Battle of Kinston

Other Names: None

Location: Lenoir County, North Carolina

Campaign: Goldsborough Expedition (December 1862)

Date: December 14, 1862

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. John G. Foster [US]; Brig. Gen. Nathan Evans [CS]

Forces Engaged: Department of North Carolina, 1st Division (12,000) [US]; Evans's Brigade (2,400) [CS]

Casualties and losses: 260 [US]; 525 [CS]

Result(s): Union victory

Brief Description:

A Union expedition led by Brig. Gen. John G. Foster left New Berne in December to disrupt the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad at Goldsborough. The advance was stubbornly contested by Evans's Brigade near Kinston Bridge on December 14, but the Confederates were outnumbered and withdrew north of the Neuse River in the direction of Goldsborough. Foster continued his movement the next day, taking the River Road, south of the Neuse River. The target of Foster’s Raid, was the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad bridge at Goldsboro, a prime strategic in eastern North Carolina. Along the way Foster’s men also attacked the construction site of the ironclad CSS Neuse at what is now Seven Springs.