OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA IN 1863.
The National force in North Carolina was comparatively small during the year 1863, as it was the purpose of the Government only to occupy the important posts already gained there, and act merely on the defensive.
On Saturday, the 14th of March, a demonstration was made against Newbern by the rebel forces under General Pettigru. At about daybreak sixteen guns were placed in position near a small fort just opposite the town on the north, and across the river Neuse. The enemy’s artillery was supported by about three hundred infantry. Even while placing the guns in position they commenced a fire of shell and canister against the fort; but after firing a few rounds they sent in a flag of truce, demanding a surrender, with information that further resistance was useless, and they threatened a combined attack by the whole command under General Longstreet. Colonel Anderson, in command of the Union forces, with a view of gaining time for the National gunboats to get into position, asked for a half hour’s time for consideration and opportunity to consult with General Foster. The half hour was granted, and at the end of that time Colonel Anderson’s answer was ready—“My orders are to hold this place, and I shall never surrender it.” The rebels in the mean time having got everything in readiness in the event of such a reply, immediately opened a rapid and furious fire. Inside the fort the Unionists, desiring to conceal their real strength until a charge should be made, lay close back against the sand wall, and got themselves in readiness by biting off cartridges, and putting them up before them on the logs, that they might be able to open a quick fire upon the enemy when they advanced to the assault. Soon one of the gunboats was in position; and a schooner with one gun, and manned by negroes, was the first to enter the contest. The firing raged incessantly for upwards of four hours, though very ineffective, and the rebels were apparently gaining ground, when there came a favorable change to the Federals in the tide of battle. The gunboats came round from the Trent river, with strains of music floating on the air, and the batteries and gunboats poured forth a storm of shells, weighing from six to one hundred pounds; the rebels were compelled to retreat toward the bushes in great disorder. About fifteen was the enemy’s loss in killed, and thirty wounded. The Union loss was two killed and four wounded.
PROVOST GUARD ATTACKING THE RIOTERS.—SEE PAGE 235.
In April the town of Washington, on the Tar river, was laid siege to by General Hill. The town had but a very small garrison, and was but slightly fortified; but General Foster caused the works to be strengthened so that the Union force was enabled to hold the city till reinforcements arrived from Newbern, and the siege was raised.
Attack on Gum Swamp.—The next movement was made on the 22nd of May. General Foster sent Colonel Lee’s brigade, consisting of the Fifth, Twenty-fifth, and Forty-sixth Massachusetts regiments, a battalion of cavalry, and three pieces of Bogg’s battery, to report to Colonel Jones, who had declared his belief that the enemy’s outpost regiments at Gum Swamp could be captured. Colonel Jones ordered a portion of the brigade to attack the enemy in front, while the rest should close up on his rear.
At daylight of the 22nd, the main body of Colonel Lee’s command drove in the enemy’s pickets, and commenced an attack upon their front. Upon the rear, some of the Union batteries had been deployed, and immediately opened fire. The enemy made but faint resistance, and then scattered in confusion in every direction. One hundred and sixty-five prisoners were captured by the Unionists, and the rebel works were completely demolished. Colonel Jones then made a demonstration towards Kinston, a few miles distant; but the same evening his pickets were driven in, and he was attacked by the enemy in such strong force, that he was obliged to beat a hasty retreat, pursued by the rebels to the very edge of the Union outpost line. On the afternoon of the following day, the enemy again attacked the Unionists, but were severely repulsed at every point. In this second attack of the enemy, Colonel Jones was shot through the heart; and the army lost in him a gallant leader and efficient officer.