Semi Weekly Standard

For the Standard

GOLDSBORO', N. C., Dec. 21, 1862.

Mr. Editor: - Having seen several accounts of the engagement of our forces with the enemy at White Hall Bridge, and knowing them to be imperfect, unjust and untrue, I have concluded to give you the facts as they are, and ask, as a favor that you give them an insertion in your paper, and request the papers of the State to copy. These facts may be unpleasant to some of our forces which should have been engaged, and who have taken great credit for bravery due to others.

The historian, in compiling a history of this war, will have to depend, in a great measure, upon our public journals for his material; therefore, it is of the utmost importance that the truth should always be stated in giving an account of an engagement with the enemy for publication. When this is done, the public can give credit to those who are justly entitled to receive it without having to wait for an official account.

The 11th (Bethel) Regiment N. C. T., commanded by Col. Collett Leventhorpe, was stationed at Franklin, Va., where, on Sunday the 14th, we received orders to go to the support of Brig. General Evans, at Kinston, who was there being engaged with a very superior force of Abolitionists, under Gen. Foster. At Weldon we were joined by portions of Col. Ferebee's and Col. P. G. Evans' Cav. alry regiment, dismounted, under the command of Gen. Robinson. On our arrival at Goldsboro', at midnight, we were met at the Depot by our energetic and patriotic Governor, who directed us to lose no time in getting to Kinston. On arriving at Mosely Hall, we were first notified that our forces had fallen back, but before doing so had inflicted great loss on the enemy. As our orders were to report to Gen. Evans, we proceeded to his headquarters, five miles below Mosely Hall. About daylight on Monday morning, information was received that a large force of the enemy were proceeding up the opposite bank of the Neuse towards White Hall Bridge. The 11th, Col. Leventhorpe, Col. Ferebee and Col. Evans' Regiments, under the command of Brig. Gen. Robinson, were ordered to proceed thither, burn the bridge and hold them in check. This bridge is ten miles from Mosely Hall and eighteen below Goldsboro'. We arrived at the bridge about 5 o'clock, P. M. After a reconnoissance by our commanding officers, it was thought best to destroy the bridge, whereupon, about forty barrels of rosin and turpentine was placed upon it ready for the torch. This had not been done but a few moments before the enemy made their appearance just as the torch was applied. They were evidently much disappointed, as they gave vent to their rage in curses loud and deep. The conflagration of the bridge was one of the most beautiful sights I ever beheld; the river for about two hundred yards was a complete sheet of liquid fire, caused by the large quantity of turpentine floating down from the burning structure.

Company C, Capt. Bird, was ordered on picket duty at the river for the night: the remainder of our forces fell back to a skirt of woods about a half mile from the river. During the evening we were reinforced by two sections, (4 pieces) from Major Moore's battery. We were enjoying ourselves finely before our camp fires, regaling ourselves on roasted sweet potatoes, when the enemy opened upon us and company C, at the river, a terrible discharge of grape, canister and shell, which was kept up very briskly for an hour; they were promptly replied to by our cool artillery men and company C, Capt. Bird, who were on duty near them at the time. I am sorry to say we had some very fine potatoes destroyed for the want of time to remove them from the fire before we changed our base. With this exception, no damage was done, and in the language of the saintly Abraham, we can truly say, nobody hurt.

We were permitted to pass the remainder of the night in peace, and were only interrupted by company A, Capt. Hand, being sent down to the river to support company C, fearing the enemy might make an effort to cross during the night.

On Tuesday morning the 16th, companies A, and C were relieved from duty by company B, Capt. Armfield, and company F, Capt. Small. About 8 o'clock, our pickets opened on the enemy, who were in very large force on the opposite bank of the river, distant from one to three hundred yards. In a few moments the ball opened with a terrific discharge of artillery and small arms. Col. Leventhorpe drew up the 11th in line of battle and awaited orders.- The 31st was ordered to take position on the river bank, but failed from some cause to do so, whereupon Col. Leventhorpe was ordered to advance, which was promptly done, and in as good order as though it were on battalion drill; they deployed on the river bank and in the swamp, under a murderous discharge of grape, canister and shell from 18 pieces of artillery and amidst the volleys of small arms from five full brigades of infantry; this was the time to try brave hearts; but the old Bethel was equal to the occasion, and under their brave and cool officers, went forward as though they belonged to Napoleon's old guard. The regiment acted as sharp shooters, and with their Enfield Rifles and Rifled English muskets, proceeded to do their duty in fine style, silencing their batteries one by one. After an engagement of five hours, the enemy fell back, leaving quite a number of their dead and wounded on the field.

From the best information which I am able to obtain, the enemy's force consisted of five brigades of infantry and cavalry, and 18 pieces of artillery (from 6 to 32 pounders) and not less than 20,000.

Our entire force did not reach 1,200, and there were only engaged, the Bethel regiment, 600 strong, supported by two pieces of artillery, of Maj. Moore's battery.

Under the command of Brig. Gen. Robinson, as cool and brave an officer as has yet drawn his sword in behalf of Southern Independence, our loss was very small, considering our position, the numbers engaged, and the distance between our forces, which at no time could have exceeded three hundred yards.

We have, however, to mourn the loss of some brave spirits, among them Lieut. Means and Sergt. Bristol.

Enclosed I send you a list of killed and wounded, with the names of their company; also the number killed and wounded of other regiments who were under fire but not actually engaged. Our total loss was killed 11; mortally wounded 1; and slightly wounded 45; of this number the Bethel regiment lost 7 killed, 1 mortally wounded, and 34 slightly.

The enemy, through some of their prisoners, admit a loss in killed and wounded of at least 1,200.

After the enemy's batteries were silenced, and the 11th regiment were withdrawn, the 31st, Col. Jordan was again ordered down to the river and fired a few volleys into the retreating enemy. By daylight on Wednesday morning, we were on the march for Goldsboro'. After a tramp of 20 miles, we arrived there just in time to see the Rail Road bridge on the W. & W. Rail Road in flames, and to hear the news that the enemy were in full retreat for Newbern.

An examination of the battle ground at White Hall bridge next morning, disclosed the fact that the enemy made a hasty retreat, as they left behind about 100 unburied dead, a number of wounded, besides several thousand dollars worth of stores.

The 11th is now encamped on the Rail Road within two miles of town, and have just been placed in Gen. J. G. Johnson Pettigrew's brigade. Our regiment is enjoying excellent health, although we have not been in a house or tent for the last eight days.

Your obedient servant,

C. S. BROWN. Capt.

Co. D, 11th (Bethel) Reg. N. C. T.

List of Killed and Wounded in the 11th Regiment.

Company B - Killed - Sergt Bristol and private W Duckworth. Wounded - John Correll, severely in thigh and ankle: H Shufller, slightly in head: A Loving, slightly in thigh: A Morison, slightly in hip; A P Warlick, slightly in head; Geo Lowdermilk, slightly in hip; Thos Dorsey, slightly in foot.

Company C - Wounded - Privates J Corprew, slightly on the head; W Brogden, slightly on head; H Bagemon, slightly in left hand; Wm Casper slightly in side and arm.

Company D - Wounded - Privates M L Walls, slightly in left hand; W P Powell, slightly in hip; Saml Poteet, slightly in face, R D Hicks, slightly in shoulder; Wm Melton, slightly in knee; George Causby, slightly in leg; Corpl J M Clay, slightly in shoulder.

Company E - Killed - Lt Means. Wounded - Walker, mortally; Hartline, Bird and Hartgrove, slightly.

Company F - Killed – Private Noah Rountree.

Company G - Wounded - Privates H A Davis and H Petty, slightly.

Company H - Wounded - Sergt Clarke and private Thrower, slightly.

Company I - Killed - Privates Gault and Dellinger. Wounded - D M Hoover, severely in arm; A Sherell and M Craft, slightly

Company K - Wounded - Lieut Young, slightly in the arm: privates C Morris, slightly in head and hand; M Morris, slightly in head; H Williams, slightly in shoulder; J Gudger, slightly in face; J Burns, slightly in shoulder; T J Alison, slightly in face.

The above is a correct list of casualties in the regiment.

Your obedient servant,

C. S. BROWN.