Resumed our march at
8 this morning, got eight miles, when we got to our extreme picket posts. They
told us the Yankees were one mile and a quarter from us. Then we marched half a
mile further, when our artillery commenced the fight. It kept on all day, but
very light. We drove in their pickets and advanced our line until dark. We are
eight miles from Newbern—marched eleven miles.
This morning, at
daybreak, cannonading was heard by us from General Pettigrew's line, which is
on our left flank. We immediately fell into line of battle, our artillery
opened fire, then we infantry advanced our line on the Yankees. We halted in an
old field and had for a breastwork a rail fence. We fought for four hours—hot
at times. We had a number killed and wounded. The enemy fell back on their
stronghold-Newbern. This battle is called the Battle of Deep Gully, as it was
fought on that stream. We then took up our march again for Kinston. We got
eleven miles and halted for the night. Our company was the rear guard of the
brigade.
