Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-01-15

w. II. ATKINS,
JNO. w. McGREGOR,
DAVID g. TILNAN,
Committee
HEADQUARTERS i4TH n. q. TRooPs,
December 20, 1862. I
Messrs WATKINS, Meg REGoR AND TILMAN-
Gentl.men Your note making enquiry as 10 Inc
proprety an consistency with discipline of expressing
an opinion respecting the resolutions of our Leglsa-
ture is n bat d and hasten to inform you that the
Artici of War are not ln'ringed by action IN the
premises
l '"' 'i r E BENNETT, Col.
Comd'g 14th n. G. Troops
To W. Watkins, J. W. McGregor, d. q. 1ilman.
| The regoing information having been received, 6
meeting consisting of the different Companies OF the
Regime convened upon the regimcntal grounds
/ On Oh ton oil a. Waddill, j. w. Tracy was call
ed to Or side over TIE deliberations of the meeting, and
P H. I urner and q. W. Sronach to act Sec
retaries.
The Chairman announced the object of the me citing
to be expression of opinion relative to resolutions
which have passed the second reading in House OF
the Geaeral Assembly of North Carolina, which, ID
spirit and substance, nuify the Consumption Act OF
| the Confederate Congress.
| to-wit:
| W. Bird Company A II. J. Berrier, Company !;
J. Bennett, Company D; j. M. Whitmire, Company
Fl A. Il. Naddlll, Company G j. B. Martin, Com
| pany y. w RlWly, company w. II Ilunt'
Compsny I L. n Keith, Company K-was appoint
ed to daft lreamb and resouti ms.
The committee having retired short time, returned,
reporting the following, all of which were considered
seriam and adopted by reclamation
WHEaEAe, 1t became necessary, in view of the alarming
upon the cherished and dearest prin
posing confederate States of America through then
respective capacities to pass, pomugate and carr INTO
crate tates tor b. purpose of mutual protection
tabish Government vessng in sad trustee, the war
for the nef of the cestns que hst Now, therefore, be
1st That We have unb, n.,led confidence in Chief
Magistrate, Jefferson DAVIS, tho Christian Warrior and
End. That the rscommc nda the Executive
uating in The Passage of the Consumption Law meets our
srd. That the suaerings y North Carolina fl ON the
cursons Of the foe are great but will NJ compare with
4th That. the alac:ty which has marked the prepare
tions of the cer":e author ties in resisting the recent
invasion of State, convince beyond doubt OF the
absurdy Of epprehensons now manifested by tho eglsa
9Th That tie sage of bill on Its second reading by
Ct the General Assembly of Nerh Carolina call
for thousand men for State defence of these ready
ordered into the the Confederate States III direct
ventiQn and to all iGens and purposes
of the Law OF The Con Congress- meets with orr
9Th That from our distant bivouacs the Rappahan-
mock fellow of the General Assem-.
bly, North Carolina to we be made to re&ret
this GLE consecraed in the tears of countrymen
by much of our best blood on account of their precp
There being nothing further hand motion, the
meetlrS adj 'uIneI
E. E: u u T ETass.cu Secretaries.
THE BATTLE OF GoLDsBoRo'-GEN. ROBERT
SONS REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS, Goldsboro', Dec | 9th 1862.
| Capt. Il s. Euans H. Il. g., Headquarters, Evans'
Brigade IN the Field:
CAPTAIN | have the honor to report that in accor-
dan nr6or laft oil (NrI6
boro' and klDston Railroad at ii - O'clock m on
the 18th ns and with Leavonthorpes portions of Fer
ebees and Evals regiments, and l section of Artillery,
| (trom Moores Battalion) commanded by Lieut. Nc
Cleese proceeded to White Hall, Neuse River, to
burn the bridge at that point and dispute the enemys
| crossing, should he attempt to turn right.
| Having cavalry, impressed citizen guide and
pushed forward to rcconnollre in advance of my
mand Upon reaching White Hail. learned that the
enemy had not made bis appearance there l then
dered my guide to scout towards kinston to prevent
surprise One hour later, my force arrived and made
rapid preparations for burning the bridge
Making pers nal examination some miles to the
front without finding the enemy, returned to White
Hall. Shortly afterwards citizens with faded horses,
and much excited announced that the enemy ad-
| vancng. | ordered Maj. jackson and Lieutenant Wor-
thington to watch bis movements but they could not
find him. | awaited his approach until nearly dark
and determined to and burn the bridge accord
ing to my orders. The torch had scarcely been applied
ere the enemys cavalry appeared With artillery they
sheled the woods until late at night, destroying the
gunboat 10 process of construction this side Several
taking off their Clothes attempted to cross the ri
yer by swimming, but driven back by Our sharp,
shooters. From the force displayed it was evidently
bis intention to cross the White Hall bridge.
About . o'clock, a m on the 10th, brisk picket
skrmsbing commenced visited the bridge, and after
giving the necessary instructions back to order
up the 3lst n q. regiment, (Col. Jordan) which had
arrived during the night, and which placed in posi-
ton much sheltered circumstances would permit
then posted the artillery we'll as the nature of the
ground would admit and ordered both shell and solid
shot to be fired. For time prev ous the enemy
had been firing from twelve to eighteen pieces some OF
immense calibre. Owing to range Of hills on the
White He'll sde the enemy bad the advantage of posi-
ton. The front occupied by bis troops being narrow
not more than one regiment a. time could advanta-
Ferebees and Evans in reserve, leaving the 3lst ard
two picket companies of Leayenthorpes regiment in
front. The cannonadDg from the enemy's batteries
became terrific that the 3lst withdrew from their
position without instructions, but in good order.
immediately ordered Col Leaventhorpe forward. The
alacrity with which the order obeyed by his men,
gave ample proof of their gallant bearing which thew
nohy sustained during the entire fight which ragged
with intensity for several hours after they became en-
gagged No veteran soldiers fought better or in
icted more terrible loss upon enemy, considering
the numbers engaged 1t was with difficulty they could
be withdrawn from the field. Three times did they
drive the Yankee cannoniers from their guns and as Of
ten prevent their Infantry regiments from forming line
in their 'front.' In spite of the four hostile regiments
whose standards waved from the opposite bank did
these brave continue to hold their ground, and
finally drove the enemy in confusion from the field
More than hundred of their dead and wounded were
left on tie river bank. The conduct OF this regiment
ment reflects the greatest credit upon its accomplished
and d&untless commander