Battle of Goldsboro Bridge

The March 7th HMDB, Historical Marker Database featured a marker at the Battle of Goldsboro Bridge, the end of Foster's Raid in North Carolina.

On December 11, 1862, Union General John G. Foster left New Bern with 10,000 infantry, 640 cavalry and 40 cannons with the intention of marching to Goldsboro to destroy the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad bridge over the Neuse River and to provide a demonstration in support of Burnside's advance on Fredericksburg, Virginia.

The W & W Railroad was a major provider of supplies between Wilmington and Richmond.

He arrived at the bridge outside Goldsboro on December 17th and encountered a smaller Confederate force under Generals Thomas L. Clingman, Gustavus Smith and Nathan G. Evans. They soon pushed the Confederates back and set fire to the bridge, after which their cannons bombarded it.

As the Union forces returned to New Bern, the Confederates launched a sharp attack on the rear guard. Confederate losses in the battle were 150 killed, wounded and missing, Union around 100.

The bridge was repaired within weeks.

This marker is one of four on a walking tour.

Goldsboro is my birth place and the home of some of the best barbecue you're going to get anywhere at McCall's, Wilber's and Scott's.

A Small Battle, But a Big One in Eastern North Carolina and Home. --Old B-Runner