ninth Now Jersey ad
vanced and fred upon when about one mile The
creek with canister and musketry. The regiment
charged double quick, drove the enemy took some pr
Ssoners and captured sixpounder gum caisson, 10,
OF tho creek with the Nnthin advance The balance Of
tho command with tho artillery remained this side Of
cavalry aud Morrison battery Third New York artillery
had quite skrinsh with the enemy but drove him, and
camped for the night From the south side Of the creek
company Of cavalry TO strike, and proceed tho
Kinston road No 2. was on No. 3. The company pro
up the road towards snd found !hs enemy
o ns sns%y ss e
Of sr.uIsry Major Gsrrsrd with three companies Of
cavalry and section OF artlery proceeded
nosssnoe o. road leading 2 R6iisAsi. Aser follow
opposition, thor rcjoincd tho main column.
Sunday the 1lth instant, advanced the column. and
tl~ Kfu.err e1xn
enemy strong force They posted In strong posi-
ton Ia the woods taking advantage Of tho ground which
their right BY deop swamp, and their left par
tally protected by the river
Tho Ninth New Jersey were doployed as skirmish.
es. and General Wcssels brigade, with Morrson's
battery, Third New York artillery were ordered 70 ad
70 the right and left OF the road the battery be-
W ocns - Sss
then advanced the seventeenth Massachusetts, being
70 support Colonel Hickman on the right and two regi
monts Twenty third and Forty -Afih Massachnsetts)
advanced up the road Ny artillery hree bat.erios)
posted large field the right OF the about
ho only position they could be placed n) hcu order.
Cd Colonel 6tsvensohs brigade, with Begers Rhode
.nS s Roa
Tenth Connecticut and Forty fourth Massachusetts, were
ordered forward the two former the left Of the
and the latter on the right TO support the regiments
there 10 pushing tho enemy and turning that flank.
The Tenth Connecticut advanced steadily TO the ex
front, relieving Vessels brigade who were
short Of ammunition and after receiving horrible fire
for twenty minutes made most gallant charge in
conjunction with the Ninety sixth New York Volunteers
ready made SLOWLY but sursy Of the whole lne forced
the enemy TO retreat precptaey for the bridge the
or sa snS naa
close, however that about four hundred prisoners
were taken from the enemy. line was formed TO the
river and the tire extnguished before great damage
done.
The Ninth New Jersey Seventeenth Massachusetts and
Gen. wcssells brigade crossed pushed into
tho and halted ordered the bridge to be once
repaired for the crossing Of cavalry and artillery Gen.
Evans retired about two miles from town with his
maud and formed line OF battle. sent flag OF truce
inquire whether he proposed TO surrender lie declined.
Immediately prepared 10 attack him, but, knowing he
was unwilling TO sacrifice my mon, and waited for my
artillery TO ordered batteries and !, Third
New York artillery, TO shell the enemy with their twenty
FOUNDER PARROTS & NUMBER from the opposite bank,
crossed Col Amorys brigade with all DESPATCH but
before could the enemy had retired and beng
by this time night WAS unable TO pursue and, more
over my object accomplished The troops bivouackcd
fields beyond the thai night provost guard
established for the protection Of the town. and
all necessary precautions taken. l sent
Company X, Third New York cavalry, down
the Neuse. TO a work commanding the river. they
reported IL deserted, with six guns in position, aud
the work be ofsgreal strength sent the company
back with teams tobring up the guns aud blow up the
anS ons which hs wers up
able 10 remove. Captain Cole destroyed the magazine
anoroaght Oh four field complete Besides these
we had two others, deserted by the enemy, and the
ono taken BY the Ninth New Jersey. | left a strong
guard in the town. under Major Fitzsmmons to make
Demonstration the Godsboro road that side Of the
river. Colonel Ledle, Third New York artillery, re-
NAMED 70 destroy conmssary aud stores
and 70 burn the bridge Major fItzsimmons advanced
some nine miles In the direction OF Goldsboro, when,
hearing the whtsof locomotive, he fired three shots
In the direction Of the sound upon which the train mme
diatey returned In the direction OF GoAsboro Colonel
Ledls before leaving Kinston destroyed locomotive,
railroad Mouitor, nc.
sdv.nced ws!hOus opposition 70 within three and
half mies Of whitehall, when halted for the night.
sent MAJOR GDrrard, with three companies OF
cavalry " make Reconnaissance 10 whitehall. He found
regiment and four guns side Of the bridge over
the Nsuse but they quickly rctreaed he approached
firing the bridge encctually.
The next morning (10th) ordered MAJOR Garrard with
Ave companies rhird New York cavalry and section
Of artillery Twenty third New York; to proceed 70
Mount olive, station on the Wilmington aud weldon
Rarosd fourteen miles below Goldsboro. In passing
whitehall, route for Mount olive, his command was
hred upon from the opposite side Of the river He placed
his guns in position and returned the nrs m the main
column arrived when he limbered up and proceeded
towards Mount Olive which point he reached without
opposition. Here he destroyed the railroad track for
about mile. He then proceeded along the line Of the
railroad for four miles and destroyed the bridge over
Goshen Swamp. The track between Mount Ohve and the
Goshen Swamp bridge was torn UP and burned In i've