made a stand, to a point about three miles from Kinston, when the troops
encamped for the night (Sunday).

After reaching the town, Captain Cole of Company K, Third New York
Cavalry, was ordered to proceed down the river to the blockade, and
where a battery had been erected to play upon our gunboats if they
attempted to ascend the river. Captain Cole, on arriving at the place--a
sort of half circular fort, with breastworks a mile and a half
long--ascertained from a negro that the rebels had moved six brass
pieces about six hours before he reached there; that they had more guns
there, and that a guard had been left to protect them until they could
be secured, the rebels not having enough horses to get them all away.
Captain Cole attempted to surround the fort and capture what there was
remaining in it, when the guard discovered his force and decamped for
the woods without firing a shot. Company K charged on the fort and took
possession thereof, capturing everything in it. The armament remaining
was found to consist of seven guns, including one eight-inch columbiad,
two thirty-two-pounder iron guns, and four six-pounder iron guns. The
four latter were found to be loaded, primed and ready to be fired; but
the brisk movements of Captain Cole and his daring company prevented the
execution of the latter deadly operation. Company K and its commander
have been highly complimented by the commanding General for their
gallantry on this occasion. A small amount of provisions, clothing,
etc., was found in the fort, which was left. The four six-pounders were
brought away; the columbiad and the thirty-twos, being too heavy to be
removed, were spiked and the carriages burned. Captain Cole reached
Kinston about midnight with the trophies. The next morning about 5
o'clock he received orders from General Foster to return to New Berne
with seven pieces--two brass and five iron--captured with other
trophies. The two brass pieces were the same captured from us at Little
Washington about three months ago. Captain Cole also brings the remains
of Colonel Gray, of the Ninety-sixth New York, killed on Neuse bridge.
On his way down Captain Cole captured eight rebels and brought them
into New Berne. Three belonged to South Carolina and four to Georgia.

The New Jersey Ninth captured the regimental flag of a South Carolina
regiment before crossing the Neuse bridge, and carry it as a trophy of
their gallantry.

Most of the 500 rebels captured and