Hill, Daniel H., 1821-1889 to Isabella Morrison Hill

At the time he wrote this letter, Hill was in command of the Department of North Carolina. He expresses his disappointment over an embarrassing incident during the actions around Kinston, in the southeastern part of the state. Date inferred from content. Hill relates that his troops at Kinston recently suffered a surprise attack, during which 150 of his men were captured before Confederates fired a shot. Hill signs as "Husband." Says "...A Regt. was most disgracefully surprised on the 22d," he writes, "& without firing a shot had 150 men captured. The day was intensely hot, but I got together about 3000 men & went out to give battle. After a brief fight, the Yankees retreated & were pursued till 10 oclock... At 7 oclock we came upon the Yankees drawn up in line of battle. They fought a little while & again ran cutting down a bridge behind them. This had to be rebuilt when we again pushed on & by night ran them into their fortifications.
They made a feeble attack on us here but were repulsed. After that, we could not get them out of their works & they were too strong to be carried without immense loss of life. This disgraceful affair distresses me terribly. It was in no sense my fault as I am constantly warning my troops against surprise..."