d to save
Kinston bridge, and then crossed to the opposite side, occupying the
town, the enemy prepared to meet us at Mosely Hall--a small town
adjacent to the line of the Goldsboro and Kinston railroad--supposing
that we intended proceeding to that town along the right bank of the
Neuse. Instead of that, as will be observed by what is above, we passed
up on the other side, leaving Mosely Hall, with its armed force, far to
the right.

SIXTH DAY.

WHITEHALL, Dec. 16, P. M.

The column again moved at an early hour this morning in the direction of
Whitehall. As we neared the town an open space revealed our approach to
the enemy, the latter being concealed in a thick woods on the opposite
side of the river. Heavy skirmishing immediately ensued between the
Ninth New Jersey and three regiments of rebels. Major Garrard who was in
advance of the column, with three pieces of artillery and a squadron of
cavalry, passed over a high hill behind the skirmishers, in full sight
of the enemy, until he got to the left of those in action, and then
opened with his artillery. In a few minutes other artillery came up,
when the Major ceased firing. Although his cavalry force was in a
position of great exposure, under a heavy fire for quite a while, still
the loss was quite trifling.

Under cover of action on both sides, Major Garrard, with his command,
pressed on past Whitehall, and made a rapid march (a distance of over
twenty miles) to Mount Olive Station, a small place situated on the line
of the Wilmington and Goldsboro railroad. While Major Garrard was away,
in order to cover his operations, General Foster entered into a regular
engagement at Whitehall.

The enemy, having destroyed the bridge over the river, showed that he
labored under the impression that we would attempt to cross at this
point; whereas, if he had not been so fast, he would have discovered
that it was our intention to burn the bridge on the previous evening.
The engagement at Whitehall lasted for over three hours. The enemy
operated against us with a force of about five or six thousand infantry
and three batteries of artillery. The Ninth New Jersey Volunteers,
General Wessell's brigade, and a couple of Massachusetts regiments, were
engaged in the fight. A few other regiments were brought under fire;
and, as they lost a few men, I suppose they claim to being in the fight
also. My acco