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.