Year: 1862


the wharf from Newborn.


Wednesday night passed without any attack, and Il
determined to the condition OF matters and
since the rebels wouldn't TO Us we decided to 70 to
them.


Accordingly on Thursday morning reconnaissance
in force started from here under command Of Lieutenant
Colonel Osborn, commanding the Twenty fourth Mas
sachusets regiment accompanied by Colonel Potter,
Of the First North Carolina Union Volunteers and Lieute
nants Strong and Psndeon, the two latter officers act
ing as aids Tho expedition consisted Of the Twenty
fourth Massachusetts, regiment, Company Of the Third
New York cavalry under command Of Captain Jocknick
and Lieutenant Allis, and detachment from Colonel
Howards Marine Artillery, under command Of Lieut..
Avery.


gay Infantry and artillery having taken up the line Of
march, Formed Junction with ts cavalry on the out
skirts Of the town. when all advanced along the Green
vile road while the gunboat Picket Captain Nichols,
proceeded up Tar river and sheled the woods ahead


We soon left the town In and gradually pene
Eaed the country, through which the road wound In
most circuitous, or rather tortuous manner. To
left we could hear the gunboat cannonadng along the
river, and occasionally catch glimpse Of her masts
through the trees Owing the necesstyo great caution
prevent surprise by ambuscade large body skr-
mishers thrown ont in advance, who secured the
woods aud bush either side Of the road Our progress
was consequently greatly rctaroed


We crossed Cherry passed tho OF the recent
brilliant skirmsh Of our cavalry with the enemy and
reached Four Corners without any incident Of note oc
CURING and without the slightest Of the enemy
We mile from Tranters creek and, IS it was
known that the bridge the main or Greenvile road
had destroyed the column took another road on the
right which crossed the creek little distance higher
up We were out Of sight and hearing Of the run.
boat


Pursuing this road for nearly two miles wo reached
the house Of . widow woman named Hodges, which is
but few yards from the creek Here temporary halt
was ordered, during which the men refreshed them.
selves after their weary march with drangnt Of water
from the well. The widow, being questioned denied
knowing OF the presence Of the enemy but ono Of the
slaves informed that tho rebels taken dinner with
her that noo had gone away again across the bridge
Of were indignant st this falsshood on
her part and when they subsequently near being
entrapped by rebels their anger could hardly be
strained and It is wonderful that they did not burn down
the house. We also learned here that secession farmer
named Latham had perceived coming and fed across
the woods in advance to warn the enemy.


In order understand tho progress OF the Hrnt n
may be wo to hero give brief description OF the vci
nifty. The road, near where II crosses the bridge de-
scends through ravne or gorge, and turning suddenly
10 the left skirts along By the edge Of the creek which
at this point is more properly wide pond or swamp,
filled with stumps Of On the bridge are saw mill
and cotton gin whose power derived from the flowing
the water The rebels had up the boards Of the
bridge between the two buildings, and with them con-
structed breastwork If might be called near the
cotton gin. t-


The column At length got in motion again from tho
widows house, and the skirmshers having descended
the ravine cautiously moved towards the bridge The
ady was A spd,
mand Of Lieutenant Jarvis. Coming from under cover
Of the trees they moved up the inclined plane at the foot
OF the BRIDGE and suddenly discovered row OF heads
behind the breastwork Of boards and guns all level
led towards them. Sergeant Shepard and a companion
fred and heavy volley came in return Lieutenant
Jarvis fell at the frst fire. The rest OF the advance re
turned the voey and then fell back on the main body
Colonel Osborn immediately ordered forward the arti
ley and in less time than It takos to narrate II tho
gallant Marines undsr Lieutenant Avery came dashnr
down the hill with their guns which they stationed one
bearing the encmys 'front.' through the arch of the
sawmi the other TO the left Of the bridge and rakng
the enomy their right flank. Tho main body Of the
infantry also came forward the double quick while
Capt Jocknck formed his cavalry the brow of the hill
ready charge the enemy the decisive moment though
1t afterwards happened opportunity was afforded
TO his 70 strike blow, owing the nature OF tho
affair On account OF tho narrowness Of the road only
three companies Of the infantry could be brought into
action at once and the rest disposed Of in the rear
where they were ordered to lie down. With one COM
pany in the road and one on either SIDE the engagement
regularly opened on side Lieutenant Avery dis
charged several rounds OF shell canister at tho one
my position; for they concealed In the bridge
and bohind the trees as to be completely Of sight
The infantry poured terrific fire across and on either
side OF the BRIDGE the rdded posts OF which
otol.o nofth eho hall
ing and repassing number OF rebels had secretea
themselves the loft Of the cotton GIN and were firing
very briskly when driven out by shell which Iieuts
Avery lodged in the building. Others again wore
discovered ensconced in the eo tops the opposite
side Of the creek Lieutenant Avery elevated his pieces
and fired couple OF rounds Of canister through tho
branches whereupon several bodies TO fall to
the ground sight OF which boys burst into pro-
ionged cheer yell Tho steady firing OF tho artillery
and the vosys from the Twenty fourth at length drove
the rebels from the bridge and falling back they kept
up dcsulsory rs from tho and the edge Of the
creek. Az length the word was given to charge.
The artillery fred round to clear the way,
and under cover Of tho smoke and tho or.
bayonets, dashed upon the bridge, and, headed by
Colonel Potter advanced to the point where the
boards had been taken up Replacing them az best they
ted occupants Of the field for the rebels had fed down
tho creek and through the woods leaving behind them
tnree VI quantlty muSketS, ,BnOt
guns swords sabres and other weapons Their rou was
thorough and complete The ground was covered with
pools Of blood showing that their loss was pretty heavy
though is impossible to ascertain the figures as
they carried OH all their dead and wounded except the
three bodies above referred which they could not
re- cue owing the heavy fire q our artillery spot
where they were lying At the opposite side Of the
bridge the rebels had thrown up temporary breast
work OF ceton bales In angular shape with the
nearest tho approach from the bridge; but failed
serve them q means Of defence.


Our loss on the battle ield was four killed and twelve
wounded but three OF the latter ded after the h
30 that stands killed and wounded.


Colonel Osborn, Colonel Potter and Lieutcnants Pen
deton and Strong deserve praise for their intro
pidy in directing the various movements and all the
men, both soldiers and Sailors deserve the honor OF
wearing the words 'Tranter's Creek, June 1882
thor banners in future Lieutenant Avcry, of the Ma
rine Artillery, is also deserving OF much praise fer tho
cooness which he displayed in working his guns in tho
hottest OF the fro


must not omit 10 mention the namas OF Dr Curtis
Acting Regmsnta surgeon, and Hospital Steward Nc.
Gregor. Az the action cofhfisnced Dr. Curtis
established the hospital In building near the bridge
and though the bullets aned about the place he was un