Battle of Tranter's Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Tranter's Creek |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 CSA (Confederacy) |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Francis A. Osborne | George B. Singletary † | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| 24th Massachusetts Infantry 3rd New York Cavalry |
44th North Carolina Infantry | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1 infantry regiment 1 cavalry company 2 artillery pieces |
1 infantry regiment | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 40 | |||||||
The Battle of Tranter's Creek was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on June 5, 1862, in Pitt County, North Carolina. This battle was part of a bigger plan by Union General Ambrose Burnside to explore and control parts of North Carolina.
What Happened at Tranter's Creek?
On June 5, 1862, a Union commander named Colonel Robert Potter, who was in charge of the troops in Washington, North Carolina, sent out a scouting mission. He wanted his soldiers to check out the area near a place called Pactolus.
The Union soldiers, from the 24th Massachusetts Infantry, were led by Lieutenant Colonel F. A. Osborne. They marched towards a bridge over Tranter's Creek.
The Fight Begins
When the Union troops reached the bridge, they met Confederate soldiers. These Confederates were from the 44th North Carolina Infantry, led by Colonel George Singletary. The Confederates had set up defenses in nearby mill buildings.
The Union soldiers couldn't cross the bridge easily. So, Lieutenant Colonel Osborne decided to use his artillery. Artillery means big cannons. He ordered his cannons to fire at the mill buildings where the Confederates were hiding.
Confederate Retreat
During the cannon attack, Colonel George Singletary, the Confederate leader, was killed. Without their commander, the Confederate troops had to retreat. They pulled back from their positions.
The Union soldiers did not chase after the retreating Confederates. Instead, they returned to their safe base at Washington. This small battle was a victory for the Union forces.
Images for kids
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Map of Tranter's Creek Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.
