Goldsboro in Wayne County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Attack of the 17th Massachusetts

— Battle of Goldsborough Bridge —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010

1. Attack of the 17th Massachusetts Marker

Inscription. It was along the top of this railroad embankment that one Union regiment, the 17th Massachusetts, approached the railroad bridge one quarter mile to your left. As the men of the 17th fought their way along the top of the embankment they came under heavy fire from Confederate troops who had taken refuge in the tree line behind you. One survivor of the regiment recalled: “from the skirt of woods bordering the field on the left, came whiz-z-z, a volley of musketry fired by file, followed in a half a minute’s time by another volley delivered at once....And then commenced a scene that it would be vain to attempt to describe....In less time than I can relate it, every man who was not wounded, had jumped, tumbled headlong or rolled over into the ditch at the right of the track and the regiment was thrown into the wildest confusion.” After regaining their composure, the Massachusetts men began to “commence a rapid fire upon the enemy, using the elevated bed of the railroad as a breastwork.” To add to their woes, the 17th was also subjected to artillery fire from a railroad car fitted with a cannon

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which was located at the entrance of the railroad bridge to your left and was firing down the tracks. One Union soldier noted that this gun “sent its bolts with such earnest precision as to force us to leave the track and hug the embankment.”

Erected by the Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 35° 20.304′ N, 78° 1.536′ W. Marker is in Goldsboro, North Carolina, in Wayne County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one

Photographed by J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010

2. Attack of the 17th Massachusetts Marker

The current railroad line embankment runs behind the marker.

of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Defense of the Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Earthwork Cross-Section (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Union Assault on the Bridge (about 600 feet away); River Road and Pontoon Bridges (about 700 feet away); Confederate Counterattack (about 700 feet away); Confederate Earthworks (about 700 feet away); Confederate and Union Earthworks (about 700 feet away); Battle of Goldsborough Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goldsboro.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Union Assault on the Bridge (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This is stop 2 on The Battle of Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield walking tour.

Detail from the Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Detail from the Marker

“Confederate railroad artillery similar to this defended the bridge.” Library of Congress photograph.

Attack of the 17th Massachusetts Marker and Railroad Embankment image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010

4. Attack of the 17th Massachusetts Marker and Railroad Embankment

The bridge over the Neuse River is to the left.

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 1,331 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 12, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.