Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-02-26
REPORT OF GEN. cI.INGMAnT.
HEaDa'Rs CLIsGaAs,s BRIGADE,
RENCH - eD1vIeIoN,

a
accompanies BY only the 9Th n. Gregiment, command
| ed by Col Shaw.
! From Major Gen. Smith, orders received to
pass TO the south side of Neuse river and take posi-
ton iuermediate between Goidsboro' and Dudleys De
pot GA the line OF the rail road selected a point
where the rail road is crossed by the road from White
Hail. along which the enemy expected te approach
and which is about mile ard hall south OF the
rail road bridge. During tie day was inforced by
the 5lst y. g. reg ment Of my brigade, COMMANDED by
Lieut. Col Allen, just up from Wilmington 10 the
course o. the night following the SD n. G regiment
of Pettigrews bri ade, commanded by Col. Marshall
arrived with ordrs to repor to me- bat ODE held in
re serve il tie rear of the other two regiments.
On the mcroig the 18th, being informed by enc OF
Gea Smiths staff that be desired particularly 10 hear
from me, returned with him on the locomotive to
Goldsboro aud instructed by Gen Smith to report
to Gen Evans, and with my brigade to accompany him
in making rtconnCssarce in force to ascertain the
position ard strength OF the enemy Within fe" mo-
ments after receiving this order, dispatch placed
in my bands from my Ad uant General, stating that
the enemy reported by our scouts as being In three
miles OF nv posi- ion. This read to Gea. Evans
while he was in the presence OF Gen. Smith, and he at
once ordered me 60 and fight tbs enemy, saying
that be would follow with his brigade to support me-
Ga returning to my command, found that the enc
nv In heavy force both Of Infantry and artillery, were
advancing from the Souh asst across the open fields,
and also from the South along the hpe OF the railroad,
while their cavalry seen approaching along the
county road which passed in my 1t ought to be
stated that tie county bridge Is about enc half mile
above that of the railroad and that the road crossing
was nearly parallel with the railroad B!tween the
two is swamp but infantry pass along tie bank
Of TIE river without much dfhcuty, aud mile ard
half from the river the two roads are connected
cross road through plantation.
1t being impossible with only three regiments to hold
both the bridges and at the time fight large
army, Col. Marshall with the SD regiment was sta
tiontd in ont of the railroad bridge, and Col Shaw
with the 8h supported by section of .arts battery
in, field front nf he hriHr
while Gel. Allen, with the 5lst, between the two
to support either in of need
I he enemy soon opened heavily botl with canyon
and musketry against Col. Marshall, evidently with
view of reaching the railroad bridge. carried, there
fsre the 5st regiment to his support and placed it
bis right faux. So Eeavy, however, the fire from
the large force of he enemy that these regiments
broken and fell back. They rallied and taken
back to their posltl0n.
The increasing vteys of musketry, and the rapid
falling OF shells from the batteries OF The
my spite of all my forts to keep them longer in po
stion, caused them to give way a second time. 1t
being obvious indeed that 50 small force could not
long maintain q contest against such heavy Odds they
formed in the rear ard carried back in good order
to the county bridge and with theoree stationed there
re-crossed the river.
TO defend the bridge the two guns of Starrs bate
~ IN Ter tie command Of Lieut.. Fuller, were placed
near it, and Col MarshalS regiment lined the river
bank below, and Col Allen occupied it above, while
Col. Shaw's placed as reserve in the
For the defence of the railroad there in position
on the North 81 lie of the river Col POOLS battalion
with several pieces ct artillery Alter the above stated
dispositions had been made, possibly about an hour
later one of General Evans staff informed at the
county bridge that he desired to me. On my going
back 10 the field where he posted he told thaB
it all important to hold the county bridge, and that
must do it. | replied that the dispositions made |
was satisfied were sufficient, and on MY asking az to
the defences of the railroad bridge be declared that all
secure there but renewed his order to me to h1d
The county bridge.
Not long after my return to it. I vas informed that
he railrou bridge was fire. After it was burned |
he cannonade OF the eueny ceased. At later period
Gen. Evans sgain sent for me-, and my going back
20 bis ST. 0u he ordered to advance across the
bridge with my entire command ard attack the enemy
nd feel his strength
The 61st n. G. regiment of my brgane in charge OF
Lieut. Coz Devane having by this time arrived it, with
he three Already u-der my command and the two field
pieces above mentioned, were moved across the river
5kirmishers thrown forward in all DIRECTIONS, and
he enc found to be posted from the river for
nile and half aiorg the rail road in line OF battle, but
veil protected by the high embanknent Of the road in
rOat OF them The regiments of Shaw and DeVane, ard
he two guns moved along the county road, while
carried rapidly possible the regiments of Marsh
Ill and Allen down the river bank, and placed them in
ine within less than three hurdred yards of the enemy
light, but in ,Cs0n where they were pretty well pro-
ected from the artillery. They instructed to lie
Town and &c make reply to the eneRys fire. and not
ttempt to pass across the open field between them
md the enemy until they should hear our attack on the
light. As soon, however, hat occurred, they were
rdered to RISE and with shout to Tor ward at
nn, and carry if practicable the embankment behind
which the enemy were posted. Reoining the other two
egimen's led them along the county road and from
by the road, through open fields aginst the
ny's left wing. [ then formed them in line of battle
he right of Col Shaw renting the cross road, while
lis lett and DevaDes extended towards the enen1y's
ontre.
O. of the Fl Id pieces unfert lnaeIy from the giving
way Q! bridge, tell into ditch and not gotten
ut n time to take part in the action. The other piece
Moved along the road the right of our line, and
t5ef protected its right flank by skirmishers who
the ground Tor several hundred yards. Before
reached the rairo d. however the enemy abandoned
t, and we occupied it without struggle.
The two regiments statitned the river likewise
dvapced to it without oss and, [ subsequently,
earned Gen Evans brigade filed up the centre
After retreating from this position the enemy occupied
higher field in our front with a large number of can
on and heavy bodies of infantry drawn up 10 two
mes with interval Of two undred yards be-
ween them.
As Lieut.. Fuller opened on them with lis
un their artillery which had previously directed its
against left where the regiments of Mashal and
Allen stationed, was shifted and its concentrated
oleys were poured upon our right Their position
within four hundred yards there while from
ur left it more than a half mile distant. With
be large number of pieces they had in play it is
'onder that they did not succeed in disabling single
IN.
Notwithstanding the disparity of force ard the loss
several of his men, Lieut.. Fuller with the greatest
alanry continued to reply until darkness put an end
the contest. ,
During the evening the regiments Of Coils Marshall
nd Allen, by Gen. Evans order as have since learn
], made charge against the enemy's position On the
i'll. They advanced most eourageous'y, but re-
ulsed by heavy showers of grape and musketry. AS
tbOuSaOdI