Near Goldsboro in Wayne County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Battle of Goldsborough Bridge
December 17, 1862
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
1. Battle of Goldsborough Bridge Monument
Inscription.
Battle of Goldsborough Bridge. December 17, 1862. Nearly 15,000 men clashed on these fields December 17, 1862. At stake was the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad bridge which spanned the Neuse River here. Confederate troops, outnumbered five to one, fought bravely to defend the bridge, a vital link in the Confederate chain of supply between the deep South, the port at Wilmington and Northern Virginia. Union troops, on a raid from occupied New Berne and in support of the simultaneous Union offensive at Fredericksburg, Virginia, attacked from the east side of the Railroad. After a fight lasting three hours Union forces succeeded in pushing the Confederates back and then destroyed the bridge by flames and artillery fire. , Late that afternoon, additional Confederate troops arrived to support a counterattack that was in progress against the Union rear guard as it prepared to leave the field. Two North Carolina regiments plus a battalion struck nearby a mile to the south, while two more regiments crossed this field and attacked the Union force across the railroad tracks. The North Carolinians that crossed here were turned back after sustaining heavy losses caused by massed Union artillery and infantry fire. , As the sun set the firing ceased, the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge was over at a cost of nearly 250 casualties. Units present or engaged that day were from North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. A list of those units present at the battle is inscribed hereon.
Nearly 15,000 men clashed on these fields December 17, 1862. At stake was the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad bridge which spanned the Neuse River here. Confederate troops, outnumbered five to one, fought bravely to defend the bridge, a vital link in the Confederate chain of supply between the deep South, the port at Wilmington and Northern Virginia. Union troops, on a raid from occupied New Berne and in support of the simultaneous Union offensive at Fredericksburg, Virginia, attacked from the east side of the Railroad. After a fight lasting three hours Union forces succeeded in pushing the Confederates back and then destroyed the bridge by flames and artillery fire.
Late that afternoon, additional Confederate troops arrived to support a counterattack that was in progress against the Union rear guard as it prepared to leave the field. Two North Carolina regiments plus a battalion struck nearby a mile to the south, while two more regiments crossed this field and attacked the Union force across the railroad tracks. The North Carolinians that crossed here were turned back after sustaining heavy losses caused by massed Union artillery and infantry fire.
As the sun set the firing ceased, the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge was over at a cost of nearly 250 casualties. Units present or engaged that day were from North Carolina,
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South Carolina, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. A list of those units present at the battle is inscribed hereon.
Erected by the Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield Association, the Robert E. Lee Confederate Heritage Association, Matthews, N.C., The First North Carolina Battalion, the Stonewall Jackson Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and many friends in the North Carolina Civil War history community.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 17, 1875.
Location. 35° 20.334′ N, 78° 1.698′ W. Marker is near Goldsboro, North Carolina, in Wayne County. Marker is on Old Mt. Olive Highway south of U.S. 117, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Goldsboro NC 27530, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These markers are of the four stops on the walking tour of the battlefield.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
3. Battle of Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield and Monument
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
4. Map of Battlefield Walking Tour
This map is at in information kiosk at the parking area. Stop 1 is the Civil War Trails Marker at the parking area where the trail begins. This monument is not shown on this map but it is between Stop 1 and the barn.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
5. Information Kiosk at Start of Walking Tour
“Welcome to Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield, scene of the December 17, 1862 Battle of Goldsborough Bridge. Please obey all posted regulations and enjoy your visit. For more information visit www.goldsboroughbridge.com”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
6. The Union Advance, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
One of the maps on the information kiosk.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
7. Union Assault on Bridge, 2 p.m.
One of the maps on the information kiosk.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
8. Confederate Counterattack, 4:30 p.m.
One of the maps on the information kiosk.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
9. Counterattack Repulsed, 5:30 p.m.
One of the maps on the information kiosk.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
10. The Barn In Field Beyond the Brook
Trees that grow along a small brook shield the barn from view. A footbridge has been built to allow access to the field where the barn is located.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
11. Replica of Confederate Camp
The railroad line runs left to right behind this camp. It is in the small field where the barn is located, on the west side of the railroad.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,839 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on March 12, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo and transcription of text on back of monument. • Can you help?