unts of the killed and wounded will explain the engagements
in which the regiments participated. Neither in the battles of Kinston
or Whitehall was over half our forces engaged at one time, especially
not in the latter.

The better to deceive the enemy, General Foster made feint of rebuilding
the bridge under fire. A feint was also made to cross the river; and a
few of one of our Massachusetts regiments, not knowing that they were
only to make a feint, actually swam across the river and got on the
opposite bank. Of course they were forced back. Under the direction of
Colonel Ledlie (acting brigadier-general), our artillery was so
admirably posted and gallantly worked that we silenced the enemy's fire,
and drove him, infantry, artillery and all, away far back from the river
bank. After this we could, of course, have crossed the river; but the
scope of General Foster's plan tended still more to deceive the enemy.
Under cover of infantry firing and the working of two sections of
artillery we passed on without further molestations and went into camp
for the night several miles the other side of Whitehall.

MOUNT OLIVE STATION, Dec. 16, 1862.

On leaving the main column we pressed rapidly on, on regular and
by-roads until we reached a swamp. Here we struck a turpentine path, and
after a full gallop of a distance of over four miles, came out at this
station at 3 p. m. This action was a perfect surprise to the people of
the place. The ticket agent was selling tickets; passengers were
loitering around waiting for the cars, the mail for Wilmington laid
ready on the platform, and a few paroled prisoners were in readiness to
go to Wilmington, probably to fight again. As a matter of course, for
the time being, Major Garrard put everybody under arrest. The telegraph
wire was immediately and afterwards effectually cut and destroyed by
Captain Wilson, of the Third New York Cavalry. Mount Olive is seventeen
miles from Goldsboro, and as I have specified before, immediately on the
line of the Goldsboro and Wilmington railroad.

Captains Wilson and Pond, with their respective commands of the Third
New York Cavalry, were sent seven miles in the direction of Wilmington,
to destroy an extensive bridge and trestle work. This they accomplished
with great labor, after a few minutes' skirmishing and joined our main
forces by dusk. In connection with the destruction of these bridges they
also destroyed th