Union forces planned to destroy the railroad bridge at Weldon, North Carolina that carried the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad over the Roanoke. Major General John G. Foster led 3000 Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey infantry aboard twelve gunboats to land at Winton, North Carolina. Cavalry arrived the next day. The mission disrupted supply lines but was driven off from Weldon the following day at the Battle of Jackson. (By John Osborne)