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.
Attack of the 17th Massachusetts. . 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 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.”
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 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
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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. 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.
More about this marker. This is stop 2 on The Battle of Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield walking tour.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 27, 2010
2. Attack of the 17th Massachusetts Marker
The current railroad line embankment runs behind the marker.
3. Detail from the Marker
“Confederate railroad artillery similar to this defended the bridge.” Library of Congress photograph.
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 997 times since then and 18 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.