The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-07-28

and lelsurely through the streets of our
"City by the Sea, and Wilmington passed
under Federal control Continuing our
retreat up the Wilmington and Weldon
Railroad, the army after crossing the
North River halted for the night. The
enemy's cavalry pursued up to this point
and attempted by sudden dash to pre-
vent the burning of the bridge over the
railroad. They were promptly encoun-
tered by our rear guard under the brave
Capt @. G. Elliott and we're repulsed,
sustaining heavy loss. The next day the
march was resumed and without further
| fighting the army reached Goldsboro a
few days thereafter.
And now the closing scenes Of the
bloody drama of the Civil War was to be
enacted upon the soil of North Carolina.
Goldsboro became the objective point of
three armies. Sherman with $1,000 men
was advancing northward. Schofield
with his army corps of 81 900 raised the
| Federal forces to 10000 at Wilmington;
and Cox's division arriving at NeWbern
increased Palmer's command to Is, 900.
These different armies aggregatlng 49,
900 men, if allowed to concentrate would
make short work of the Confederate
forces whose total, including the rem
nant of Hoods army, did not reach 90,
900 men. The hope of successful resis
lance was indeed forlorn and the only
chance of any success was to fight these
armies separately.
The column under Gen. Cox, advan-
cling from NeWbern was encountered
AHO IF
by Hoke's division reinforced by the
67th and 68th North Carolina, and the
Junior and Senior reserves. Leaving at
midnight their entertainments along the
line of a creek Kirkland's, Hagood's and
OolQuitt's brigades under the guide of
Col. Nethercut of the Goth North Caro-
lima, (who was familiar with the coun-
try found themselves at day dawn on
the flank and rear of the enemy, and
forming line of battle in echelon of brig
AIDES, Xirkland's leading, burst upon the
surprised enemy and drove them in rapid
flight to the rear capturing 1000 prison
ers and 4 pieces of artillery. The enemy
had been driven nearly mile when
Palmer's division appeared upon our
right flank. The 18th was on our eX-
IRENE right and its advance having thus
become arrested Immediately changed
front to meet the enemy, and not know
ing their force, boldly charged the diVis-
ion and drove back that part of it in our
front, wounding their commander, Gen
eral Palmer. Finding itself overlapped
right and left, it deployed as skirmishers
with both wings refused, and held its
INF
brought up under the personal command
of Gen. Hoke, and thus had the honor of
preventing the flanking of our army.
Later a congratulatory order from Gen.
Kirkland was read to the regiment on
dress parade at GoldsbOrO compliment
ing it upon its splendid achievement,
The enemy proceeded to fortify their
position, and on the 10th Gen. Bragg
sought to employ the same strategy in
again attacking the enemy. 1t was con-
templated by reconnaissance in force to
develop the enemy's extreme left and re-
new our turning movement of two days
before. Kirkland's brigade was as
signed this duty, supported by the other
brigades of the division. Our skirmish-
ers were thrown out, supported by the
brigade, and engaging the enemy's pick
eff. drove them rapidly before us. Tie
e7emy's works were developed and, not
knowing that it was intended that we
should not assault, rushed upon the
works under the heaviest fire which we
had ever received. Notwithstanding the
brigade had lost one-half of It's number,
it reached the abattis and slashing and
held its position until ordered to with
draw. In this assault the heroic Capt.
Elliott added another gem to the diadem
of his military fame. The gallant Lieut..
Grimes, distinguished in many battles,
had been desperately wounded and be-
came a prisoner. This is the only battle
in which the regiment was ever re-
pulsed, and even here felt that if it had
received support its colors would have
been planted upon the enemy's works.
Sherman having reached AyerasborO it
became necessary to concentrate all
available troops in his front and Hoke's
division was withdrawn and sent by rail
to Smithfeld depot and marched thence
via Smithfeld to Bentonsyille. The
army of Gen. Sherman was moving from
Averasboro to Goldsboro upon two roads
running parallel and about ten miles
apart. Our division swelled our army to
about Is, 900 men, against Sherman's
10000. On the morning Of the 10Th
Jefferson @. Davis and Slocum's corps,
numbering about 35, 600 men, were at
tackled by our troops and driven back a
considerable distance, three guns and
nine hundred prisoners falling into our
hands.
The other corps of Sherman's army
came up and were thrown on our left
flank which had become much advanced
in the battle of the previous day. In
consequence of this movement 1t became
necessary to change the position Of our
army. The brigade of Kirkland deployed
as skirmishers held the enemy in check
while the entire army changed front, and
thereafter occupied position in the cen
ire and Joined in the repulse of the many
and furious charges of the Federals. In
this battle Capt. William Biggs, Com
pany II, was greatly distinguished for
his intrepid bravery. The brigade re-
ceived the special commendatiOn OF Gen.
JOS. Z. johnson for its valued services
in this engagement.
Thus closes the volume of the bloody
record of the 18th North Carolina troops
and their brave companions of associated
commands.
The army was withdrawn, retiring
through Raleigh and Chapel Hill and was
surrendered to Gen. Sherman at Centre
Church, Randolph county, at the final
capitulation.
Supplementing this record it would not