Dudley in Wayne County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Confederate and Union Earthworks
Photographed by Mike McKeown, October 11, 2025
1. Confedeate and Union Earthworks Marker
This earthwork was built by the Confederates in 1862. It is located half way between the railroad bridge and the county wagon bridge and is parallel with the railroad tracks. This work is a simple rifle trench designed for use by infantry. The work extends approximately 400 feet to the Neuse River.
In 1865 this area was occupied by the Union army after the Battle of Bentonville. Union engineers extended this work at that time such that it crossed the field behind you and ended over one thousand feet away at the railroad embankment. The purpose of this extension, which has since been leveled, was to protect the railroad bridge for use by the Union army after it captured Goldsborough. These features can be seen on a survey map drawn by Union Army engineers in 1865.
Erected by Brunswick Civil War Roundtable.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 35° 20.409′ N, 78° 1.587′ W. Marker is in Dudley, North Carolina, in Wayne County. It can be reached from Old Mt Olive Highway south of U.S. 13/117,
this page online
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 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: Confederate Counterattack (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Earthworks (within shouting distance of this marker); River Road and Pontoon Bridges (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Earthwork Cross-Section (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Union Assault on the Bridge (about 600 feet away); Battle Of Goldsborough Bridge
Photographed by Mike McKeown, October 11, 2025
2. Confedeate and Union Earthworks Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Union Assault on the Bridge (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Battle of Goldsboro Bridge (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield. (Submitted on October 23, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)
2. Goldsborough Bridge (American Battlefield Trust). (Submitted on October 23, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on March 14, 2026, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 23, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
