OR, Series 1, Vol. 18, Page 803

Goldsborough, N. C.
December 16, 1862
 
Maj. Gen. S. G. French
Moseley Hall, N. C.
 
General,
   I shall send down five trains to-night, and I think it would be well to have the men sleep on board in case the enemy move upon the railroad and county bridges. General Clingman should be re-enforced at once or we lose all chance of taking the offensive when our forces arrive. It might be very important to have a battery promptly brought up. How many pieces have you? None of the troops from Richmond have arrived yet, and the batteries are behind the infantry. The two 30-pounders got here to-day, but without horses. They are almost useless, if not in the way. Large number of trains have been sent up, and I hope to be able to bring down some horses and wagons for the command. One regiment (the Fifty-second North Carolina) has just arrived. I shall send it over the river. I think if it is practicable that General Pettigrew had better come up in the first train with Burgwyn's regiment, and that his troops should follow. Let General Robertson hold position at Spring Bank Bridge with, say, two regiments and two pieces, and let General Evans, with his brigade, take position to cover the town on this side, support Robertson if it should be necessary, and be in place to support the troops beyond the bridges if required. There are five field pieces now at and beyond the bridges, with Col. [S. D.] Pool's battalion of artillery and Clingman's two regiments. The almost entire absence of information and the conflicting nature of what is brought in make it very difficult to determine upon anything understandingly. If General Pettigrew's brigade crosses over I desire that you should take command of the forces on that side; that is, of Clingman and Pettigrew. When my six regiments get here, if the movement is made on the other bank, we will, I hope, be strong enough to leave a sufficient force to protect this place from any movement they may make from the other side of the river by their pontoon bridge, and still be strong enough on that bank to beat them. Such is an outline of my present intention, as far as the present information enables me to judge of the probable views and intentions of the enemy. If you receive no further instructions, let Pettigrew's brigade come up to this place at daylight and Evans fall back in this direction, as above, Robertson taking position at Spring Bank Bridge, leaving outlying guards below upon the river and roads for the purpose of giving information.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
G. W. Smith
Major-General

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