History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

288 FIFTY-EIGHTHT REGIENT. 1863
ing all night in single file, at times in water to their arm-pits, arrived at sunrise
in rear of the rebel works at Gum Swamp, where he found the enemy fighting
the column which had arrived in front. The appearance of the column in rear,
was timely. Jones immediately charged and captured the works, taking one
hundred and seventy-five prisoners, one gun, many small arms, and valuable
medical stores. The command commenced the return march with prisoners
and booty; but the enemy, greatly exasperated, followed up and shelled the
retiring column. Upon its arrival in camp, the enemy manifesting no disposition to attack, Colonel Jones ordered his co-operating force back to Newbern.
On the afternoon of the same day, the company left to guard the bridge on the
Neuse Road, across Bachelor's Creek, suddenly found itself confronted by a considerable force, and was hotly engaged. Proceeding hastily to the threatened
point with companies F, K and I, he deployed them as skirmishers, and drove
the enemy's line back across the creek. Boldly crossing with his small force,
he formed his line of battle, and sent back to camp for a battery. Turning to
go forward with his men, he was shot through the heart by a rebel posted behind the chimney of a house just beyond the bridge, and instantly expired.
The artillery was soon brought up and the enemy dispersed. On the following
day the regiment was relieved, and ordered to Newbern. In a general order
announcing the death of Colonel Jones, General Foster says, "Colonel Jones
won the admiration of all in this department by the indefatigable, able, and
gallant manner with which he filled the arduous duties of Commander of the Outposts. He died whilst yet enjoying the triumph of a. victory won by his valor
and counsel." Lieutenant Colonel Curtis was promoted to Colonel, Major
Montgomery Martin to Lieutenant Colonel, and senior Captain Henry Metcalf
to Major.
On the 27th of June the regiment was ordered to Washington, North Carolina, at the head of navigation of Pamlico River. Upon its arrival, it was broken
into detachments, and companies A, C, D, G, I and K were posted at different
points on the fortifications covering the town. The remaining companies performed provost duty. The post was under the command of General Palmer.
While here the men became proficient in heavy artillery practice. On the 16th
of December, Captain Theodore Blakeley, of company B, with a detachment of
one hundred men, proceeded on an expedition some fifteen miles south of the
town, where he surprised a rebel cavalry encampment, capturing a captain and
sixty men with horses and equipments, and returned in safety to camp without
having fired a gun. He was complimented for his gallantry in an order from
department headquarters. Company K, Captain Cecil Clay, which had been
stationed at Hill's Point on the river, below the town, was about this time attacked by the enemy in considerable force. With determined valor he defended
his post, and triumphantly repelled the attack. He also received a complimentary order for his excellent conduct.
On the 31st of December, Colonel M'Chesney, who had succeeded General
Palmer in command of the post, made an expedition to the vicinity of Greenville, where he encountered the enemy at night, and a desperate hand to hand
engagement occurred in the darkness, resulting in the discomfiture of the rebel
force. One gun, twelve horses, and eight prisoners were taken. Lieutenant
Adams was killed. The service of the regiment on the fortifications, on guard,
and picket, now continued without incident until the evacuation of the place