The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-24
A MOVE On K|NSION
How Col. CIaasen Tried to
Take the Town in 1864.
The Plan Failed Because of Kinston's Strategic
Situation, Good Defense and
Good Luck.

Good Luck.
Kinston, the county seat of Lenoir
county, is situated on the north side of
Neuse river, about thirty miles north
west of New Bern. The latter town was
captured and held by the Federal forces
during the greater part of the war, but
the former held out until near the, end.
1t was for a long time an objective point
for the forces stationed at New Bern, but
the difficulties of a march through the
country and the fear of Confederate re-
Inducements from Virginia saved the
town from an actual seige.
The situation of the town is strategic
and quite favorable for defense against an
enemy that would be Obliged to approach
from the east. Neuse river flows eaSterly
until it reaches point about one mile
south of Kinston, when it bends nearly
north, thus forming a protection for two
sides. On the side next to the town there
is a stretch of marsh and tangled forest
that would be utterly impossible for an
army and is penetrated only in two
places-in one by the Atlantic and North
Carolina Railroad, and in the other by
the county road. Along the course of the
river an/embankment was thrown up for
a long distance, extending from the
town to the railroad bridge. This en-
bankment exists as a permanent remin-
der of those days of danger, there hav-
ing been no possibility of levelling it by
the cultivation of the soil, as in many
other places. On the other side of the
river the remains of extensive breast
works and entertainments are still to be
seen.
The Federal forces had possession of
the railroad and most of the country as
far as Cross Creek, a station on the
railroad ten or fifteen miles from New
Bern. The country above Cross Creek
up to Wise's Fork. about six miles from
Kinston, is described by Col. Claasen as
"a veritable wilderness, barren of all
subsistence for man and beast, even
water not being obtainable, except in
the swamps." In attempting an advance
on Kinston there was much difficulty
on account of the narrowness of the
roads while there were many little cross
roads and by-roads that were made dan
gerous by the crossing of the creeks.
Bridges had to be constructed over the
ter an army had passed that struggling
parties would come up and tear them
away. leaving no dependence in case of a
retreat.
The movement of Col. Claasen occupied
the time from the morning of June 21st
to June 24th, 1864. He had 331 men of the
One Hundred and Thirty second Regi-.
ment of New York Infantry $40 of the
Fifteenth Connecticut Infantry, a of the
Third New York Artillery, and IS of the
Twelfth New York Cavalry. Captain
Thomas B. Green was sent on ahead to
take a position fianking the enemy's
strong works on Southwest Creek, about
three and half miles south of Kinston.
He was to lie hid in the swamps until
10 p. m., June 1st., then to assail South
west Creek entertainments, while Col.
Claasen moved on the direct front.
At o'clock on the afternoon of the
21st., Col. Geo. B. Hitchcock was sent
forward on the Neuse road to Mosely's
Creek, while the rest of the force moved
on the Dover road to the left of them to
Dover depot. 1t had been agreed that
at 10 o'clock sharp all three bodies of
troops were to advance, capture and
fight up to Southwest Creek, and if
practicable, unite and advance on Kin
ston. Col. Claasen moved along the main
road, and when he reached the mill dam
on Southwest Creek he found that Capt.
Green was occupying the Confederate
works, where he had captured five Off
GERS and forty men, including Col. Folk,
the commanding officer of Kinston. He
had left his artillery at WiSe's Forks,
about three miles back, that being an
open location and easily accessible in
case of a retreat, on account of the meet
ing of so many roads. His baggage
train, ambulances, etc, were so arrang
ed that in case of retreat, he could
move either by the Dover or the Trent
road without confusion or loss.
About daybreak Col. Claasen sent
Lieutenant Gill beyond the creek to as
certain, if possible, the Confederate
strength He found that a force intend
ed for Wilmington had been concentrat-
ed in front and that he would be obliged
to cross a wide bridge, besides dislodg-
ing the enemy from strong entertainments
with two seige guns covering and facing
the road of approach, The only approach
to Kinston was fortified on the south side
of the river in the shape of half circle,
so that it could be held against large
force by small body of determined men,
the Confederates having twelve pieces of
field artillery, with some infantry and
davalry. Knowing that with his small
force he was liable to be cut off should
he advance too far in the direction of
Kinston, Col sClaasen ordered the cap
tured works to be evacuated and all the
bridges to be destroyed by the reconnoit-
ering party as they retired, and then fell
back upon the Trent road, while Lieu
tenant Col. Hitchcock and his command
retired by the Dover road.
L. T. RIGHTSELL.
Wottorson nm Cleveland