Wayne County NcArchives History .....Battle of Goldsborough
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Weekly Standard, Raleigh, NC
Wednesday, Dec 24, 1862

Battle of Goldsborough

On Wednesday last the enemy approached Goldsborough on the south bank of the
Neuse in force and about 1 p.m. a sever engagement took place near the 
Railroad bridge, some two miles south of the town. It is stated that the
enemy burnt the bridge, but our troops crossed over on the County bridge,
a mile or so above, and drove the enemy about a mile. We were driving them
at sun-down Wednesday. The Progress of today has a dispatch, dated the 17th,
from which we take the following:

"Battle raged furiously all day on David Everitt's farm and in the vicinity, the 
right wing of the Yankees army extending nearly to Neuse river, about four miles 
hence. 

Between two and three o'clock six Yankees, under cover of pines, reached the
Railroad bridge, set it on fire and entirely consumed it. Five of the rascals 
were killed on the spot.

Late in the day our forces gallantly repulsed an attempt of the enemy to cross
the county bridge and drove them back from their position on the other side of 
the river. Our troops fought like veterans and when the firing eased at dark
Had gallantly maintained their ground."

We have no information as to the killed and wounded on either side.

Gen. G. W. Smith was in command of our forces. Gen. Pettigrew is said to have been 
present with his brigade. Generals Clingman, French and Martin are said also to 
have been present.

Our forces on Wednesday evening were about 17,000, with reinforcements hourly
expected. A correspondent of the Progress says that intelligence had reached 
Goldsborough that Bank's column had probably joined Foster's, making some 40,000 
or 50,000 of the enemy. Gen. Smith is represented as sanguine of success, and it 
is reported that Gen. Lee had telegraphed him that he could spare him, if 
necessary, 30,000 more men.

The enemy are believed to have 1,500 cavalry and 40 pieces of artillery.

The Railroad south of Goldsborough has been torn up for some distance by the enemy,
and of course all communication with Wilmington has been cut off.

It may be that the battle has been renowned today. We will give the latest news up
to the time of going to press.

Among the wounded who reached this place on Wednesday evening was Maj. John A. Graves 
of the 47th, who was injured in the leg by the falling of his horse on Monday.

Latest: We learn as we go to press, that a dispatch has been received stating that
the enemy had disappeared south of Goldsborough.


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