Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro (North Carolina) expedition, December, 1862

In December 1862, Major General J. G. Foster leads a Union column out of New Berne into the tangled swamps of eastern North Carolina. The troops soon confront a massive blockade of felled trees and water‑logged terrain that forces them to halt for the night, while pioneer engineers and a brigade of “pioneer contrabands” labor tirelessly to clear a path. The narrative captures the gritty reality of marching through mud, the constant threat of ambush, and the improvisational spirit of soldiers and civilians working side by side.

The following days bring a series of sharp skirmishes as cavalry and infantry from New York, New Jersey and other units test the rebel defenses. Readers hear the crack of carbines, the thunder of artillery, and the clatter of a bridge being rebuilt under fire. Through vivid diary‑like entries, the account records captured prisoners, wounded comrades, and brief flashes of triumph—such as the Union flag rising over a seized battery—offering a window into the day‑to‑day challenges of a winter campaign.