Late in 1862, Union Gen. John G. Foster’s well-entrenched garrison at New Bern made several incursions into the countryside. On December 11, Foster led a raid from New Bern to burn the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Bridge over the Neuse River at Goldsboro and to demonstrate in support of Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside’s attack at Fredericksburg, Virginia. His force included 10,000 infantry, 650 cavalry, and 40 cannons. As Foster approached Kinston on December 13, he met Confederate defensive forces under Gen. Nathan G. Evans six miles southwest at Woodington on the Wilmington Road, present-day U.S. Route 258. After a fierce fight, Evans withdrew to earthworks near the Neuse River and prepared for a second attack, which came about 9 a.m. on December 14. Evans placed about 2,000 troops from the Carolinas in a semicircular line extending from the river about a mile to a swamp across Wilmington Road. Gen. Henry W. Wessells, commanding one of Foster’s brigades, divided his unit to attack Evans’ left flank. The Federals fought through thick woods, brambles, and determined resistance, but with superior numbers and heavy artillery fire they eventually broke through the Confederate left. The South Carolinians fell back across the Jones bridge into Kinston. Evans then ordered the bridge burned before the North Carolinians on the right could cross, and many were captured as they fled in panic. After a brief stand on the north side of Kinston, Evans withdrew his troops. Foster and his men spent the night of December 14 in Kinston and left for Goldsboro the next morning.