Newbern progress., 1863-01-24
oHlciaI Report of Maj. Gen. Foster.
HEADQUARTERS,
DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Newbern, Dec. ~, 1862.

Major Gen. II W. Halleck, Generalin- CAie1
b. 8. Army. Washington, d. c.:
GENERAL-Referring to my letters of Decem-
Der 10th, 14th and 2oth, have the honor to
report that left this town at A. N. of the
1Ith, with tf following forces:
Gen. Vessels brigade of Gen. Peck's divis-
ion, kindly loaned to me.
Col Amory's brigade.
Col Stevenson's brigade.
Col. Lees brigade
In all about - infantry.
Batteries Third New York artillery.
Belgers battery, First Rhode Island.
Section of Twenty-four New York 1nde-
pendent battery.
Section of Twenty-third Independent bat
terry, having total Of - guns.
And the Third New York cavalry, of about
- men.
We marched the first day on the main Kins-
ton road about fourteen miles, when, finding
the road obstructed by felled trees for half
mile and over, bivouacked for the night, and
by the pioneers.
pushed on the next morning at daylight.
NV cavalry advance encountered the enemy
when about four miles from the bivouac Of the
previous night, and after a sharp but brief
skirmish the enemy were routed with some
loss.
On arriving at the Vine Swamp road, I Or
cavalry, to push on up the main Kinstsn road
as a demonstration, while the main column
proceeded by the Vine Swamp road to the left,
thereby avoiding the obstructions and the
enemy on the main road. Capt. Hall encoun-
tered the enemy in some force; but after
severe fight whipped them, taking eighteen
prisoners and killing q number. The march
of the main column was somewhat delayed by
the bridge over Beaver creek being destroyed.
This was rebuilt, and pushed on, leaving
regiment (51st Massachusetts, and section OF
artillery (23d New York; at the bridge to hold
it, and to protect the intersection OF the main
road and the road was on, to support Capt
Hall, and to prevent any force driving him
back and occupying the crossroads IN our rear
The main column pushed on about four
miles, and bivouacked for the night. There
was some cavalry skirmishing during the day.
On Saturday, the 18th, we again started,
leaving the second main road (the one l was
on) to the right, and leaving at this intersec-
ton the 46th Massachusetts and one section of
artillery (the oath New York; to hold the po-
sition and feint on the second main road.
We reached Southwest creek, the bridge
over which was destroyed, and the enemy
posted on the opposite bank, some four hun
dred strong, with three pieces OF artillery. |
The creek was not fordable and ran at the foot
of deep ravine, making a very bad position
for US. | ordered battery in as good posi-
ton as could be obtained, and under their fire
the 9th New Jersey, which had the advance, |
pushed gallantly across the creek-by swim |
ming, by fragments OF the bridge and by
milldam-and formed on the opposite bank !
at the same time the S5th Pennsylvania, OF
Gen. Vessels brigade, forced a passage by |
the telling Of trees and fordiug, about half
mile below the bridge, and engaged the enc
my's left, who thereupon retired and deserted
his breastworks. had ordered the 23d Mas
sachusetts. of Col. Amory's brigade, to cross
at the mill to support the 9th New Jersey, and
also crossed the remainder of Gen. Vessels
Jersey, advanced, and was fired upon when
about one mile from the creek, with canister
and musketry The regiment charged at
double-quIck, drove the enemy, took some
prisoners and captured six FOUNDER gun,
caisson, &C., complete. General VESSEL
bivouacked on the further side of the creek,
with the 9th in advance The balance of the
command, with the artillery, remained on this
side of the creek. The 9th New Jersey Co. |
X, Sd New York cavalry, and Morrisons bat
terry, Sd New York artillery, had quite skir-
mish with the enemy, but drove them, and
camped for the night. From the south side Of
the creek sent company OF cavalry to strike,
and proceed up the Kinston road No 2. l was
on No. 3. The company proceeded up the
road toward Kinston, and found the enemy
posted by a bridge, which was prepared to be
destroyed. The company charged them, and
they retired with some loss, destroying the
bridge. The enemy's force at this place was
at one regiment and four pieces of
artillery. Major Garrard, with three companies
Of cavalry and one section of artillery, pro-
ceeded on reconnaissance on road leading
to Whitehall. After following this road about
ten miles. and having met with no opposition,
they Tejoined the main column.
Sunday, the 18th instant, l advanced the
column, and when about one mile from Kins-
ton encountered the enemy in strong force
They were posted in strong position in the
woods, taking advantage of the ground, which
formed natural breastwork their position
was secured on the right by deep swamp,
and their left was partially protected by the
river
The Ninth New Jersey were deployed as I
and Gen. VESSELS brigade, with /;
Morrison's battery, Third New York artillery, l
were ordered to advance to the right and left
Of the road, the battery being sent to our ex
treme right, supported by one of Gen Wes- I
sells regiments. Colonel Amory's brigade
was then advanced, the Seventeenth Mass, I.
being sent to support Colonel Hickman on the
right, and two regiments Crwenty-third and
Forty-fifth Massachusetts, advanced up the /
road. My artillery OhFee batterles) posted |
in large field on the right of the road and
about three fourths of mile in rear of line OF
attack, (the only position they could be placed =
gade, with Belger's Rhode Island battery, for
ward. The Twenty fourth Massachusetts, !.
this battery, and the Fifth Rhode :
Island, Tenth Connecticut and Forty fourth
Massa chusetts were ordered forward, the two I
Iormer on the left of the road, and the latter
IN the right, to support the regiments there in
pushing the enemy and turning that flank. {
The Tenth Connecticut advanced steadily to
the extreme from, relieving two reg. of Vessels
brigade who were short Of ammunition, and,
after receiving horrible fire for sene twenty ,
made a most gallant charge, in con
junction with the Ninety>sixth New York t
Volunteers, of General Vessels brigade,
which, with the advance already made Slowly |
but surcly) of the whole line forced the enemy
to retreat precipitately from the bridge, over e