After Union troops burned the railroad bridge they began to leave the field. The Confederates decided to re-cross the river by way of a wagon bridge one half mile above the railroad and counterattack the small Union rear guard.

The right wing of the Confederate force, consisting of the 8th and 61st North Carolina and Mallett’s Battalion, moved one mile south to strike the Union left, while the left wing, consisting of the 51st and 52nd North Carolina, emerged from the woods behind you and crossed this field. After climbing the railroad embankment in front of you the North Carolinians gave the “rebel yell” and charged the Union guns. Union reinforcements quickly returned to the field to meet the threat. One Union soldier recalled the action; “As the battery sent forth its deadly contents great gaps were made in the rebel ranks. Three times the colors were shot down and three times they were raised; but the fourth time they remained on the ground for want of anyone to raise them.”

The Confederate charge was

turned back with heavy losses before the men of the 8th and 61st NC and Mallet’s Battalion

were in position for a coordinated attack. Those men killed are listed among those buried in the

Confederate mass grave at

Willowdale Cemetery in Goldsboro.

Marker is on Old Mt. Olive Highway near U.S. 117, on the left when traveling south.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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