Hello Group.... This is Number 5 ... the last article in this series.... still trying to obtain Article One for you. Kinston FreePress http://www.kinston.com/ Union takes Kinston; many captured, wounded December 14, 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 5 in a five-part series focused on the first battle of Kinston during the Civil War. The battle for Kinston continued on Dec. 14,, 1862. Some junior officers' reports separate the two days as Dec. 13th, the Battle of Southwest Creek, which is often confused with later actions along Southwest Creek, and the Dec. 14th Battle of Kinston. Preferably, it was a two-day Battle of Kinston. From Gen. John G. Foster's report: Sunday, the 14th instant, I advanced the column, and when about 1 mile from Kinston encountered the enemy in strong force. They were posted in strong position in the wood, taking advantage of the ground, which formed a natural breastwork. Their position was secured on their right by a deep swamp and their left was partially protected by the river. Much detail follows in Foster's official report about how he maneuvered his forces to advance upon the Confederate's final line of defense. He continues: Which, with the advanced already made (slowly, but surely) of the entire line, forced the enemy to retreat precipitately for the bridge over the Neuse, which they crossed, firing the bridge, which had been prepared for that purpose. Several regiments were so close, however, that about 400 prisoners were taken from the enemy. A line was formed to the river and the fire extinguished before great damage was done. Gen. Nathan Evans' final line of defense, referred to in Foster's report, ran from the Neuse River near APAC-Barrus Construction Company and formed an arc behind King's Restaurant, across U.S. 258 near Measley Road, and tied in to a deep swamp near the Comfort Inn. Only about 800 feet of the earthworks are still standing just east of U.S. 258. Evans' 2,000 troops lay in wait for the attack to begin. From his official report: On the morning of the 14th (Sunday), being informed by Colonel Radcliffe that the enemy was approaching his position, I directed him to open fire while I would attack his left. I ordered an immediate advance, and soon became engaged with my whole line with the enemy in heavy force - supposed to be about 20,000. The action lasted three hours, when ascertaining his greatly superior force, I retired with my command across the Neuse Bridge, when the enemy pursued with heavy fire, stormed the bridge, and drove me back to the town of Kinston, capturing about 400, including no (number of) sick prisoners. Evans' right flank was commanded by Col. Peter Mallet. The bridge across the Neuse was known as the Jones' Bridge and was just downstream from the present bridge. There was also action along the Neuse River. Three navy gunboats and five steamboats were sent upstream to assist Foster's land forces. Confederate Col. S.D. Pool had a battalion of heavy artillery well entrenched below Kinston on the north side of the river. A combination of obstructions, low water and Pool's guns kept the fleet from reaching Kinston, however. Evans withdrew his troops from Kinston and proceeded toward Whitehall and Goldsboro on the north side of the river. General Foster and his troops spent the night of Dec. 14 in Kinston before recrossing the bridge and burning it. They proceeded toward Whitehall and Goldsboro on December 15th on the south side of the river. Foster's inland expedition resulted in 90 Union soldiers killed, 478 wounded, and nine missing. On the Confederate side, 71 were killed, 268 wounded, and over 400 captured. Typically, many of the wounded died within a few days after the battles. No lasting results were accomplished; Kinston was vacated without major damage, the gunboat at Whitehall survived, and the railroad bridge at Goldsboro was quickly repaired. Foster and all the Union troops returned to New Bern by Dec. 21, 1862. © 2004 by Freedom ENC Communications. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced without written permission from FENC Communications. 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