KINSTON, WHITEHALL, GOLDSBORO

NORTH CAROLINA.

Expedition, December, 1862.

In the Field, Fifteen Miles from}
New Berne, Dec. 11, 1862.}

Major General J. G. Foster commenced a movement of his army from New Berne this morning. At 3 p. m. we came upon the enemy's pickets (near our present camping ground), when three prisoners were taken by the advance guard of the Third New York Cavalry. In attempting to press forward we found the road densely blockaded by felled trees; this blockade extended for several hundred yards, being situated in the midst of a swamp possessing an abundance of creeks. Owing to this obstruction it became absolutely necessary to halt here for the night. During the same time the woods were cleared and with great rapidity, too, by pioneers from several regiments and a strong force of "pioneer contrabands"—the latter under the direction of the civil engineer of this department, Henry W. Wilson.

December 12, 1862.

During the past night the Ninth New Jersey Infantry, under command of Colonel Heckmann, advanced through the swamp and took up a position within three miles of Trenton, engaging the enemy successfully for a short time.

At 9.30 o'clock to-day we came upon a body of rebel cavalry and an ambush of rebel infantry. Captain Marshall, with Company B., of the Third New York Cavalry, charged the enemy's cavalry, driving them ahead, taking seven prisoners and wounding or killing the captain of the company, besides killing and wounding a few others. In this charge we lost four men, who were taken prisoners; also Franklin Kingsley, who was wounded in the leg, and Augustus G. Butler, who was wounded in the side. We had other light skirmishing during the day; also took a few more prisoners.

December 13, 1862.

We advanced at daylight, making several feints on various roads, but always finding the enemy posted in such a manner as to be able to destroy the bridges and otherwise retarding our movements. About 9 o'clock, Company K., Captain Cole, of the Third New York Cavalry, came upon the enemy at a place called Southwest Creek. The rebels had an earthwork thrown up directly across the road. Behind it they had posted four guns. Captain Cole attempted to charge across the bridge, but found it partially destroyed. He then retired a short distance, after leaving John Costello wounded in the face, when the rebels opened fire with their artillery and small arms. We returned the fire with carbines, driving the enemy for several minutes from a piece of his artillery, which was posted at the other end of the bridge. About this time Lieutenant-Colonel Mix arrived with a force of cavalry and a section of the Third New York Artillery, under command of Lieutenant Day. This section opened fire with shot with good effect.

Near 10 o'clock the Ninth New Jersey Infantry was brought into action; also Morrison's battery, of the Third New York Artillery. By the aid of both of these forces the enemy was soon driven from his position. As soon as the battery ceased firing, the Ninth New Jersey forded the creek and charged upon the battery. The battery was taken, the old flag of the Union waved over it, and cheers were given and an interesting scene enacted.

While the bridge was being rebuilt, and while the "black pioneer brigade" was again making itself eminently useful, Colonel Heckmann pushed forward with the Ninth New Jersey, again engaging the enemy, capturing a Rodman gun, killing three of the enemy and taking a few more prisoners. Colonel Heckmann was soon after supported by Brigadier-General Wessell's brigade.

Just as the sun was sinking in the west we came upon two regiments of rebel infantry and two of their pieces of artillery, posted on a rise of ground behind a dense woods. The Ninth New Jersey once more advanced and drove the enemy back upon their guns after a rapid and sharp fire, when Captain Morrison's battery, of the Third New York Artillery, forced him to retire from his position, ceasing his fire altogether. Before the Ninth New Jersey got engaged, Captain Cole, with Company K., of the Third New York Cavalry, charged the enemy, clearing the road and driving the rebels to the woods. In this charge Franklin Chapman was wounded in the leg. Night having set in, we encamped about three miles and a half or four miles from Kinston. In the evening affair our losses were: —— Clifford, of the Ninth New Jersey, jaw broken; and —— Neucommer of the same regiment, taken prisoner.

The Ninth New Jersey advanced slowly down the road and then into the woods on either side. These skirmishers stood their ground until their entire stock of ammunition was exhausted, when the Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania was ordered up to support the Ninth. They did their duty well. This was at 10 o'clock. The enemy having brought his artillery into action, we returned a similar and much more effective fire from Captain Morrison's battery, of the Third New York Artillery, the latter being posted in a small field, on a rise of ground, within eight hundred yards of the enemy. Soon after Captains Schenck's and E. S. Jenney's batteries were brought into play, from different and the best available positions on either side of the road. The engagement having become more general, Brigadier-General Wessell's brigade was ordered up. It comprised the Eighty-fifth, One Hundred and First and One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania, and the Eighty-eighth, Ninety-second and Ninety-sixth New York. After the Forty-fifth, Seventeenth and Twenty-third Massachusetts Regiments had been ordered up, General Wessell, who was on the field, ordered the execution of a flank movement on the enemy's battery. So it was that while a small portion of this force operated to the left, the remainder moved through a woods to the right, also flanking a swamp, and got a position on the line of an open field that enabled our men to play upon the enemy with intense effect and remarkable execution. The Ninth New Jersey, after sustaining a terrific fire from the enemy, obtained a position close to the bridge, being handsomely supported by the Seventeenth Massachusetts, and then it was that we found ourselves almost on the banks of the Neuse river, with a long fortification on the opposite side. This fortification, one hundred and seventy-five feet long, thoroughly commanded all the approaches to the bridge. In it and supporting it were three companies of light artillery, four companies of heavy artillery, two North Carolina regiments, the Second, Seventeenth, Eighteenth and Twenty-third South Carolina Regiments, a portion of the Third North Carolina Cavalry, part of Major Nethercote's battalion, and the Raleigh detachment, under command of Colonel Molett, who was wounded in the leg—in all about six thousand strong.

The Forty-fifth and Twenty-third Massachusetts Regiments advanced to the right and helped to execute the flank movement. While the above was being done, Captain Jacobs, with his company of the Third New York Cavalry and some light (Third New York) artillery, advanced on another road, to the right of the main column, and attracted as well as distracted the attention of the enemy.

Captain Jacobs came upon a regiment of rebel infantry, engaged them, drove them off with artillery, and then charged his men across, thereby saving quite an important bridge. Another diversion was created by Major Garrard, who was sent another road with a portion of his battalion of the Third New York Cavalry, one piece of Allis' Flying Artillery and two or three other light field pieces.

The gunboats, under command of Captain Murray, of the navy, and Lieutenant-Colonel Manchester, advanced up to the blockade and kept up a heavy firing. By this means General Evans was mystified regarding our order of movements that he would not bring the entire force under his command into operation in such a manner as to unitedly affect our main column.

After a sharp engagement for over three hours, we drove the enemy from his entrenchments and got possession of the bridge. The latter was fired in three places, but the Ninth New Jersey, a few of the Third New York Artillery, and the Provost-Marshal, Major Franklin, advanced in haste and put out the flames before the fire had done any material injury. Immediately our advance regiments crossed, when the Tenth Connecticut advanced upon the enemy and drove him over the fields forcing him to retreat to the further end of the town.

Kinston, N. C., Dec. 14, 1862.}
[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 quantity 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 shell the rebels across the town, firing low—in fact so low that some of the shells 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-generalship. Colonel Hunt, of the Ninety-second New York, made two splendid charges with his regiment, and will also be recommended for a brigadier-generalship. 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 shell 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):

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.

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.

To destroy the gunboat which was not fully completed, was one of our principal objects; but to do it in the face of an enemy, concealed in the woods on the opposite bank, was a different matter. In order to cast a heavy reflection of light on the enemy, we set fire to large quantities of turpentine, in barrels, in sheds and otherwise. This rendered the scene one of peculiar and lively interest. The flames ascended in all forms and to various heights, communicating to and firing many of the adjacent trees. During all this time the enemy laid low in the woods, only firing one or two small arms.

After brief deliberation, the Major determined to call upon some one to volunteer and swim the river; then, after swimming it, to board the gunboat and fire it. To do this daring deed, Henry Butler, of Company C, Third New York Cavalry, volunteered. Our artillery was ordered up, and opened with shell to the right and left of the bridge. Butler then undressed, ran down the bank, plunged into the river, and swam to the opposite side. He then started to get a fire brand at the burning bridge, when the enemy opened fire on him. Butler instantly turned and ran for the river, followed by a couple of the enemy (who quickly sprang from their hiding places), jumped into the water, was again fired upon, and finally reached his old position without injury. For this gallant act the Major highly complimented Butler on the spot and while Butler was in a situation not observable in civilized, unwarlike society. We then gave the enemy a severe dose of canister, and, finding that we could not well get over to the gunboat, we battered it to pieces with shot and shell. The vessel was a small one, flat bottomed, intended for fast river navigation, designed for one or two guns, built somewhat after the form of the Merrimac, iron plating and all. We then returned to camp, having accomplished our purpose.

In connection with our movements to-day I may add that the enemy was completely outwitted. From the fact of our having fought hard to save Kinston bridge, and then crossed to the opposite side, occupying the town, the enemy prepared to meet us at Mosely Hall—a small town adjacent to the line of the Goldsboro and Kinston railroad—supposing that we intended proceeding to that town along the right bank of the Neuse. Instead of that, as will be observed by what is above, we passed up on the other side, leaving Mosely Hall, with its armed force, far to the right.

SIXTH DAY.

Whitehall, Dec. 16, P. M.

The column again moved at an early hour this morning in the direction of Whitehall. As we neared the town an open space revealed our approach to the enemy, the latter being concealed in a thick woods on the opposite side of the river. Heavy skirmishing immediately ensued between the Ninth New Jersey and three regiments of rebels. Major Garrard who was in advance of the column, with three pieces of artillery and a squadron of cavalry, passed over a high hill behind the skirmishers, in full sight of the enemy, until he got to the left of those in action, and then opened with his artillery. In a few minutes other artillery came up, when the Major ceased firing. Although his cavalry force was in a position of great exposure, under a heavy fire for quite a while, still the loss was quite trifling.

Under cover of action on both sides, Major Garrard, with his command, pressed on past Whitehall, and made a rapid march (a distance of over twenty miles) to Mount Olive Station, a small place situated on the line of the Wilmington and Goldsboro railroad. While Major Garrard was away, in order to cover his operations, General Foster entered into a regular engagement at Whitehall.

The enemy, having destroyed the bridge over the river, showed that he labored under the impression that we would attempt to cross at this point; whereas, if he had not been so fast, he would have discovered that it was our intention to burn the bridge on the previous evening. The engagement at Whitehall lasted for over three hours. The enemy operated against us with a force of about five or six thousand infantry and three batteries of artillery. The Ninth New Jersey Volunteers, General Wessell's brigade, and a couple of Massachusetts regiments, were engaged in the fight. A few other regiments were brought under fire; and, as they lost a few men, I suppose they claim to being in the fight also. My accounts of the killed and wounded will explain the engagements in which the regiments participated. Neither in the battles of Kinston or Whitehall was over half our forces engaged at one time, especially not in the latter.

The better to deceive the enemy, General Foster made feint of rebuilding the bridge under fire. A feint was also made to cross the river; and a few of one of our Massachusetts regiments, not knowing that they were only to make a feint, actually swam across the river and got on the opposite bank. Of course they were forced back. Under the direction of Colonel Ledlie (acting brigadier-general), our artillery was so admirably posted and gallantly worked that we silenced the enemy's fire, and drove him, infantry, artillery and all, away far back from the river bank. After this we could, of course, have crossed the river; but the scope of General Foster's plan tended still more to deceive the enemy. Under cover of infantry firing and the working of two sections of artillery we passed on without further molestations and went into camp for the night several miles the other side of Whitehall.

Mount Olive Station, Dec. 16, 1862.

On leaving the main column we pressed rapidly on, on regular and by-roads until we reached a swamp. Here we struck a turpentine path, and after a full gallop of a distance of over four miles, came out at this station at 3 p. m. This action was a perfect surprise to the people of the place. The ticket agent was selling tickets; passengers were loitering around waiting for the cars, the mail for Wilmington laid ready on the platform, and a few paroled prisoners were in readiness to go to Wilmington, probably to fight again. As a matter of course, for the time being, Major Garrard put everybody under arrest. The telegraph wire was immediately and afterwards effectually cut and destroyed by Captain Wilson, of the Third New York Cavalry. Mount Olive is seventeen miles from Goldsboro, and as I have specified before, immediately on the line of the Goldsboro and Wilmington railroad.

Captains Wilson and Pond, with their respective commands of the Third New York Cavalry, were sent seven miles in the direction of Wilmington, to destroy an extensive bridge and trestle work. This they accomplished with great labor, after a few minutes' skirmishing and joined our main forces by dusk. In connection with the destruction of these bridges they also destroyed the track and set fire to cross ties in several places. While this was being done, Captain Jacobs, with a company of the Third New York Cavalry, and one piece of Allis' Flying artillery, was sent three and a half miles in the direction of Goldsboro, on the line of the railroad, to destroy the tracks, some culverts and a bridge. Just as Captain Jacobs reached the three and a half mile point the mail train from Goldsboro came rattling down. The engineer on the train, in coming around a sharp turn, observed ahead a heavy dark smoke, immediately whistled down brakes, and reversed his order of proceeding. Notwithstanding this, Captain Jacobs was enabled to bring his pieces of artillery into such a position as to give the retreating train the force of three shells. After doing his business, and well and ably developing the bumps of destruction in North Carolina, he joined us at Mount Olive just about sundown.

By this time we at Mount Olive Station had taken up a large extent of the track, destroyed the switches and did all the damage we could; then, about 8 o'clock, we set out for a change of base, made several strategical movements through woods and swamps and reached the camp of the great army about midnight, having cut across, as explained above, without moving on any main road more than five minutes at a time.

On leaving Mount Olive I paused for a moment to behold the sight presented to our view. I saw the railroad apparently on fire for miles in extent, huge fires of ties and warping rails, and the blank amazement that was but too evident on the faces of our newly released prisoners. The woods were bright and radiant with the reflected light; our hidden road was also illuminated, and all nature seemed changed—as the light reflected on the water in the swamp—if not to one of beauty, at least to a great degree of attractiveness. As we left, the boys gave three cheers for the Major's success, and the same was highly complimented by General Foster, on making his report to that officer.

We had hardly left Mount Olive Station over an hour when the enemy came down as near as he could with a so-called "Merrimac Railroad Car," and shelled the woods for quite a while.

SEVENTH DAY.

On the Field, Dec. 17, 1862.

We resumed our line of march this morning and got on a high hill and in full sight of a large force of the enemy drawn up in line on the railroad, without meeting anything of importance to impede our progress.

Having the advantage of position, being on a hill, over a mile from the railroad, with an entirely open country before us, the river on our right and a dense wood to the left—we opened on the enemy with shell. For a very short space of time the rebels stood their ground; but so accurately did we get the range of their position, rapidly throwing in the shells, that the enemy broke front and line, and commenced a precipitate retreat across the river on the railroad bridge. We kept up our firing with considerable rapidity, and by that means cut off the retreat of two rebel regiments, who fell back into thick woods on the other side of the railroad. Colonel Ledlie then moved a battery to within less than half a mile of the enemy's position. The Ninth New Jersey was sent, to support the battery, across an open field and afterwards beyond it, until the regiment got close to the right of the railroad bridge, and a short distance from the enemy and the river. While these operations were being carried out, the Seventeenth Massachusetts, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Fellows, moved to the left, into the woods, waded through a mill stream, and came out on the railroad line directly in front of the enemy. By this time and while the Seventeenth was slowly advancing, the enemy commenced a rapid fire of shot and shell from a battery concealed in the woods across the river, and to the left of the bridge, looking from our position, as also from their iron-clad railroad car, occupying a position on the other side of the river, close to the entrance to the bridge. At this point they also had sharpshooters, who tried hard, but did not well succeed in picking off our men.

By the time the action had become tolerably heavy we heard the whistle of an approaching train, and soon after learned from prisoners that the rebel General Pettigrew had just arrived with reinforcements in the way of a big brigade.

One of our shells was seen to pass along a platform car, thereby creating so much confusion as to delay General Pettigrew from coming immediately into action. Having got range of the train, we threw the shells in so fast that in a little while it moved further off and out of range of our guns.

The object of General Foster's penetrating so far inland being to destroy this railroad bridge, he now gave orders to have it burned. Colonel Heckmann, who got the order, called for volunteers to carry into effect the general's desire. Many volunteered from the Seventeenth Massachusetts and Ninth New Jersey Regiments, so the Colonel selected some from each regiment to go and do the work. Several advances were made to fire, but our men were driven back. In one of the advances a former adjutant of the Seventeenth was dangerously wounded.

Finally, Lieutenant Graham, of the Rocket Battery, and now acting aid to Colonel Heckmann, and Wm. Lemons, a private in the Ninth New Jersey, advanced under the enemy's heavy firing, when Lieutenant Graham got near enough to, and did fire, the bridge.

As soon as we saw the bridge in flames the General gave orders to have the railroad track destroyed. Two Massachusetts regiments, who had been lying in reserve, stacked arms and rushed upon the track with yells and cheers, and did the work of destruction at short notice. The rails and ties were thoroughly destroyed by physical power and the effect of fire.

General Foster having successfully accomplished all his plans, and more, to-day determined to withdraw his forces from the field, and to fall back to the first convenient camping place for the night. The column was got in motion (each regiment cheering the General as it passed), and we had advanced a considerable distance (probably two miles), with the supply train, etc. in front. When the rebels, seeing the last brigade, Col. Lee's, about to move, and some distance from the artillery, took courage and rushed out of the woods on the other side of the railroad, and gave the rallying cry and yell that follows it. Immediately afterwards two South Carolina regiments, who had come from Franklin, fired a volley and then charged with the bayonet on Morrison's battery. The enemy were allowed to get rather close to the battery, when the guns opened on them with canister. Belger's battery put in a powerful cross fire, and Col. Lee's brigade wheeled into line and did excellent execution. The rebels made this bayonet charge with great dash and courage, but, notwithstanding, they were repulsed with great loss of life, and an amusing and astonishing precipitancy.

Of course, this latter movement on the part of the rebels had the effect of halting our column for several hours. Not knowing but that they might be in strong force this side of the river, we made every preparation to enter into a regular engagement. However after a renewed fight, lasting nearly two hours, we again silenced the enemy's fire, and pursued our retrograde movement. In the last fight the rebels opened from two batteries instead of one—their iron plated car—and brought into action their infantry on both sides of the river.

In the battle of this bridge the rebels had, as prisoners report, between eight and ten thousand troops engaged. We never had over one-third of our force engaged. About nine o'clock p. m. our army bivouacked for the night, between Whitehall and the Goldsboro railroad bridge.

While the battle was progressing at the bridge, Major Fitzsimmons with his battalions of the Third New York Cavalry made a dash against Dudley Station, on the line of the Wilmington railroad, five miles from the Goldsboro railroad bridge, took prisoners several rebel pickets, captured and destroyed a train of four cars, took up three miles of the railroad track, burned some trestle work, a bridge, and other little et ceteras, including a most complete destruction of the telegraph line, and joined the main column without loss to his command. The Major also repeated a similar experiment at Everett Station, on the line of the same railroad. Major Garrard with his battalion of the Third New York Cavalry went (while the main army was moving) early in the morning to Tompkins bridge, over the Neuse river. He took with him a section of Ransom's Twenty-third New York Artillery. On arriving in the vicinity of the bridge Captain Jacobs, with his company of cavalry, was ordered to charge down to it. He did so, found the bridge in flames, and received fire from the enemy. It will again be seen that the enemy was deceived in regard to a crossing of the Neuse. The Major immediately opened with his artillery, and at the same time despatched a messenger to inform General Foster with regards to his position, condition, etc. As soon as General Foster received the information he reinforced the Major with four pieces of artillery from Angel's battery and the Forty-third Massachusetts Regiment under command of Colonel Holbrook. After a fight of over two hours we silenced the enemy's heavy guns and musketry, and returned to the main column with a loss of one killed and four wounded. Before leaving, our forces could go anywhere in that neighborhood, along the banks of the river, without being fired at. The rebels had eight pieces of artillery and four regiments of infantry at this bridge. About 10 o'clock Allis' Flying artillery, and Companies G, A, and D, of the Third New York Cavalry, in attempting to join the main column from another direction, were attacked by two pieces of the rebel's artillery, and, as is supposed, about a regiment of rebel infantry. In less than fifteen minutes our artillery silenced that of the enemy.

During the engagement a chaplain of one of the Massachusetts regiments, who was on the field, seeing one of the men of Battery B, Third New York Artillery, being borne off wounded, said to him: "Were you supported by Divine inspiration?" "No!" was the reply, "we were supported by the Ninth New Jersey."

On the battle field at Whitehall, Colonel Ledlie (chief of artillery) received a very slight wound on the hand from one of the rebels' shells.

During the progress of our operations there were brought into action, at various times, Belger's battery, batteries A, B, C, D, E, H, I, F, and K, of the Third New York Artillery, and the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth (independent) New York Batteries. The whole of our artillery was worked admirably.

Captain Morrison's battery of the Third New York Artillery had three men wounded, and lost the same number of horses. Captain Morrison took at the battle of Kinston forty-one prisoners, including two commissioned officers. At the battle of the railroad bridge he took seven more prisoners. When his battery was charged by the South Carolina regiments he kept up a steady fire until every round of his ammunition was gone, and then gave way to Captain Belger. Captain Riggs' battery was also engaged in helping to repulse the charge of the South Carolina brigade. In the battles of the 16th and 17th Captain Ammon's battery did good execution, and without sustaining any casualties in the company. These three batteries while in action, were under the immediate command of Major Kennedy. At Mount Olive Station, among the private papers of the postmaster was found the following: