Battle of White Hall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of White Hall
Part of the American Civil War
Date December 16, 1862 (1862-12-16) Location Wayne County, North Carolina Result Draw
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
John G. Foster Jeptha Garrard	Beverly Robertson
Units involved
3rd New York Cavalry 23rd New York Independent Battery Amory's Brigade Stevenson's Brigade	Robertson's Brigade
Strength
11,000 (total)	1,500 (total)
Casualties and losses
150

The Battle of White Hall, sometimes called the Battle of White Hall Ferry, happened on December 16, 1862. It took place in Wayne County, North Carolina, during the American Civil War. This battle was part of the Union army's journey to Goldsboro, North Carolina.

What Happened at the Battle of White Hall?

Map of the White Hall Battlefield area.

On December 15, 1862, Union troops led by John G. Foster reached a place called White Hall. Here, Confederate soldiers, commanded by Beverly Robertson, were waiting. They were positioned on the north side of the Neuse River.

The Union soldiers set up their cannons on a hill. From there, they could see the town and the Confederate defenses. Some small fights broke out as they got ready.

Why Was the Battle Fought?

On December 16, the Union army tried to keep the Confederates busy. This was so the main Union force could continue its march toward the railroad. This was a key goal of their mission.

However, some local stories tell a different reason for the battle. They say one main goal was to destroy a special boat. This boat, called the CSS Neuse, was being built by the Confederates. It was located on the north bank of the Neuse River.

What Was the CSS Neuse?

The CSS Neuse was a type of warship called an "ironclad ram." It was designed to break the Union's naval blockade. This blockade was stopping ships from bringing supplies to the South. Many similar boats were being built. Only one, the CSS Albemarle, was finished in time to be used. It sank several Union ships.

The Union plan was to capture the bridge at White Hall. Then, they wanted to destroy the CSS Neuse. After that, they would take a shorter path to Goldsboro. Their goal there was to destroy the railroad tracks.

How Did the Battle Unfold?

The Confederates had a strong defensive spot. They burned the bridge to stop the Union forces from crossing the river. Union soldiers spent most of December 16 firing their cannons at the town. They hoped to destroy the Confederate defenses and the boat.

Union riflemen also shot at the Confederates protecting the boat. Local stories say the Union riflemen often shot too high. This might be because the south bank, where they were, was actually higher than the north bank. The river can make it look like the banks are level.

The Confederates likely had fewer injuries because their position was narrow. Only one group of soldiers could fire at a time. This meant fewer of them were exposed to enemy fire.

Some local stories also mention two free Black teenagers. They were said to be fighting with the local Confederate soldiers.

Damage and Retreat

During the two days of fighting, Union cannons caused a lot of damage to the town. The CSS Neuse also got a little damaged. Its building was delayed for several weeks. Old stories say that some people hid in a stone jailhouse. But even that building was eventually destroyed by cannon fire.

Some historians now believe that the Union's own cannons accidentally hit their own soldiers. They also think the number of Union injuries was reported as lower than it actually was.

As the sun set on December 16, the Union soldiers worried. They feared being trapped between Confederate forces from Kinston and Goldsboro. So, they stopped trying to cross the river at White Hall. They moved west and crossed the Neuse River between White Hall and Mount Olive. Then, they continued their journey to fight another battle in Goldsboro.

What Happened After the Battle?

Both sides said they won the battle. A newspaper in New York, the New York Herald, even printed big headlines. They announced a Union victory. The Union soldiers said they won because they damaged the CSS Neuse. They also claimed victory because the Confederates could not stop their army from moving forward.

However, the Confederates said they won. They argued they caused more injuries to the Union soldiers than they suffered. They also stopped the Union from crossing the river. And they kept the gunboat from being completely destroyed.

The CSS Neuse was finally finished later in the war. But it got stuck on a sandbar before it could reach the sea. To prevent the Union from capturing it, the Confederates had to sink their own boat.

Images for kids

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  Map of the White Hall Battlefield area.