Skirmish Near Deep Gully - November 11, 1862




North Carolina in the American Civil War

November 11, 1862 -- Skirmish Near Deep Gully*
CSA Commander:	Col. Henry M. Shaw	Union Commander:	Capt. J. Waldo Denny
Killed:	1	Killed:	1
Wounded:	1	Wounded:	2
Captured:	0	Captured:	0
Original County:	Craven	Current County:	Craven

* aka "Demonstration on New Berne, NC." aka Rocky Run. At Goldsborough in October of 1862, Company B, Company G, and Company H of the 10th NC Regiment (1st Artillery) were brigaded to form a field organization known as Pool's Battalion of Artillery, commanded by Lt. Col. Stephen D. Pool of the 10th NC Regiment (1st Artillery). This battalion was to serve the balance of the war. In November of 1862, the Independent Company known as the "Wilmington Horse Artillery" — which later became 2nd Company I of the 10th NC Regiment (1st Artillery) — was temporarily attached to Pool's Battalion of Artillery, and the battalion participated in two (2) demonstrations on New Bern, NC. After its re-organization in September of 1862, Company F of the 40th NC Regiment (3rd Artillery) was orderd to Kinston and stationed in the fortifications on the Neuse River. On November 4, 1862, it marched to Trenton and returned to Kinston on the 7th. Leaving camp again on the 9th, the company marched to within five (5) miles of New Bern, where it was employed as support for a battalion of heavy artillery under Lt. Col. Stephen D. Pool on November 11th. After the engagement, it withdrew to Kinston by way of Trenton. [Actually, this company was an Independent Company at the time of this skirmish.] After its re-organization in September of 1862, the 8th NC Regiment (State Troops) assembled at Camp Mangum near Raleigh. Early in October, the regiment was ordered to Kinston and went into camp at Camp Campbell. On November 4th, the regiment moved to Greenville and arrived there the next day. It remained one day and returned to Kinston on November 7th. Two (2) days later, November 9th, the regiment moved toward New Bern and skirmished with the enemy near New Bern on November 11th. It began the return march on November 12th and arrived back at Kinston on November 14th. After its re-organization in September of 1862, the 31st NC Regiment (State Troops) left Camp Mangun near Raleigh on October 23rd and arrived at Kinston on October 24th, where they established their camp on the plantation of John Tull, Esq, one mile north of Kinston and called Camp Martin. On November 4th, the regiment left Kinston under the command of Col. Henry M. Shaw (8th NC Regiment) for Greenville; it being reported that the enemy was advancing in that direction; they made it to Greenville on November 5th but found no enemy. On November 6th, they were ordered to return to Kinston, and they marched "under a pitiless storm of snow and rain, most of the men were without blankets or shoes and suffered terribly." On the morning of November 9th, the 31st NC Regiment was ordered to march towards New Bern and that night they bivouacked at Shady Grove Church in Jones County. The night of November 10th, they bivouacked opposite Trenton, also in Jones County. On November 11th, they marched to Rocky Run, six (6) miles from New Bern and here they met a Union force of cavalry and infantry, supposed to be 1,000 strong. The enemy were driven across Rocky Run, destroying the bridge in their retreat. On the night of November 11th, the 31st NC Regiment encamped on Darden's Farm, two (2) miles west of Rocky Run. On the next morning, they returned to Rocky Run, found no enemy, and were then ordered to return to Kinston, which they did on November 13th. On or about October 1st, the 51st NC Regiment (State Troops) was assigned to the new brigade of Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingman (NC), which was composed of the 8th, 31st, 51st, and 61st. NC Regiments (State Troops). In early November of 1862, the regiment was ordered to march to Trenton through snow, water that was sometimes "up to our knese," and mud "over our ankles." Federal pickets were driven in near New Bern during a night attack, and other skirmishes were fought near New Bern on November 4th, November 9th, and November 11th. In the latter, the regiment lost 1 man killed, 1 man missing and presumed captured, and 1 man who had "shot his hand off." From November 12-14, 1862, key Union officers provided five (5) reports about the action near Deep Gully, just west of New Bern, NC, and these reports can be found in the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume XVIII, PP.24-31. The five (5) reports are summarized below. On November 12, 1862, Col. Thomas J.C. Amory (17th MA Infantry) provided a 2-page report from New Bern to Assistant Adjutant General (Maj.) Southard Hoffman (U.S. Army, Department of North Carolina, 1st Division). Highlights include: The day before (November 11th) he received a report that the enemy, composed of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, estimated as being a brigade of at least four or five (4-5) regiments, had made its appearance in front of our pickets on the Trent Road, about Jackson's house, and was gradually advancing as our pickets retired in this direction. With Maj. Gen. John G. Foster's large army still on their way back from his expedition to Washington, Plymouth, Williamston, Hamilton, and Tarborough, he did not have a full complement of units at his disposal. He decided to withdraw the pickets on the Trent Road, then placing them on the edge of the woods in front of Fort Totten, extending the line from the Trent River to the Neuse River. He had mounted patrols on the Neuse Road as far as the crossroad to railroad and withdrew the remainder of his available cavelty with mounted howitzers. He remembered that the railroad monitor and two (2) companies of infantry were at the bridge, nine (9) miles from town. He sent orders for them to fall back, but the enemy had gotten between them and New Bern, cutting them off by the crossroad from Trent Road past the Red House. At about 2 o'clock a.m., these companies were attacked, 1 man killed and 2 wounded of the 24th MA Infantry. A shell thrown by the monitor dispersed the enemy. The next day, he re-positioned the remainder of his troops, but the skirmishing had ended. He concluded that the enemy force was much smaller than originally estimated, perhaps not over 300 men, infantry and cavalry, with perhaps a larger force behind them in reserve. He later discovered that the enemy had burned outhouses around Jackson's house. On November 14, 1862, Capt. J. Waldo Denny (25th MA Infantry) provided a 2-page report from Camp Harkness [?] to Capt. John F. Moschell (3rd NY Cavalry, Commanding Outpost on Trent Road). Highlights include: On Tuesday, November 11th, he ordered 50 men under Lt. James M. Drennan, of Company F, to proceed to the Red House, thence to Trent Road at a point near the Grapevine House, so called, near the Deep Gully, and from that point to return to this camp. He included two (2) reports from those he sent: Lt. James M. Drennan and Lt. Henry M. Richter, both of the 25th MA Infantry. When he learned of the attack upon Union lines at about 4 o'clock p.m., he assembled his entire command, Companies F, G, and K of the 25th MA Infantry and followed Capt. John F. Moschell (3rd NY Cavalry) to the scene of the action, and dispatched orders for Company H, encamped one mile below this camp, to follow with all haste. Upon reaching the corner of the road going to the rear of French's house he met a Private under Capt. Moschell's command on his horse riding back from the engagement, and the Private yelled for him to stop, as the enemy was coming down fast and in force. Capt. Denny halted his command and proceeded by himself until he met Lt. Tew with a reserve infantry force, the scouting party. Lt. Tew said his men were exhausted and that those with Capt. Denny could be of service, and Capt. Denny ordered his men forward and they approached the Rocky Run under a fire of shell from the enemy and turned to the right from the Trent Road to the rear of Capt. Moschell. He immediately reported to Capt. Moschell and ordered Capt. Wageley, of Company G, to take up position on the left of the Trent Road to cover the bridge with his fire. After learning that the enemy was attempting to flank them, Capt. Denny moved his command to the road in rear of French's house, and was soon joined by Capt. Moschell and his men nearby. Then, Lt. Foster, in command of Company H, reported to him with his men. After a short duration, with permission he moved near the wood west of Mr. Eubanks' house, a much stronger position, so his men could not be flanked. At this time, Maj. Garrard (3rd NY Cavalry) arrived and assumed command and ordered Capt. Denny to return back to his camp, and was ordered to place two (2) companies in the clearing at Mr. Whitford's house and to place two (2) companies at the Harrison house. In about thirty (30) minutes, Maj. Garrard received orders from Col. Kurtz, in command at New Bern, to retire to that city, and he ordered Capt. Denny to retire as well. Capt. Denny withdrew and marched as far as the woods on the Trent Road next to Fort Totten, where he was then ordered to deploy his detachment, which he did. In a short time, he was then ordered to withdraw to the city, taking quarters at Camp Oliver for the night. He reported 2 men wounded. On November XX, 1862, Lt. James M. Drennan (25th MA Infantry) provided a one-page report from Camp Harkness [?] to his superior Capt. J. Waldo Denny of the same location. Highlights include: Per Capt. Denny's order, he pulled together a detachment of 50 men, 3 corporals, 3 sergeants, and Lt. Tew, and started on an assigned foraging expedition. When they were near the Red House, he came onto cattle and swine; his men shot down and dressed what they wanted and started back for camp, taking the road nearest to Deep Gully. At about 3 o'clock p.m., his advance guard reported a force of cavalry, which turned out to be the enemy's. Lt. Drennan deployed part of his detachment as skirmishers in the woods, on both sides of the road, with the remainder as reserves under Lt. Tew, with orders not to fire unless fired upon. As his men advanced down the Trent Road, the enemy was leaving the house at the Grapevine, near the gully, making all speed for the latter place. Lt. Drennan decided it was more prudent to return to camp, throwing out both an advance and a rear guard. As he was reaching the vedettes outside of camp, the enemy attacked in force, driving them into the outpost. Lt. Drennan and six (6) men went to the front to give them a check and drove the enemy from the open field into the woods. They rallied. He sent for the remainder of his first platoon and deployed them as skirmishers. A brisk fire was kept up until the enemy gave way and ran for the woods again. They charged again, then brought forth two (2) pieces of artillery and a heavy line of skirmishers, throwing out a force on both flanks. Lt. Drennan fell back to the Jackson house, then crossed the creek, removing planks from the bridge as he crossed. He remained here until Capt. John F. Moschell's cavalry and Lt. Henry M. Richter, with the reserve pickets arrived. He and his detachment kept the enemy in check for about an hour and a half in the fight, three hours from the time they were first seen. On November 12, 1862, Lt. Henry M. Richter (25th MA Infantry) provided a one-page report from Harrison's House to his superior Capt. J. Waldo Denny of Camp Harkness [?]. Highlights include: On November 11th about 3 o'clock, he heard firing in front of his outpost while he was visiting the pickets. He assumed it was the foraging party under Lt. James M. Drennan, so he rode slowly back. About a mile this side of Jackson's house, he heard heavy musketry and was informed by a messanger that the outpost was attacked by infantry, cavalry, and artillery, while Lt. Drennan held the Jackson house with his detachment. Lt. Richter dispatched all of his pickets double-quick to the bridge about 50 paces this side of Jackson's house, where he relieved Lt. Drennan, who took the reserve, deploying Lt. Richter's men 16 strong as skirmishers and holding the bridge and creek. His enemy was infantry, covered by an elevation of the ground, so that he had no object to fire on. The enemy's fire had no effect as his men laid low and were covered by trees. His men only fired a few shots. Lt. Ebbs (3rd NY Cavalry) told him the enemy was trying to flank him by way of Taylor's house. He kept the creek about ten (10) minutes longer, then slowly retreated across the field toward the roads with the enemy charging in line of battle at his former position. The right of the enemy charged the bridge with cavalry, then placed a howitzer on a bluff and began sending shells over his men, doing no damage. At French's gate, he formed his squad in line on one side of the road to allow Capt. Denny a chance to pass; his men were exhausted, but they took up the rear guard. Soon it was all over and all fell back to their camps. On November 13, 1862, Capt. John F. Moschell (3rd NY Cavalry) provided two (2) reports from Harrison's House Outpost on Trent Road, one addressed to Maj. Gen. John G. Foster (U.S. Army, Department of North Carolina), and one to his superior Col. John Mix (3rd NY Cavalry). Highlights include: On November 11, 1862, he authorized Lt. Drennan and Lt. Tew, both of the 25th MA Infantry, to go near the Red House to get some fresh meat since the Subsistence Department in New Bern had failed to supply his men at this outpost. On their way back, the detachment came across a force of rebels, with three cannon, some cavalry, and infantry. That detachment kept the enemy at bay from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., and fell back to his cavalry vedettes, who also kept the enemy at bay while sending word to him. Capt. Moschell immediately went to their assistance with the balance of his force. Capt. Moschell sent word to New Bern to Col. Kurtz, who sent out Maj. Garrard with three (3) more companies of cavalry and two mounted howitzers. Maj. Garrard soon arrived and assumed command. He reported that the rebels came no further than Jackson's house. He ascertained that the enemy's force consisted of two (2) companies of artillery, four (4) companies of cavalry, and three or four (3-4) companies of infantry. His second report contained a few more details, but none worthy of repeating here.
Known CSA Participants		Known Union Participants
8th NC Regiment (State Troops): — Col. Henry M. Shaw, Lt. Col. George Williamson, Maj. James W. Hinton, Company A — Capt. William H. Bagley, Company B —"Shaw Guards" — Capt. James M. Whitson, Company C — Capt. Henry MacRae, Company D — Capt. Andrew J. Rogers, Company E — "Manchester Guards" — Capt. John R. Murchison, Company F — Capt. Leonard A. Henderson, Company G — "General Bragg Guards" — Capt. Edward C. Yellowley, Company H — Capt. Rufus A. Barrier, Company I — Capt. Gaston D. Cobb, Company K — Capt. Pinkney A. Kennerly, 31st NC Regiment (State Troops): — Col. John V. Jordan, Lt. Col. Edward R. Liles, Maj. Jesse J. Yeates, Company A — Lt. Samuel P. Collins, Company B — "O.K. Boys" — Capt. Charles B. Lindsey, Company C — "Chalybeate Guards" — Capt. William J. Long, Company D — Capt. Ruffin L. Bryant, Company E — Capt. Julius F. Allison, Company F — Capt. Charles W. Knight, Company G — Capt. Isaac Pipkin Company H — Capt. James E. Todd, Company I — "Cape Fear Boys" — Capt. John A.D. McKay, Company K — Capt. Joseph Whitty, 51st NC Regiment (State Troops): — Lt. Col. William A. Allen, Maj. Hector M. McKethan, Adjutant John R. Latta, Company A — Capt. George F. Walker, Company B — "Warsaw Sampsons" — Capt. Caleb B. Hobson, Company C — "Duplin Stars" — Capt. Samuel M. Stanford, Company D — "Scotch Tigers" — Capt. James R. McDonald, Company E — "Clay Valley Rangers" — 1st Lt. Willis H. Pope, Company F — "Ashpole True Boys" — Capt. William S. Norment, Company G — Capt. James W. Lippitt, Company H — "Columbus Light Infantry" — 2nd Lt. Jacob Bamberger, Company I — Capt. George Sloan, Company K — "Confederate Stars" — Capt. Joseph B. Underwood, Pool's Battalion of Artillery — Lt. Col. Stephen D. Pool, 10th NC Regiment (1st Artillery) Detachment: Company B — "Guion's Battery" — Capt. Henry T. Guion, Company G — "Beaufort Harbor Guards" — Capt. James L. Manney, Company H — "Topsail Rifles" — Capt. John C. Manson, Independent Company — "Blount's Battery" — Lt. Richard C. Tillery Independent Company — "Wilmington Horse Artillery" — Capt. Samuel. R. Bunting		24th MA Infantry Detachment — Capt. J. Waldo Denny, Company F — Lt. James M. Drennan, Company G — Capt. Wageley, Company H — Lt. Foster, Company K — 3rd NY Cavalry Detachment — Capt. John F. Moschell, Re-inforcements Arriving Near the End — Maj. Garrard, assumed command, 3 Companies of the 3rd NY Cavalry - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sources:
North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume I, PP. 51, 113, 125, 427. North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume IV, P.516. North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume VIII, P.425. North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, A Roster, Volume XII, P. 259. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume XVIII, P.1, PP.24-31.