Confederate engineers built fortifications around Kinston and along the approaches from New Bern. A line of earthworks straddled the road to Jones Bridge, with the works on one side ending at the Neuse River and those on the other ending at a deep swamp. They used Southwest Creek as a natural barrier and fortified three bridges across it, constructing earthworks on both sides of roads just north of the bridges and anchoring the works on swamps. The engineers believed Union troops could not or would not cross the swamps and would have to assault the defenses head on. North of Kinston, a ring of earthworks stretched from the river to the railroad on the city’s west edge. Camp Pool, a large fortified encampment east of the city, mounted heavy artillery to protect the Neuse River approach to Kinston, while obstructions in the river forced boats through a narrow channel where they became easy targets.