Part 1 (2/2)

[AFTERNOON.]

Your correspondent crossed with the regiment, and Ninth New Jersey, and found lying on the bridge three or four men who had been shot down, smothered by the smoke, and burned by the flames; also an abundance of arms. Soon after we found that we had captured eleven pieces of artillery, taken 400 prisoners, (all of whom were paroled by the provost-marshal), 1,000 rounds of heavy ammunition, 500 stands of arms, a dozen or so gun carriages and a large quant.i.ty of commissary and quartermaster stores. These latter were solely saved through the exertions of Major Franklin, who found them in flames at the storehouses. We found the railroad depot in flames and that was also saved.

On looking around the town we found every evidence of our large and small shot having taken excellent effect. By the time two or three of our regiments had crossed, Major-General Foster dispatched Col. Potter, under a flag of truce, to communicate with Gen. Evans, and to demand a surrender of his forces. The flag was recognized. We found the rebel regiments retreating up the railroad and on the road and in various ways, straggling and otherwise, toward Goldsboro.

General Evans refused to comply, on high military grounds, etc. Soon after our artillery commenced anew to sh.e.l.l the rebels across the town, firing low--in fact so low that some of the sh.e.l.ls swept very closely over our heads. General Evans then sent, by flag of truce, his compliments, etc., to Gen. Foster, and requested a place of safety for the women and children, as he intended to return the fire from his artillery. Our artillery ceased firing, and the women and children that could be found were conducted to a place of safety, when, we found, on preparing again for action, that the bird had flown; that General Evans had succeeded during the flag of truce operations in safely conducting off what remained of his entire command. We then advanced a short distance and encamped for the night.

Our loss in wounded is between 100 and 120. Our total loss in killed, wounded and missing will not exceed 150. Colonel Gray, of the Ninety-sixth New York, was killed. Two or three other officers were wounded. We cannot at this time ascertain the names of these.

All the combinations worked well, and General Foster deserves great credit for not only his plan of operations, but also the effective manner in which he carried them out.

General Foster will recommend Colonel Heckmann, of the Ninth New Jersey, for a brigadier-generals.h.i.+p. Colonel Hunt, of the Ninety-second New York, made two splendid charges with his regiment, and will also be recommended for a brigadier-generals.h.i.+p. The Tenth Connecticut lost heavily. They fought until they used up all their ammunition, and then advanced with the bayonet.

General Foster highly commends Colonel Ledlie, acting brigadier-general of artillery, for the energetic and skillful manner in which he operated a portion of his pieces, or those brought into action.

During the engagement, Captain Cole, with Company K, of the Third New York Cavalry, was in position in the nearest open field, ready for a charge, if such a thing was possible, notwithstanding the shot and sh.e.l.l which fell around the company on all sides.

During the whole affair all the troops engaged behaved with great courage, and promptly executed the orders of the commanding generals.

We advance for Goldsboro at daylight to-morrow.

On the road, just after crossing the bridge, we found the following letter (it evidently had been dropped during the course of the enemy's hasty retreat):

GOLDSBORO, Dec. 14, 1862.

_General Evans_: All the men I have here have been sent to you.

You received them last night. Rogers is nearly with you, 400 strong. I understand from rumors that three other regiments are on their way here from Petersburg.

J. A. J. BRADFORD.

We learn that the Rogers force arrived just in time to retreat.

The rebels destroyed some eighty or ninety bales of cotton. This we found burning as we entered the town. Most of it belonged to a Scotchman named Nicolo.

During the evening a house accidentally got on fire, when the flames communicated to three or four others, all being destroyed. Energetic measures were taken to subdue the flames.

The provost guard arrangement works admirably. Little or no damage is being done. The good conduct of the troops is remarkable.

FIFTH DAY.

IN THE FIELD, DEC. 15, 1862.

We moved out of Kinston at a very early hour this morning, and marched up the line of the Neuse River on the side opposite to that place. The road lay through a section of country hilly and comparatively poor.

During the day we came upon the enemy's pickets and drove them in, taking three or four prisoners. By sunset we had marched seventeen miles. We then bivouacked for the night. This day's march was considered a very good one, considering the fatigued condition of the troops. On marching out of Kinston and recrossing the river the bridge we so fortunately saved the day previous was totally destroyed, in order to defeat any design on the part of General Evans to follow up and attack us in the rear. When the main column halted for the night Major Garrard, with his battalion of the Third New York Cavalry, and a section of Captain Jenney's battery of the Third New York Artillery, were sent forward to dash into and take a small town on the Neuse, known as Whitehall. To do this we had to go a distance of three and a half miles from the main column. This we accomplished at a full gallop; but, notwithstanding we pushed forward so rapidly, we found on our arrival the bridge over the river in flames. We also learned that a Virginia regiment had just retreated across the bridge, and that they would be heavily reinforced on the following morning. The Major immediately ordered a reconnoissance of the whole position by dismounted cavalrymen.

In this reconnoissance we found previous reports confirmed, in that we discovered a rebel gunboat on the other side of the river.

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