Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-01-08

Il
statement of the afternoon fight at GOdsboro which
we learn from our officers engaged that occasion is
correct, as follows:
On Wednesday morning the 18th, the enemy in force,
estimated at pieces OF artillery seized
the railroad of terrific fire Of she'll and
succeeded burning railroad bridge defended by Poole
battalion part Gen.. Evans brigade. Gen Cling.
man held county bridge nearly mile above. With
regiments composing his brigade he crossed the river
In the afternoon. Tie enemys line of battle extended
along the railroad for mile and half sheltered By it's
high entertainments and powerful batteries in position In
his front for pls stretched a swamp General Cling
having The day previous made reconnaissance Of
the grounds carried two of his regiments, 5st and SAD n
Co. by flank march down the Sauk of the river and put
them into position within less than 300 yards the enemys
right wing, and instructed them lie down. to mind
the snemys fire. and not to return until they should hear
his attack the left then with and charge
the enemys ine This order Trey obeyed in spite OF most
terrific Ere against them.
Gen. Cingman then carried his other two regiments the
6th and 26h n. c., with field pieces commanded by
Lieut. Fuller By circutou road for nearly two miles,
and upon the enemy left flank. The Yankees sudden
y of alrosd strong as waa and
massed their forces along hill in front The kept
up vigorously both sides until darkness ended it, Then
notwithstanding his immense superiority in artillery and
numbers the enemy refreshed y and in great disorder
leaving baggage, muskets and horses he went; and
making 10 20 miles, In his retreat. before day light
Prisoners paroed by them their way back say Yam
kee officers tciared that but for this attack they would
have taken Goldsboro The this shows the great
Importance of stacking the invaders with visor.'
With reference to the transactions OF the earlier part
OF the day, and he circumstances npder which the
Railroad bridge wBs burnt, We add les words, be-
cause certain correspondents p their efforts to give
crtd to the troops OF another State. nnustv blame
the brigade of Gen. CLrNGMAN.
From conversation with those who ought to know we
learn that Gen. CLINGaAN early in the morning Of that
day. ordered By Gen. SMITH join Gen. EVANS and
bis brigade in making onnosance in force against
the enemy. From uudoubted authority we learn that
Gen. EVANS and bis brigade arrived in Golboro that
morning, by Bail Road from Mogely II ALL early as
suDrise 1t after asctrtaiUed that the enemY
approaching in great force, and Gen. CL1NGxAN
0Tdred by Gen, EVANS to go and fight them, and
assured that he, (Gen. EvANs) would follow immediate
ly and support him. For some reason however, Gen.
EVANS troops did Dot go forward the bridge as
expected.
From Gen. SMITHS report it appears that the Rail
Road bridge was not burnt until o'clock, P n. As
this bridge distant less than three miles from Colds
borO' we do not why, u period OF seven hours
which elapsed alter the arrival of the troops of General
Evans hrigads, they not marched to the point
across the bridge to did the troops that side We
learn that it srged that they should do So but they
we're not moved forward.
Gent Clingmsn had under bis command two regi- |
ments Of his brigade-tbe 9th and 5lst 4. Z. L.,
and the SD =. g. L., from Gen'l PettgreWs brigade.
With these and artillery he kept in check the entire
army OF the enemy. al leass twenty thousand srong,
With upwards q seventy pieces Of artillery, advancing
as they did, against him three different roads 1t
MT until after twelve o'clock, and after Gen. Chngoan
informed that Evans brigade had advanced down
the Railroad 80 aid Col POOLS battalion at the Rail
road bridge that be retired with bis regients under
heavy fire of the enemy, good order. to the county
bridge, which be held
It is not Cur puFposs to censurs any one, out we
think that If Gen. Evans brigade had moved in the
morning the river distance Of only three miles
which they could certainly have done in less than five
hours they might, in cooperation with Gen Clingnans
command have repused the enemy and saved the bridge
But if they could not promptly have done this certain
y the correspondents of the South Carolina papers
ought not to blame General Cliugman, if his brigade
alone not sufficient. We learn urther$ hat in the
afternoon Gen. Cngman crossed the river alone with
his four regiments the 6lst n o. T. having joined him.
to attack the enemy No other troops joined bis Coin
mand until the enemy had been driven from the line of
the Railroad along which they Lad been drawn up in
line of battle Subsequently Gen. Evans brigade did
cross the river aud take position IN line between the
light and left wings OF Gen. Clingman's brigade.
We have said this much an act of Justice to she
North Carolina troops who, tina day. made the at
tack which induced the enemy to retreat suddenly
We hope to be able to publish the official reports soon
The going down of the famous Monitor" has even
deeper significance than is involved in the loss of that
once formidable craft 1t ia this ALI tie feet OF
ron-clads intended to operate upon Atlantic and
Gulf coasts Monitors, that is, they are built on
tails, but departure from the extern al mooe gene
raj principles distribution of weight and forees
Now, If it be found upon trial. that the assertions OF
English authorities in regard to tee uDseavorthiness of
these vessels is true, then the Yankee iron cnd
navy shorn of nearly all E terrors. The loss of the
Monitor AID the wreck of the Gaena, (the latter not
Montor goes far to confirm the English opinion, which
bad already derived strength from the return |
to Fortress Monroe, in damaged condition, of the
Passaic, one of the new improved dorberectifed and
thrice invncbe products of the gsnihs Of that most
complete humbug of the age, hot.air Ericsson a man
who tried to palm Of upon the world caloric engine
bis invention, although it had been used and aban.
doned forty years ago at coal mines in Scotland and
who now claims the credit of adapting revolving tur
res iron cad vessels although diagrams of far ST.
perior vessels had been published years before Black
woods Magazine These turretted vessels. the idea
Of them had been years ago before the British and
French naval authorities and yet Louis Napoleon
Fvzho han NJ