Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield and Monument, Wayne County, N.C.

American Battlefield Trust Saves Land at Milestone 160th Battlefield

Since our inception in 1987, we have not rested on our laurels. We’re here to save battlefield land: as much of it as we can. Since that date we’ve seen some tremendous preservation victories at Slaughter Pen Farm, Gettysburg, Shiloh, Chancellorsville (to name just a brief few). But today I want to announce a landmark milestone for the Trust and you — the preservation of land at our 160th battlefield at Goldsborough Bridge, North Carolina!

We can’t thank you enough for helping us get here! The support of our friends and partners makes this work possible.

Foster’s Raid

Like our own unique milestone, the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge has its own distinctive history.

In some of the final fighting for the year 1862, Confederate forces clashed with Union forces under Maj. Gen. John G. Foster who were tasked with destroying the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad Bridge. This bridge was a crucial part of the Confederate supply line and cutting it off would deny Confederate supplies from entering into Virginia from the Deep South.

The Battle of Goldsborough Bridge erupted on December 17, 1862. It was the final engagement in what is known as Foster’s Raid, a series of four battles and several small skirmishes in eastern North Carolina.

The 54 acres we’ve now saved forever are the site of the heaviest fighting during the battle, hosting more than 10,600 Union soldiers and cavalrymen as they faced off against 2,000 Confederate infantry.

Although the Union forces enjoyed a brief victory, Confederate forces withstood the temporary loss of supplies and rebuilt the bridge in a matter of weeks.

Our victory, however — these 54 acres preserved on our 160th battlefield — will not be brief. The site of the heaviest fighting during the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge will now, thanks to you, remain a hallowed testament to the men who lived and died there, forever.

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