some light (Third New York) artillery, advanced on another
road, to the right of the main column, and attracted as well as
distracted the attention of the enemy.

Captain Jacobs came upon a regiment of rebel infantry, engaged them,
drove them off with artillery, and then charged his men across, thereby
saving quite an important bridge. Another diversion was created by Major
Garrard, who was sent another road with a portion of his battalion of
the Third New York Cavalry, one piece of Allis' Flying Artillery and two
or three other light field pieces.

The gunboats, under command of Captain Murray, of the navy, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Manchester, advanced up to the blockade and kept up a
heavy firing. By this means General Evans was mystified regarding our
order of movements that he would not bring the entire force under his
command into operation in such a manner as to unitedly affect our main
column.

After a sharp engagement for over three hours, we drove the enemy from
his entrenchments and got possession of the bridge. The latter was fired
in three places, but the Ninth New Jersey, a few of the Third New York
Artillery, and the Provost-Marshal, Major Franklin, advanced in haste
and put out the flames before the fire had done any material injury.
Immediately our advance regiments crossed, when the Tenth Connecticut
advanced upon the enemy and drove him over the fields forcing him to
retreat to the further end of the town.

KINSTON, N. C., DEC. 14, 1862.
[AFTERNOON.]

Your correspondent crossed with the regiment, and Ninth New Jersey, and
found lying on the bridge three or four men who had been shot down,
smothered by the smoke, and burned by the flames; also an abundance of
arms. Soon after we found that we had captured eleven pieces of
artillery, taken 400 prisoners, (all of whom were paroled by the
provost-marshal), 1,000 rounds of heavy ammunition, 500 stands of arms,
a dozen or so gun carriages and a large quantity of commissary and
quartermaster stores. These latter were solely saved through the
exertions of Major Franklin, who found them in flames at the
storehouses. We found the railroad depot in flames and that was also
saved.

On looking around the town we found every evidence of our large and
small shot having taken excellent effect. By the time two or three of
our regiments had crossed, Major-Genera