The Christmas Day 1863 Raid on Confederate Salt Works at Bear Inlet, North Carolina

Salt was an extremely valuable commodity during the Civil War as it was used as a preservative for meat in an era before refrigeration. Many Confederate salt processing facilities were located along the coasts, where seawater was boiled down to obtain its salt. The U.S. army and navy frequently attacked Confederate saltworks to deny the south this essential resource. One such raid occurred on Christmas Day, 1863 at Bear Inlet, North Carolina.

Gen. John J. Peck USA

Major General John J. Peck, commanding the Department of North Carolina, ordered Colonel James Jourdan of the 158th New York Infantry to undertake an attack on the salt works at Bear Inlet, located on the coast of North Carolina between Morehead City and Wilmington, near the present day U.S. Marine base at Camp Lejeune. Jourdan’s expedition included some infantry, a detachment of cavalry and a pair of Navy gunboats to transport his troops to the sites that either processed or stored the salt. The action took place on December 24th and 25th, 1863, and is described by Colonel Jourdan in his after action report:

Headquarters Sub-District of Beaufort,
Morehead City, N.C., December 26, 1863.

Captain: In compliance with instructions of Major-General Peck, I embarked, on the morning of the 24th instant, on board the U.S gunboats Howquah and Daylight, with 125 men of the One hundred and fifty-eighth New York Volunteers, under command of Lieut. Col. W. H. McNary; 75 men of the Ninth Vermont Volunteers, under command of Col. E. H. Kipley, and 8 men of the Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, with one howitzer from Fort Heckman, and proceeded direct to Bear Inlet. One detachment of Mix’s (New York) cavalry, under command of Captain Spann, proceeded, by my orders, at 5 a. m. of the 24th instant, up the White Oak River, to within 4 miles of Young’s Cross-Roads, making a diversion, in order to draw the attention of the enemy in that direction, while another detachment, under command of Captain Cummings, proceeded to Cedar Point for the same purpose, in consequence of a slight collision with the Daylight in the harbor, the steamer Frazier, by which I intended to land the troops, was unable to accompany me. The damage sustained by the Frazier is reported slight.

Colonel James Jourdan, 158th New York Infantry

On my arrival at Bear Inlet, I proceeded in the Howquah’s cutter within the inlet, and reconnoitered, after which the troops disembarked in small boats, with one boat howitzer; effected a landing at an extensive salt-works, about 3 miles from the inlet, where we bivouacked for the night. In consequence of the rapid outflow of the tide, a part of the command were unable to land. Next morning (the 25th), while a portion of my force was employed in destroying the works, I sent two boats belonging to the Howquah to another salt-works, about 2 miles up toward Swansborough, with orders to destroy it, which was promptly effected. We then re-embarked in our boats and proceeded back to the inlet, and from thence up Bear Creek, about 6 or 8 miles, and there destroyed a large quantity of salt, which was stored in buildings, and an extensive salt-works. These works, though quite extensive, were being considerably enlarged, the materials for such enlargement being upon the ground, and which were entirely destroyed with the works. The turpentine being owned by different parties, had been hauled away into the interior during the day and night previous. The command of Captain Saunders, numbering about 200 men, were hovering in the neighborhood, but for some reason failed to show themselves or attack us, with the exception of a small detachment who fired upon our pickets, and then retreated rapidly through the woods, although far outnumbering us. I learned that Captain Lane’s company of cavalry, numbering 117 men, had been sent for by Captain Saunders, and might have been expected at any moment, but as they did not appear, it is believed that the presence of our cavalry on the White Oak River drew them in that direction. We brought in 2 white prisoners, suspected of belonging to the detachment who fired upon our pickets, and 9 able-bodied negroes. Captain Cummings reports much excitement among a company of cavalry at Swansborough, probably Lane’s command.We met with no loss either in men or materiel.

During the night of the 24th instant, the men suffered intensely from the cold, having been obliged, owing to the shallowness of the water, to wade from the boats to the land, but I am happy to say that both officers and men, soldiers and sailors, did their duty promptly, without grumbling or complaint.

USS Daylight

I received every possible assistance from Commander Dove, senior naval officer at this port, as also the most hearty co-operation from Lieutenant MacDiarmid, commanding U. S. gunboat Howquah, and Lieutenant Wells, commanding U.S. gunboat Daylight, and their respective officers and crews.

We arrived at Morehead at sundown last evening, the 25th.

Hoping this affair will meet with the approbation of the major-general
commanding, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

J. JOURDAN,
Colonel Commanding

Capt. E. T. Parkinson,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

Presumably, Jourdan and his command returned to base in Morehead City in time for Christmas dinner.

Sources:

The Civil War in North Carolina by John G. Barrett

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies in the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume 29, Part 1.