Hello Group, Here is Part 3. Enjoy!! Kinston FreePress 12 Dec 04 http://www.kinston.com/ Union troops remain Kinston-bound December 12, 2004 Lonnie Blizzard Special to the Free Press Editor's note: Lonnie Blizzard, former president of Lenoir Community College and a member of the Historical Preservation Group's Battle Commission, presents Part 3 in a five-part series focused on the first battle of Kinston during the Civil War. After a cold night's rest, Union Gen. John G. Foster ordered his men to continue the advance inland. They marched about 10 more miles along Trent Road to an intersection near Sasser's Mill. The right fork led directly to Kinston, according to Foster's report. Actually, it intersected with Dover Road at Wyse Forks, which to the left, led directly to Kinston (U.S. 70). Foster sent three cavalry companies up this road "to make a demonstration." His objective was to fool the Confederates dug in along Southwest Creek into thinking it was a direct attack. Foster and the main column of troops took the left fork, the upper Trent Road, for about four more miles before making camp. This today is along Middle Road in Jones County. Foster and his men camped near Shady Grove Church. Meanwhile, the three companies that proceeded toward Kinston on lower Trent Road (Wyse Forks Road) encountered two Confederate scouts. After being captured, they revealed that Confederate infantrymen were at the Becton Farm near Wyse Forks. Union troops dismantled and "sneaked up" on the Becton farmhouse and killed 13 Confederates, captured 11, and burned the house. By this time, it was dark. The three Union companies had difficulty in rejoining the main column. Foster had ordered no campfires that night. He was so near the Confederate line that he was afraid the fires would reveal his position. It was about 10 p.m. before the three companies could rejoin the main force. Foster used a similar maneuver the next day by sending a small contingent of Union troops "to feint an attack along the upper Trent Road" (N.C. 58). Once again, they determined that Confederates were dug in well along Southwest Creek (near Patterson's Chapel). After probing the enemy's position to determine its strength, Union forces withdrew "at a crossroads" (near Southwood School) before returning to the main column. Foster's march on Dec. 13 continued west parallel to Vine Swamp. This route today is Lightwood Knot Road. Again, his idea was to fool the Confederates into thinking he was coming to Kinston on one of the lower roads crossing Southwest Creek. However, he decided that the old Wilmington Road (today U.S. 258) would be the best route to make his attack. He surmised that the Confederates would be less prepared for an attack here than they would be at one of the three lower crossings, which would have lead more directly to Kinston from New Bern. Upon reaching a crossroads (Sandy Foundation), Foster turned his column northeast along the Wilmington Road. It wasn't long before advancing cavalry scouts reported back to Foster that they had been fired upon by Confederates who were dug in on the north side of Southwest Creek. Tomorrow: The Battle of Kinston Begins. Pullout box: Friday: Civil War comes to Eastern N.C. Saturday: Foster's troops leave New Bern for Kinston Monday: The Battle of Kinston begins Tuesday: The capture of Kinston Some of The First Battle of Kinston was fought on land that now is a historical site. Part of the battlefield, behind King's Restaurant on U.S. 70 East between Meadowbrook and Harriet drives, is being developed by the Historic Preservation Group and is open to the public. © 2004 by Freedom ENC Communications. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced without written permission from FENC Communications. For questions or comments about this site please email [email protected] *************************************************************************** Jewelle [email protected] [email protected] Researching: (Main Capitalized) BAKER, Barrow, BEAMAN, BLOUNT, Bonner, Bours, Braxton, CANNON, Carraway, COX, Chester, Dail, ELLIS, Faircloth, Gardner, HANCOCK, HARDEE, Hardison, Harris, Harper, Harrington, Heath, Hollyman (all sp), JACKSON, Johnson, Jones, Letchworth, Manning, McGLOHON (all sp), McGOWAN, McKeel, Mills, Mitchell, Mumford, PHILLIPS, Price, Shaw, Smith, Sumrell, Stocks, Stokes, Tyson, Vandiford, Walls, Walston, Weeks, Wilkerson, WINGATE, Wetherington, Worthington, plus ++++ GenealogyPITT Co NC Friends In Research (Serving all Eastern/Coastal NC Counties) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/genpcncfir http://groups.yahoo.com/group/genpcncfir/messages eMail scan by NAV & certified Virus Free