one of the severest musketry fires I have ever seen. Rebellion Records, XVIII, 62.Col. W. J. Martin, historian of the Eleventh regiment, says of the conduct of his regiment: ‘Posted along the river bank, from which another regiment had just been driven back, it was pounded for several hours at short range by a terrific storm of grape and canister, as well as musketry; but it never flinched, and gained a reputation for endurance and courage which it proudly maintained to the fateful end.’ The Eleventh regiment that thus distinguished itself was the first regiment organized in North Carolina, and while known as the First North Carolina had fought the battle at Bethel. General Robertson reported his loss at 10 killed, 42 wounded. The Federal loss was 8 killed and 73 wounded. After this brush with Robertson, Foster moved on toward Goldsboro, his main object being to burn the railroad bridge there. At and near the bridge were stationed General Clingman, with the Eighth, Fifty-first and Fifty-second North Carolina regiments, under Cols. H. M.
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not more than one regiment at a time could engage him. I therefore held Leventhorpe, Ferrebee and Evans in reserve, leaving the artillery [two pieces], Thirty-first regiment, and two picked companies in front.
The cannonading from the enemy's batteries became so terrific that the Thirty-first regiment withdrew from their position without instructions, but in good order.
I immediately ordered Colonel Leventhorpe forward.
The alacrity with which the order was obeyed by his men gave ample proof of their gallant bearing, which they so nobly sustained during the entire fight, which raged with intensity . . . . The conduct of this regiment reflects the greatest credit upon its accomplished and dauntless commander.’
The two guns of McClees were no match for the many batteries across the Neuse, but he served them with coolness and gallantry.
Captain Taylor, of Foster's signal service, reported that the fire from the Eleventh was
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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