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):
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.