Daily national Republican., 1863-06-08
Second Edition.
FROM soRTH oARobEEA.
omoInl Report OF General Fostsr.
EOSh 9.gIogn.rn E 4.

Omcial Report Of General FOSTER
The following report has been received at
the Headquarters Of the Army
HEkpoUGBrERs EIoHTEESrH Amy CoRPs,
NEwBERN, n. c., jane ., 1853.
MOI Cen, n, w, Halisrk GcEsrat-in-thiJ U,S' Army,
WashiHgiOn D. O.
GENERAL! Referring to my briof report Of
May 22d, have the honor TO report that, learn
ing from OolOnelJ. Fighter Jones, command
ing outposts, that he deemed II possible TO cap
ture the enemy's outpost regiments at Gum
Swamps, (elght miles from Kingston,) or
dered Colonel Lees brigade, Conslsting Of tho
Fifth, Twenty-hfth, Twgnty-sevonth, and Forty
sixth Massachusetts regiments, three pieces OF
Riggs battery, and battalion Of cavalry, to
report to him..
Col. Jones ordered the Firth, Twenty-tfth,
and Forty-slxth, with the artillery and cavalry,
under the command Of Colonel Piecson, fltth
Massac chusetts, to advance up the railroad aud
Dover roads, TO attack the enemy's works In
the front, whilst the Fitty-oighth Pennsyiya-
MIA volunteers and the Tweuty-sevonth Massa-
chusetts volunteers, under the immediate com
mand Of Colonel Jones took path through
the swamp TO reach the rear Of the eneny's po-
sition.
The main column under Col. PGrson met the
enemy's pickets at daylight of the 22d, and
driving them in, commenced an attack on the
front. Col. Jones, with his command, owing
to the character Of the road they had taken, the
men having TO 60 by single file, did not arrive
at the desired place until a. IN.
On arriving In rear Of the cnemy's position,
Col. Jones deployed such batteries Of bis COM
mand as could be used to advantage. Opened
fire and advanced; the enemy fired few desul-
tory yolleys, then broke and fed In great con-
fusion, taking to the swamps, escaping by
paths known only to themselves.
On hearing the firing Of Col. Jones's COM
mand, Col. PiOrson advanced his command
and entered the works In front. After securing
the prisoners (1G5) aud spoils, demolishing the
enemy's works, and resting his men, Colonel
Jones made demonstration and show OF ad-
vance on Kingston. At dusk the same evening
his plckets were driven in, and he found him
self attacked by the enemy in force and with
artillery. He, In obedience TO orders, at once
retired, followed by the enemy, and reached our
outpost line without loss.
Col. Lees brigade were put on cars in wait
ing, and returned TO their camps.
The enemy, mortified al the success Of Col.
Jones, and being strongly reinforced from
GoldsborO', attacked our outpost line on the
evening of the 28d. / sent out supporting
force to Col Jones, and the enemy were re-
pulsed at every point, but with a great loss to
US and the service, in the death Of Col. Jones,
who was shot through the heart, as he was
leading on two companies of his regiment to
dlslOdge the enemy from a position he had
taken up.
By the death Of Col. Jones, most brave,
Jealous and able officer has been lost to the
service and to this department.
have the honor to enclose list of casual
ties, and list of prisoners aud articles cap
tured.
have the honor ~ lie, very respectfully,
your obedeut servant. J. &. FOSTER,
Major General Commanding.
PRISONERS, ETC, CAPTURED ON THE LATE EX-
PEDGTIoS TO UUM swAMr5.
One hundred and sixty. five prisoners, twen-
ty-eight horses, three ambulances and teams,
two baggage wRgons, one twelve, pound how
itzer (with limbsr,) eighty muskGts and equip
ments, and eleven thousand rounds of aInlnu-
milton.
CASUALTIES.
Killed, two; wounded, FIVE missing, one.