The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-02-23
- For the Western Democrat
THE LATE FIGHT NEAR NEWBERN
Headquarters 43d N. c. Regt,
Foh II 1854

the late affair at Bachelors Creek, is my excuse.
[ vouch for the truth Of the statement | send you,
being participant myself.
l commence my story by leaving Kinston in
time to spend Sunday night the 3lst ult, or rath-
part Of it, farm not more than miles
from the eneHsvs pickets, which extended On
road about half mile this side of Bachelors Creek
We bivouacked without fire at this point until L
O'Clock Monday morning, when our command
Hokes Brigade-receved orders to be up and on
the road. Our march was made very silently with
the evident intention of surprising the first picket
post and capturing the guard, if possible. That
plan, however failed, and as soon as the first shot
was fired the column pressed on rapidly in order
to cross the bridge over the creek before it could
be destroyed, but the guard at the bridge had
heard the shots fired at the post in front of them
and were prepared for US, for upon reaching the
creek and being on the point of charging over the
bridge, amid shower of rifle balls, heard from
a not to be doubted, that the planks had
been torn up from the bridge. Here we were, be-
tween and o'clock, "a m, with the bridge des-
troyed in front Of US and the poi,.t guarded by
strong picket, under'a hot fire Of musketry, and
knowing that every moment &as giving the enemy
time for re-inforcements. The bridge, or rather
the passage of it, was admirably fortified out
post, as there was "block house," which
proof against nusketry, and line of rifle pits in
addition. AS soon it seen that no crossing
could be made affairs then stood, Gen Hoke or
dered up one piece, perhaps section of artll-
lery, in order to knock down the "bock house
and so run the enemy from its cover; but owing
to the position Of the house, which low, that
the artillery could not be sufficiently depressed to
bear upon it; the darka Of the night, We fail
ed to disodge the enemy and as nothing better
could be done Gen II Hoke awaited daylight. This
gave the relnforcements time to come up. The
garrison Of the little fort raised cheer when they
saw that they had help, but we all felt sure that
it would be light enough for Us to see,
that the cheering would be all On side. AS
soon as daylight came Gen T1oke threw the 21st
Georgia and 21st North Carolina across the creek,
some distance. below the bridge. This crossing
was effected logs and trees thrown across the
streams, and under sharp fire of the enemy. The
plan this. soon as Col Mercer, commanding
the two regiments thrown across below, should at
tack the enemy his flank, Lit Col Lewis, conf
manding the Add N. c., was to lay the bridge, and
rush across, attacking the enemy 10 his 'front.'
Praise and partialty aside, both the plan and ex-
ecution was most admirably doue Co A Of the
I3d, and also party of pontooners bad already
armed themselves each with plank in addition
to his ordinary accoutreinents, and as as the
cheers of Col Mercer's men were heard the
creek and bis rifles firing, LIT Col Lewis with his
regiment-tEe 43d--made rush for the bridge,
laid their planks and crossed over in the face of
hot fire which on y ceased when the defenders OF
the block house were captured. The 43d pressed
with the rest of the brigade closely following,
and in very few minutes new line of battle was
formed. Caske's splendid battery Was with us,
and say that they left their part un-
done. They galoped to the front even to the
sharpshooters, unnlbered their pieces, fired, and
we're ready for another gallop ahead. The fight
here now closed Without moments rest, the
brigade pressed on, hoping to reach point where
our road crossed the railroad, in order to cut OFT
train which we knew had come up to the assist
ance Of the troops with whom we were engaged,
but unfortunately we were only foot cavalry and
as we came in about one hundred and fifty yards
of the road, the train passed. We had, however,
cut off great many stragglars, which were picked
UP here, besides section Of ri1ed glns and de-
tachment who we're on duty at another point on
Bachelors Greek. These two pieces and one i,
hundred aud forty men, surrendered themselves to
a body of our forces whom Gen Pickett sent back I
for that purpose. The whole command-that is,
Gems CorSes, Clingman's and brigade-had
now reached this point distant about miles from
Newbern General Clingman's and our brigade
moved still nearer the town, to within Il miles,
but nothing more of much importance was done.
[ only wish to correct some erroneous opinions
with regard to- the affair. For instance it has
been stated that Col Shaw Of the 9Th n e. Rrgt. !
was killed By negro while laying bridge That
is certainly mistake; he WIS. not engaged at the
time, was in rear of brigade and was struck
by an accidental shot at least quarter Of a mile
(if not half from the bridge, upon which it is
said that he was hyipg planks. Another instance
and am done No persons were burned in their /
houses at Thomasville, as stated as far as L
ever heard in fact, such reports must have had
no credence at first.
The lst North Carolina Battalion acted on the
occasion as sharpshooters and did their duty nobiy
Their gallant behavior cari not be doubted, since
their killed fell on the bridg ge with faces to the
enemy The other regiments OF the brigade acted
their parts nobly but were not called on as those .
fur battalions mentioned above. ID.