The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-01-06
OFFICIAL REPORT
OF THE FIGHT IN NORTH CAROLINA.
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HEADQUARTERS, GoLDsBoRo, N. G.,
December % 1862
To Gen. s. Copper, Richmcnd, Ia:

December 20, 1862
To Gen. s. Copper, Richmcnd, Ia:
Genera-I have the honor to enclose copies OF
the reports of Brig. Gems. Evans, Robertson and
Clingnan, giving account of the various affairs
withAhe enemy in this vicinity in their recent
bridge burning and piaging expedition fro,n
Newborn.
Brig. Gen. Evans, with two thousand $4,000
men, held them in check at Southwest Creek, be-
yond Kinstoh, on the thirteenth, and, on the four
tccnth, delayed their advance for some time, and
succeeded in Withdrawing his force, with small
loss, the left bank Of the Neuse River at kinston
He held them at bay until the 10th, when they
advanced on tie opposite side of the river, and
made attack at Whitehall bridge, about Is
miles below Goldsboro; in which they were driven
back by Gen Robertson, with severe loss.
Small reinforcements arrived from Petersburg
and Wilmington on the 18th, one regiment of
which was placed in position to the railroad
bridge over the Neuse, near this place. A battal-
lion IF artillery Which had made succ .ssful re-
treat from the works of the obstruction below Kin
ston after the enemy occupied the latter point in
force, was stationed this side of the river, at
the railroad bridge and, about half mile above,
at the county bridge On the 10th, a regiment
arrived from Wilmington, and one from Peters
burg, both of which were sent to the right bank
of the river, aud placed under Gen. Clineman's
command, to protect the two bridges.
On the morning of the 18th, having no cavalry,
and being unable to obtain information by other
means, directed Lieut.. Col. Stevens, of the En-
gneers with two brigades and five pieces of artil-
fery, to make reconnaissance, for the purpose of
asccrtalnlng the position and numbers of the enc
my. Gen. Evans brigade had then reached
Goldsboro', by rail, and, remaining on board, only
awaited the clearing of the track, and watering of
the engines to move by rail to the position already
occupied by Gen. Clngman with his three regi-
ments, about one mile and half beyond the rail-
road bridge The capacity of the watertanks be-
ing inadequate for the amount of transportation
accumulated here at that time, the cars were de-
layed until after IL o'clock for want of water;
pending which the enemy appeared in force before
General Clingman's three regiments, and he with
drew aceress the county bridge to this side of the
river. The artillery of the enemy was playing
upon the railroad bridge; and Evans brigade had
at last to move forward by the county road, and
cross, if at ALL the bridge half mile above the
railroad
About o'clock in the afternoon one bold and
daring incendiary succeeded 10 reaching the
bridge, and covered by the wing wall of the abut-
ment, lighted fame which soon DESTROYED the
supersructure, leaving the masonry, aLu:ments
and pier intact. At that time reinforcements
which had ordered from Richmond were hourly
expected.
1t was very important for US now to save the
county bridge, the only means remaining of cross
ing the river in this vicinity. Evans and Cling
mans b-igades were ordered to cross, supported
! by Pettgrew's brigade. and the Mississippi
brigade, just coming in, ordezsd to move for.
ward at once. -
The enemy were driven back from their posi-.
ton the line of the railroad, but on account of
the lateness of the hour the nature of the ground
and the fact that artillery cavalry and large
portion of the reinforcements had not yet arrived
ii not advisable to attack their strong second
position that evening.
During the night the enemy made hurried
retreat to their Notifications and gunboas, moving
with such celebrity that it was useless to attempt
pursuit with any other arm than cavalry, of which
at that time unfortunately, we had none.
| PASSED over the railroad from the Neuse
bridge to Wilmington, on the oath, and returned
last night. The bridge is fast being prepared
At present, subjected to the temporary in
! convenience of trans shipment across the county
bridge; but in very few days this will be rene.
died, and everything restored to the former con-
ditiou
regret that this grand army of invasion did
ACT remain in the interior long enough for us 10