The Battle of Goldsborough Bridge: Foster’s Raid
In early December of 1862, Union General John Foster marched from New Bern with an army of 12,000 men to interrupt the Confederate supply chain by destroying the railroad bridge which crossed the Neuse River, three miles south of Goldsboro.

On December 17, Union troops attacked and pushed back a small force
of 2,000 Confederates, then burned the bridge and destroyed miles of
railroad tracks.

That afternoon Confederate forces attacked the rear of Foster’s army as it was leaving the field. They were repulsed by a heavy fire of musketry and artillery. The Confederates suffered over 150 casualties and Union losses
were under 100.

African American History
In 1869, the Quakers offered to provide a free school for African American children, if the parents could furnish a building. The land where the School Street School is now located was purchased and the school opened. In 1882, Goldsboro Graded School assumed support of the school. Later, Goldsboro Normal and Classical Institute opened nearby to prepare African Americans for college and to teach school. In 1904, it merged with Fayetteville Normal, now Fayetteville State University.

In 1894, Reverend Clarence Dillard became principal of the school. He served for 30 years and was honored by having the school named for him. Professor H.V. Brown succeeded Rev. Dillard and was later inducted into the NC Education Hall of Fame.

In 1956, the school celebrated 30 years of accreditation and two years later, a national alumni association organization was chartered. Now called “Dillard/Goldsboro Alumni and Friends, Incorporated,” the group attracts thousands of visitors to Goldsboro each year for its annual reunion. The group has established a full service community facility, which includes the H.V. Brown Hall. The hall accommodates functions of 500 and is available as a venue for banquets, receptions, and other gatherings.