On the morning of December 15, 1862, the Union column recrossed the Neuse River and took the river road toward White Hall. They marched unopposed to within three and one half miles of the town and went into camp. Major Garrard led three companies of the 3rd NY Cavalry and one section of Jenney’s 3rd NY Artillery to reconnoiter the enemy position at White Hall. He found one regiment and four guns on his side of the bridge. After spotting the advancing Yankees the Rebels quickly moved to the opposite side of the Neuse River and burned the bridge. It was now after sunset and the CSS Neuse, which was under construction along the riverbank was not visible. Garrard’s men rolled 2000 barrels of turpentine down to the riverbank and set them on fire to illuminate the shell of the vessel. Private Henry Butler of the 3rd NY Cavalry volunteered to swim the river with a flaming plank from the bridge and attempt to burn the ship. He came under heavy fire and had to swim back. The artillery fired 8-10 shells into the skeleton of the gunboat. Garrard and the men withdrew back to camp.
The following morning Major Garrard with 500 cavalrymen of the 3rd NY Cavalry and a two-gun section of the 23rd New York Artillery was sent to Mount Olive, a station on the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad 14 miles south of Goldsborough. They cut the telegraph wires and burned the station. Two companies rode seven miles south, destroyed track in several places, set fire to the rail ties to bend rails, and burned the trestle and bridge over Goshen Swamp near Faison.
On the Confederate side Brigadier General Beverly Robertson left Moseley Hall (modern day La Grange) at 11:30 AM on the 15th with Leventhorpe’s regiment, parts of Ferebee’s and Evans’ regiment and a section of artillery from J.W. Moore’s 3rd NC Battalion commanded by Lieutenant N. McClees. Robertson arrived at White Hall and assumed command. Just as the Federals were arriving he ordered the bridge burned. In his report he notes that the gunboat was severely damaged by the enemy’s artillery fire. After Garrard’s Cavalry withdrew on the evening of the 15th Robertson reorganized his men. He positioned his artillery, the 31st NC (which had arrived during the night), and 2 picket companies along the river. Colonel Collett Leventhorpe’s 11th NC, Colonel Dennis Ferebee’s 59th NC, and Colonel Peter Evans’ 63rd NC were in reserve. Troops were aligned on the morning of the 16th as shown on the map below on the Civil War Trails sign.
Foster arrived at White Hall the next morning to find the bridge on the direct road to Goldsboro burned and Confederate infantry and artillery on the opposite side of the river. At this point in his report Foster states that he made a strong feint here as if he was going to rebuild the bridge. At 9:30 AM the battle began as a skirmish between a detachment of the 9th NY Cavalry and the 23rd NY Independent Artillery under Captain Ransom and Rebel sharpshooters. Both units were replaced by the 9th NJ and two regiments from Amory’s brigade the 17th MA and the 23rd MA, all to the right of the bridge. Battery F of the 3rd NY Artillery (Captain Jenney) and Battery K under Captain Angel were placed to the right of the road. The 24th NY Independent Battery under Captain Lee was posted in a swamp on the far right. Amory’s 45th MA was further back on the road. The 44th MA and 10th CT from Stevenson’s brigade were sent to the left of the bridge along the river. Artillery on the left included: Battery I 3rd NY Artillery (Lieutenant Thomas); a section of Battery K (Lieutenant Merserean); and part of Battery F under Lieutenant Dennis. Battery H of the 3rd NY Artillery (Captain Riggs) was placed in the center at the river as was part of Belger’s Battery. Battery E of the 3rd NY Artillery (Lieutenant Ashby) and Battery F of the 1st RI Artillery were placed on the hill overlooking the town. Around noon, after a three hour fight, Foster decided to move on feeling that he had accomplished his objective. The hill on which the batteries were placed is shown below.
Although Foster doesn’t say it in his report in some ways the Confederates did his work for him by burning the bridge. If Foster was going to return via the same route to New Bern after burning the bridge in Goldsborough he would need to destroy this bridge to prevent the Confederates from gaining his rear and blocking the return route to New Bern. Foster never mentions trying to destroy the CSS Neuse. The column continued on and on the evening of the 16th camped 8 miles from Goldsboro. The 5th RI and sharpshooters from the 24th, 25th and 46th MA were left behind as a rearguard until the column passed White Hall.
Interpretation of the battle in White Hall (modern day Seven Springs).
The Battle of White Hall was fought at the modern day town of Seven Springs.
The next several images were taken at White Hall Landing.
From page 3 of the Charlotte Democrat published on December 23, 1862- a severe skirmish took place on Tuesday, at White Hall. The river was between the enemy and our troops. We learn that our troops cleared the river bank of the enemy, and drove them back. Our loss in this engagement was about 20 killed, and 40 wounded. The 11th, Colonel Leaventhorpe’s, had seven members killed, and twenty-three wounded at White Hall. Lieutenant Means, of Mecklenburg, is the only officer reported killed.
His memorial headstone is shown below. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte (plot B-33). There are memorial headstones here honoring 13 Confederates who died during the battle. They were dedicated on April 18, 2009.
The river and the view of the bridge were obscured by vegetation.
The views of the river and bridge below were taken at the Wildlife Resources Commission boat ramp- 35.2286794, -77.8458830.
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