Hello Group... The beginning article of the below Civil War series was not uploaded to the paper's website but I am trying to obtain a copy for you. Meanwhile, I'm posting the others for your perusal and enjoyment. Jewelle Kinston FreePress http://www.kinston.com/ Union troops begin march to Kinston December 11, 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 2 in a five-part series focused on the first battle of Kinston during the Civil War. By late fall 1862, Gen. John G. Foster, commander of Union Force at New Bern, had built the strength of his forces to about 18,000. He was ready to move further inland and try to cut off supply routes to the Confederate troops in Virginia. One hundred and forty years ago today, Dec. 11, 1862, a "splendid winter morning," Foster ordered the expedition to proceed. His forces for the march numbered about 12,000 strong, including 10,000 infantry, 300 pioneers (black troops), 40 pieces of artillery, and 640 cavalry, plus more than 200 supply wagons. The third New York cavalry was dispatched as scouts on the advance and on the side of the march. They were to act as provost guards to protect homes and probe the Confederate defenses. Foster took Trent Road west from New Bern. The Confederates obstructed his way by "falling trees, burning bridges, and setting up pickets." Foster was not pleased because he only advanced 14 miles on the first day. The column of troops was 4 ??les long. Trent Road out of New Bern today is Trent Boulevard. It intersects U.S. 17 and roughly follows it to Ten-Mile Fork. There, Trent Road follows Ten-Mile Fork Road across N.C. 41 where it changes its name to Wyse Forks Road. About four miles west of Ten-Mile Fork, Foster ordered his troops to make camp. During the night, some of the infantry advanced through the swamps to within three miles of Trenton. They engaged a company of Confederate troops and battled for a short time. A number of Confederates were killed or wounded, including the company captain. Four Union soldiers were taken prisoner by the Confederates, and two were wounded. The night was cold, especially for the troops trying to get their rest in bed rolls and sleeping out in the open. In fact, the water in their containers froze during the night. They were awakened the next morning to the sound of drum beats. Roaring fires were built from rail fencing. It warmed the men and thawed their water. After a hearty breakfast of hardtack and coffee, Foster ordered the march to continue. Meanwhile, the pioneers, working with the engineers, had pushed forward during the night, clearing trees the Confederates had cut across the road and rebuilding wooden bridges that had been burned. Trent Road in 1862 forked near Sasser's Mill. The road "leading directly to Kinston" was called lower Trent Road. It intersected with Dover Road at Wyse Forks. The upper Trent Road today is Middle Road and intersects N.C. 58 at Leslie White's store. Both roads cross Southwest Creek, which was the Confederates' outer line of defense for Kinston. Two other roads also led into Kinston: the Neuse Road and the Wilmington Road (today U.S. 258). © 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] *************************************************************************** [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