Horace Greeley, The American Conflict: A History of the Great Rebellion in the United States of America, 1860-65: its Causes, Incidents, and Results: Intended to exhibit especially its moral and political phases with the drift and progress of American opinion respecting human slavery from 1776 to the close of the War for the Union. Volume II.

[716] Newbern on Goldsborough. Couch's and Cox's divisions were now ordered across the country to Kinston; but the lack of wagons delayed their movement till March 6; when they started under Couch, while Schofield went by sea to Morehead city, and thence by rail to Newbern; whence he reached, on the 8th, Cox's position at Wise's forks, near South-west creek, on his way to Goldsboroa. Cox had sent up two regiments under Col. Upham, 15th Conn., to seize and hold the crossing of the creek; but Hoke, who had ere this been reenforced by part of Cheatham's corps from the Tennessee, had that morning flanked and surprised Upham there; striking him suddenly in the rear, and capturing 700 of his men.

Elated by this stroke, Hoke advanced on Schofield; attempting to bore in betwixt Carter's and Palmer's divisions, after the Virginia fashion; but was checked by the arrival of Ruger's division, and desisted without serious fighting or loss.

Schofield, seeing the enemy strong and eager, directed Cox to intrench and stand on the defensive till Couch could arrive. Hoke skirmished sharply next day, and struck heavily at Cox's left and center the day after:¹ the blow falling mainly on Ruger's division, by which it was repulsed with heavy loss to the assailants. Schofield reports our loss here at only 300; while he estimates the enemy's at 1,500. Hoke retreated across the Neuse and burned the bridge. Couch came up and reenforced Schofield next morning. Lack of pontoons delayed Schofield at the Neuse till the 14th, when — having rebuilt the bridge — he crossed and entered Kinston unopposed — Hoke having hastened to Smithfield to aid Johnston in making head against Sherman. Schofield again advanced on the 20th, and entered Goldsboroa, scarcely resisted, next day; barely ahead of the arrival of Sherman and his whole army, as has already been narrated.