On July 18, 1863, Union Gen. Edward E. Potter led infantry and cavalry from New Bern to destroy the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad bridge at Rocky Mount. He sent the infantry toward Kinston and part of the cavalry to Rocky Mount while occupying Greenville and Tarboro with the rest. The raiders damaged or destroyed bridges, trains, and mills before returning to New Bern on July 23, although the Confederates restored rail service by Aug. 1. About sunset on July 21, gunfire broke out in the woods near Scuffleton Bridge as Potter's cavalry, returning to New Bern after raiding Tarboro and Rocky Mount, ran a gauntlet of Confederate resistance. After escaping a trap set by Confederate cavalry near Falkland two days earlier and riding through the night with a brief halt near Grimsley Church, Potter's men faced scattered skirmishes throughout the day from Confederate units including companies of the 7th Confederate Cavalry and the 62nd Georgia Cavalry. Col. William C. Claiborne gathered most of his pursuing force at Edwards Bridge over Big Contentnea Creek and placed a small guard at Scuffleton Bridge over Little Contentnea under Capt. Daniel E. Edwards. Instead of burning the bridge, Edwards removed some flooring planks. His men fired a volley and then scattered as Potter approached. Potter's troops captured twelve Confederates, repaired the bridge with fence rails, and crossed. The next morning, Confederate Sgt. Josiah Dixon and two comrades fired into the rear of the column as the last Union picket crossed, causing the Federals to flee in alarm and abandon horses and baggage before continuing toward the safety of New Bern.