The April 20th Goldsboro (NC) News Argus had an article about the dedication of headstones of 13 Confederate soldiers who died in the Battle of White Hall while defending Wayne County back in 1862. The ceremony was held April 16th on the banks of the Neuse River. It was sponsored by the Sons of Confederate veterans and United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Flowers were placed in front of each inscribed headstone, a cannon and rifle salute was fired while Dixie was played slowly.
The Battle of White Hall took place December 16, 1862, the day before the Battle of Goldsbourough. Many of the soldiers at the battle were from the 11th NC, who, seven months later, would participate in the Battle of Gettysburg. Also, soldiers from the 31st NC, 4th NC Cavalry and Edenton Bell Battery.
The soldiers: 2nd Lt. William Means. 1st Sgt E.B. Bristol, and privates William Liles, John F. Dellenger, Walter Duckworth, James Gault, Benjamin Walker, Noah Roundtree, L.T. Gill, John Tarkenton, Riddick Arnold, Elias Dulin, and Benjamin Smith.
The graves are located in a small cemetery on River Street. White Hall is now called Seven Springs. Back in December, the SCV erected a monument honoring the 13 at the site north of the river on Lynch River.
Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice in a Little Known Battle. --B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
