Burney Place

During Potter’s July 18–23, 1863 raid from New Bern, Union forces struck at rail and military resources around Greenville, Rocky Mount, and Tarboro before beginning their return. As Edward E. Potter’s column marched through Pitt County toward New Bern on July 22, the Confederate 50th North Carolina Infantry attacked its rear nearby. The Confederates encountered not only escaped slaves following the Federals but also uniformed black soldiers, most likely from the 1st North Carolina Colored Volunteers. Enlistment records from the days after the raid showed new recruits from North Carolina counties through which the Union troops had passed. A New York Times report of August 5 said that 1,200 escaped slaves had followed Potter, though half were recaptured on the way. Lieutenant J.C. Ellington later wrote that his unit opened fire with a small brass cannon, halted the mixed procession of soldiers and fleeing people, and captured several hundred black people while others were killed or wounded trying to escape. The Union forces then took the Neuse River Road to Piney Neck Road and marched to Swift Creek, dropping plundered clothing, china, and silverware to delay the pursuing Confederates long enough to reach the creek.

North Carolina · United States