Greensborough Patriot
February 5, 1863
Page 3
Correspondence of the Patriot
From Our Army Correspondent
Camp near Holly Shelter,
N. C.
February 2, 1863
Messrs .Editors—Fresh
from its fields of glory in Virginia, that famous Division of North
Carolinians, formerly commanded by the able and efficient Gen. Walker, but more
recently under the supervision of Ransom—“the cursing hero”—(of what battle?) arrived at Goldsboro,
not quite two weeks ago, and placed in the command of Gen. French, has been
thrown forward, and the various Regiments and Brigades assigned to posts of
honor and danger.
The movements, so far, of the Division since its return
to the Department of North Carolina, have been attended with no excitement, and
as yet in watching the Yankees on our Coast, we have been unable to discover
any imminent signs of a battle.
We might follow the experience of this little army of
veterans during the two weeks past, but we are conscious that we could relate
nothing that would interest your readers.
Notwithstanding the demonstration of the enemy in the
direction of Kirsten, and the strong force with which he continually menaces
that place, has nevertheless been thought prudent to keep an eye to the defense
of Wilmington, and Cook’s Brigade tarried but two days at Goldsboro, while
Ransom’s Brigade did not stop until reaching Warsaw—a point on the Wilmington
and Weldon railroad, about 40 miles from Goldsboro, and near the same distance
from Wilmington.
Cook’s Brigade is now at South
Washington. One Regiment of
the Brigade, (the 46th, Col. Hall) has been thrown forward on the
Holly Shelter road, and is now entrenching and doing picket duty on the East
bank of the North East River.
Eight or ten miles from South Washington the “New Bridge”
on the Holly Shelter road crosses the North East river. The H. S. road leads from South Washington to
the main road from Newbern to Wilmington
by way of the Sounds. Thus while
guarding the New Bridge,
protecting the Railroad from the incursion of Yankee Cavalry, our troops at
South Washington will be ready to beat back and advance on Wilmington
by land from the direction of Kinston. Adjoining this county (New Hanover) on the
east is Onslow, which county has suffered to a considerable extent from the
depredations of the Yankees. They have
been as far up as Jacksonville,
the County Seat. But
of this more anon.
EUSEBICS
[Transcribed
by Sharon Strout]
