8. In the speedy retreat that ensued, General Evans was unable to burn the bridges across the river, and effected escape with some loss. He was, the next day, reinforced and awaited General Foster's approach on the road leading to Goldsboro. But the Federals were seeking to intervene between that place and the one occupied by Evans. All Tuesday morning (December 16th) the masses of the Union troops were seeking to cross Neuse River at White Hall; they were bravely met there by General Beverly H. Robinson who, with the Eleventh, Thirty-first, Fifty-ninth and Sixty-third Regiments, and Battery B, Third North Carolina Battalion, withstood all their attacks and inflicted severe loss on the baffled invaders. The contest lasted for eight hours during which General Foster persisted in his efforts to drive off the Confederates, so that pontoons could be laid forming a bridge across the stream, in place of the one burned the night before. 9. Failing to cross Neuse River at White Hall, General Foster marched in the evening for Goldsboro, and, having reached the bridge of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, succeeded in burning it, in spite of the gallant efforts of General Clingman and his brigade to prevent. 10. General Foster retired in great precipitation to New Bern, and the burned bridge was his only trophy in an expedition which seemed so threatening at its inception. QUESTIONS. 1. What was the feeling concerning the victories around Richmond? 2. Who was chosen Governor in 1862? When did Colonel Vance enter upon the duties of Chief-Magistrate? 3. What losses had North Carolina sustained in the battle of Sharpsburg? What increased the grief of Colonel Tew's people? 4. What was the state of affairs in North Carolina during the spring and summer of 1862? 5. Describe the engagement on Blackwater River? 6. Where was the Federal army confronting General Lee on December 1st? What occurred on the 13th? 7. Can you tell of the surprise at Kinston? S. What was the further result of this affair? 9. What is said of the conclusion of this matter? 10. Where did General Foster go? CHAPTER LVIII. WAR AND ITS HORRORS. A. D. 1863. 1863. When the year 1863 had come upon the American States in their bloody and wasting quarrel, there was nothing to indicate any solution of the great controversy. Many bloody battles had been fought, thousands of homes were saddened in the loss of brave and true men, and yet both sides were as intent as ever upon carrying on indefinitely the terrible and costly struggle. 2. Mr. Lincoln and the government at Washington said there should be no peace until the seceded States returned to their allegiance. Mr. Davis and the government at Richmond said, on the other hand, that the seceded States were, of right, free and independent States that had rightfully resumed their delegated powers, and owed no allegiance to the Federal government.