Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-02-25
Gktt StanSar0,
REPORT OF GEN. CLINGAAN..
IIsAD'oRs. CL1NexAS's BRIaADs,
ruyycu,s D,vm1oN December 81, 1867.

CArrAN:-Before detailing the particulars OF the
affair of the 18th, wednesday, ought perhaps
To state that arrived at Goldsboro early on tues
DIV the roth, accompanied by only the 9Th N. "
REGIMENT, commanded by Col. Shaw. -. >
from Major Gen. Saith, orders were received to :
mas, to The south side of Ne,se river and take po-
s;tion Intermediate between Goldsboro and Dudley
Hepot on the line of tbs rail road. selected
point where the rail road is crossed by the road
from White Hall, along which the enemy were ex-
pected to approach and which is about one mile
and half south of the rail road bridge. During
the day was reinforced BY the 5lst N G. regiment
of my 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
rived 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 s:af that he desired partlcr-
larly to hear from me, returned with him on the
locomotive to Goldsboro, asd was instructed by
Gen Smith to report to Gen. Evans, and with my
brigade to accompany him in making reconnois-
ance in force to ascertain the position and strength
of the enemy Within few moments after receiA
ing this order dispatch was placed in my hands
from my Adutant General, stating that the enemy
were reported by our scouts as being IN three miles
of my position. This was read to Gen. Evans while
he was in the presence of Gen. Smith, and he at
ing that he would follow with his brigade to sup
port me-.
: On returning to my command found that the
enemy in heavy iorce both of nfantry and artillery
were advancing from the south east across the open
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
It ought to be stated that the county bridge is about
one. half mile above that of the rail road and that
the road crossing was nearly parallel with the rail-
road. Between the two is swamp, but infantry
can pass along the bank of tie river without much
difficulty, and milo and half frop the river the
two roads are connected by cross road through
plantation.
It being impossible with only three regiments to
hold both the bridges and at the same time fight
large army, COL Marshall with the SD regiment
was stationed in front Of the railroad bridge, and
Col Shaw with the 9Th, supported by section Of
Stars battery, was placed in the field in front OF
hecounty bridge, while Col Allen, with the 5lst.
was between the two to support either in case OF
need.
TLc enemy soon opened heavily both with can
non and musketry against Col. Marshall, evidently
with view Of reaching The rail road bridge. 1
carried therefore, the 5st regiment to his support
and .laced it on his right flank. So hesvy howev,
er. the fire from the large force of the enemy
that these regiments were broken and fell back
They were soon rallied and taken back to their pc.
siticn.
The increasing volleys of musketry and the rapid
falling of shells from the numerous batteries of the
enemy in spite of all my efforts . keep them longer
in position, caused them to give way second time:
Ii being obvious indeed that so small force could
not long maintain contest against such heavy
odds they were formed in the rear and carried back
in good order to the county bridge, and with the
force stationed there re-crossed the river.
To defend the bridge, the two guns of Stars
hiatt undo fho nd Of EnlI
placed near it. and Col. Marshars regiment lined
the river bank below, and Col. Allen occupied it
above, while Col. Shaw's was placed as reservoir
the rear.
Fer the defence of the railroad there was in posi-
tion on the North side Of the river COL Pools bat
TALON With several pieces Of artillery. After the
above stated dispositions had been made, possibly
about hour later one of General Evans staff i'll
formed me at the.county bridge that he desired to
sec me- On my going back to the field where he
was posted, he told No that it was all important to
hold the county bridge and that must do it l
replied that the dispositions made was satisfied
were sufficient and on my asking as to the defences
Of the railroad bridge he declared that all was se-
cure there but renewed his order to me to hold the
county bridge.
Not long after my return to it. was informed
that the railroad bridge was u fire. After it was
burned the cannonade Of the enemy ceased At a
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.
D. The 6lst N. c. regiment of my brigade in charge
OF Lieut. Col. Devane having by this time arrived,
It, with the three already under nv command, and
the TWO field pieces above mentioned, we're moved
across the river. Skirmishers were thrown for
ward in all directions, and the enemy were found
to be posted from the river for a mile and half
salong the rail road in line of battle but we'll pro-
tectsd by the high embankment of the road in front
of them. The regiments Of Shaw and Devane and
the two guns were moved along the county road,
While carried as rapidly as possible the regiments
of Marshall and Allen down the river bank, and
placed them in line within less than three hundred
yards Of the enemy's right but in position where
they were pretty well protected from the ARTILLERY.
They we're instructed to lie down, to make no re.
ply to the epemys fire, and no attempt to pass
across the open field between them and the enemy
until they should hear our attack on the right. As
soos however, as that occurred, they were ordered
to rise, and with shout to move forward at q run.
aud cary if practicable the embankment behind
which the enemy aere 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. l then formed in
lins Of battle the right of Col Shaw resting on the
cross road, while his left and Deyane's extended
towards the enemy's centre
One Of the field pieces, unfortunately from thf
giving away Of a 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 righ
of our line and was itself protected on its rieh
flank by skirmishers who covered the ground ID,
several hundred yards Before we reached the rail
road however, the enemy abandoned it, and we oc
cupied it without q struggle. ID.
The two regiments stationed near the river like
wise advanced to it without loss and, as subss
gnently learned. Gen Exams, brigade soon filed Ut
tia csaars After retreas;ns from this nos.sr ,hs
eneny occupied higher field in our front~nhS
large humber Of canpon, and heavy bodies Of irfsn
try drawn up in two lines with an interval Of On,
. OF two hundred yards between. them. :.
As soon IS Lieut. Fuller opened on them with hi
gun. their artillery which had previously directet
;:s fire against our left, where the regiments 8