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Ellsworth American
Ellsworth, Hancock County, Maine
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Major General S.G. Foster reports to General Halleck on the Union capture of Kingston, NC, on December 14, 1862, after battles at South West Creek and a marsh defile. Enemy force of 6000 retreated, leaving 11 artillery pieces, 400-500 prisoners, and stores; Union losses under 200.
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Major General Halleck, General in Chief:
I have the honor to inform you that I left Newbern for this place on the 11th inst., but owing to bad roads and consequently delays to my trains, &c., I did not reach the South West Creek, five miles from this town, until the 13th inst. The enemy were posted there, but a heavy artillery fire in front, and a vigorous infantry attack on the flank succeeded in forcing a passage, and without much loss.
This morning I advanced on the town and found the enemy strongly posted at a defile through a marsh bordering on a creek. The position was so well chosen that very little of our artillery could be brought in play. The main attack, therefore was made by the infantry, assisted by a few guns pushed forward in the roads.
After a few hours' hard fight, we succeeded in driving the enemy from their position. We followed them rapidly to the river. The bridges over the Neuse river at this place was prepared for firing and was fired in six places; but we were so close behind them that we saved the bridge.
The enemy retreated precipitously by the Goldsboro and Pikeville roads. Their force was about 6000 men, with twenty pieces of artillery.
The result is, we have taken Kingston, captured 11 pieces of artillery, taken from 400 to 500 prisoners and found a large amount of quartermasters and commissary stores. Our loss will not exceed 200 in killed and wounded.
(Signed) S. G. FOSTER,
Major General Commanding.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Kingston, North Carolina
Event Date
Dec. 14, 1862
Key Persons
Outcome
union captured kingston, 11 pieces of artillery, 400 to 500 prisoners, large amount of quartermasters and commissary stores; union loss not exceed 200 killed and wounded; enemy force about 6000 men with twenty pieces of artillery retreated.
Event Details
Foster left Newbern on 11th inst., reached South West Creek on 13th, forced passage with artillery and infantry. Advanced on Kingston morning of 14th, attacked enemy position at marsh defile with infantry and guns, drove them out after hard fight, followed to Neuse River, saved bridge from firing, enemy retreated by Goldsboro and Pikeville roads.