Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-02-20
Jkt Stanbar6,
REPORT OF GEN. CL1NGMAN.
HEAD'QRs. CLINGNAN's BRIGADT, l
RENCu's DIVISION, December 81, 1862.

to state that arrived at GoldsbOro early on Tues
day the 10th, accompanied by only the Sth N U.
regiment, commanded by Col. Shaw.
From Major Gen. Smith, orders were received to
pass the south side of Neuse river and take po
sition intermediate between GOldsboro and Dudleys
Depot, on the line of the rail road. selected a
point where the rail road is crossed by the road
from White Hall, along which the enemy were eX-
pectcd to approach, and which is about one mile
and half south of the rail road bridge During
the DIV was reinforced by the 51st N. Z. regiment
of nv brigade commanded by Lieut.. Col Allen,
lust up from Wilmington In the course OF the
night following the SD N. c. regiment, of Petit
CREWS brigade commanded by Col Marshall, ar
rired with orders to report to me, but to be held in
reserve in the rear of the other two regiments.
On the morning of the 18th, being informed by
one Of Gen. Smiths staff, that he desired particu
larly to hear from me- | returned with him on the
locomotive to Goldsboro', end was instructed by
Gen. Smith to report to Gen. Evans, and with my
brigade to accompany him in making reconnoIs-
ancc force, ascertain the position and strength
of the enemy. Within a few moments after rccelv-
ing this order, dispatch was placed in my hands
from my Adjutsnt General, stating that the enemy
were reported by scouts being in three miles
of my position. This was read to Gen. Evans while
lac was in the presence of Gen. Smith, and he at
once ordered me to go and fight the enemy, say
ing that he would follow with his brigade to sup
port me.
On returning to my command, found that the
enemy in heavy lorce both of infantry and artillery,
were advancing from the south east across the ope''
fields and also from the south along the line of the
rail road, while their cavalry were seen approach
ing along the county road, which passed IN my rear
1t ought to be stated that the county bridge is about
half mile above that Of the rail road and that
the road crossing nearly parallel with the rail-
road. Between the two is a swamp, but infantry
pass along the bank of tie river without much
difficulty, and mile and half from the river the
two roads are connected by cross road through
plantation.
1t icing impossible with only three regiments to
hold both the bridges and at the time fight
large army, Col. Marshall with the sd regiment
stationed in front of the railroad bridge, and
Col. shaw with the Sth, supported by section Of
Stars battery, was placed in the field in front OF
the county bridge, while Col Allen, with the 5lSt,
Letween the two to support either in case Of
need
The enemy soon opened heavily both with can
non and muSketry against Col. Marshall evidently
with view of reaching the rail road bridge. |
carried therefore, the 5ls reg inert to his support,
and placed it on his right flank. So heavy, howev-
err was the fire from the large force of the enemy
that these regiments were broken and fell back
They we're soon rallied and taken back to their po-
sition.
The increasing vollcys of musketry and the rapid
falling OF shells from the batteries of the
enemy in spite of all my efforts to keep them longer
Ill position, caused them to give way second time
Il being obvious indeed that so small force could
not long maintain a contest against such heavy
odds they formed in the rear and carried back
in god order to the county bridge and with the
force stationed there re-croSSed the river.
To defend the bridge, the two guns of Stars
battery, under the command of Lieut.. Fuller were
placed near it and Cob MarShaIls regiment lined
the river bank below, and Col. Allen occupied it
above, while Col Shaw's was placed a reserve in
the rear.
For the defence of the railroad there was in posi-
fipro tho eiAo &c al, -. al d.
talon with several pieces of artillery. After the
above stated dispositions had been made possibly
about en- hour later of General Evans staff in
krmed me at the county bridge that he desired to
See me. On my going back to the field where he
was posted he told that it was all important to
hold The county bridge, and that l must do it. l
replied that the dispositions made | was satisfied
were sufficient and my asking as to the defences
oil the railroad bridge, he declared that all was
cure there but renewed his order to to hold the
county bridge.
Mt long after my return to it. l was informed
that the railroad bridge was on fire. After it was
burned the cannonade of the enemy ceased At
later period, Gen. Evans again sent for me, and on
my going back to his station he ordered me to ad-
vance across the bridge with my entire command,
and attack the enemy, and feel his strength.
The 6lst n. c. regiment of my brigade in charge
OF Lieut. Col. Devane having 10y this time arrived,
it. with the three already under my command, and
the two field pieces above mentioned were moved
across the river. Skirmishers were thrown f5r-
ward in all directions, and the enemy were found
to be posted from the river for mile and half
along the rail road in line of battle but well pro-
tccted by the high embankment of the road in front
oil them. The regiments of Shaw and Devane and
the TWO guns were moved along the county road,
while l carried as rapidly as possible she regiments
of Marshall and Allen down the river bank and
placed them IN line within less than three hundred
yards OF the enemys right, but in a position where
they were pretty well protected from the artillery
They were instructed to lie down, to make no re-
ply to the enemy's fire, and no attempt to pass
across the open field between them and the enemy
until they should hear attack on the right. As
soon, however, as that occurred they were ordered
to rise, and with shout to move forward at a rum
and carry if practicable the embankment behind
which the enemy were posted. Rejoining the 9TH
er two regiments, led them along the county road
and from it by the cross road, through open fields
against the enemy's left wing. / then formed in
line of battle, the ght Of Col Shaw resting on the
cross road, while his left and Devanes extended
towards the enemy's centre
fne of the field pieces unfortunately from the
giving away of bridge fell into ditch and was
not gotten out In time to take part in the action
The other piece moved along the road on the RIGHT
of our line, and was itself protected on its rghs
flank by sklrmishers who covered the ground for
several hundred yards. Before we reached the rail-
road, however, the enemy abandoned it, and we &C.
cupied it without struggle
The two regiments stationed near the river like
wise advanced to it without loss. and. as subse
quently learned, Gen. Evans brigade soon filled up
the centre. After retreating from this position the
enemy occupied higher field in our front with
large number of cannon, and heavy bodies of infan-
try drawn up in two lines with an interval of one
or two hundred yards between them
AS soon as Lieut.. Fuller opened on them with his
gun, their artillery which had previously directed
lis lire against our left, where the regiments of
Marshall and Allen were stationed was shifted and
Us concentrated voheys poured upon our right
Ihelr position approached within four hundred
yards there, while from our left it was more than =
half mile distant With the large number of pieces
they had in play, it is a wonder that they did not
succeed in disabling single gun.
Notwithstanding the disparity of force and the