USA > Massachusetts > Record of the service of the Forty-fourth Massachusetts volunteer militia in North Carolina, August 1862 to May 1863 > Part 1
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Ga
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00824 3161
RECORD
OF THE SERVICE
OF THE
FORTY-FOURTH
MASSACHUSETTS
VOLUNTEER MILITIA
IN NORTH CAROLINA
AUGUST 1862 TO MAY 1863
BOSTON PRIVATELY PRINTED 1887
1762771
8349 .47
Massachusetts infantry. 4th regt., 1862-1563.
Record of the service of the Forty-fourth Massachusetts volunteer militia in North Carolina, August 1862 to May 1863. Boston, Priv. print., 1887.
xvi, 364 p. illus., pl., port., maps, facsim. 26}m.
SHELF CARD
1. U. S .- Hist .- Civil war-Regimental histories -- Mass. inf .- 44th. I. Gardner, James Browne, 1842- ed. II. Title.
E313.5.44thR 2-14483' 3360 Library of Congress
.2911,.
University Press : JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.
١
3360
02 0
White these pages were passing through the press, the Cotonel of the Forty-Fourth died at his home in Westport, New York.
The surviving members of the Historical Committee wish to testify here to the respect and affection fett for him by the Regiment, and therefore dedicate this Record
To the Memory of
OUR COMMANDER, COMRADE, AND FRIEND,
COLONEL FRANCIS L. LEE.
PREFACE.
THE Forty-fourth Massachusetts Regimental Associa- tion has been fortunate in one circumstance. The regi- ment was so largely made up of clerks and students who are now business or professional men in Boston, with common ties of residence and occupation as well as of army service, that the yearly meetings of the Association are more largely attended and more heartily enjoyed than are the reunions of regiments whose members have be- come scattered and estranged since the war.
This cordial fellowship led, many years ago, to a wish for some permanent record of the service in which it had its origin. The first reunion of the Forty-fourth was held March 14, 1876. As early as the annual meeting held Feb. 5, 1879, the project of publishing a regimental history was discussed, and referred, with full powers, to an Historical Committee consisting of Charles C. Soule, Edward C. Johnson, Col. Francis L. Lee, Frank G. Webster, and James B. Gardner.
At the annual meeting held Jan. 20, 1886, William Garrison Reed, Charles J. McIntire, Paul S. Yendell, John J. Wyeth, and Eben N. Hewins were added to this Committee.
The original Committee selected James B. Gardner to collect material and edit the history. Diligent inquiry
vi
PREFACE.
was made among members of the regiment for old letters, diaries, or sketches. From material of this kind, from newspaper files, from the records of the War Department, from the four monographs already published concerning the regiment,1 and from all other available sources, Cor- poral Gardner had compiled the rough notes for a regi- mental history, when he received a railroad appointment in the West, and removed from Boston to Dennison, Ohio. His new duties so thoroughly absorbed his time that he could not find leisure for working up his notes, and he therefore sent them just as they were to the Historical Committee. The members of this Committee were all exceptionally busy men, - far too busy to edit the history themselves. They were compelled to seek an editor outside of their own number; and much time was lost in trying to find among surviving members of the regiment some one with the leisure, zeal, literary ability, and patience needed for deciphering and putting into proper shape Gardner's rough notes. Several com- rades were almost persuaded to undertake the task; but laziness, diffidence, or actual inability to spare the neces- sary time finally overcame all of them. In despair, the Committee borrowed an idea from " The Memorial His- tory of Boston," divided the regimental record into chapters, each embracing some phase or event of our service, and endeavored to get different comrades to write them. In this attempt they were successful, although
1 "Letters from the Forty-fourth Regiment M. V. M., by Corporal " (Zenas T. Haines of Company D) ; "The Bay State Forty-fourth," by De Forest Safford ; " Roll of the Association of Company F, etc.," by E. N. Hewins; and "Leaves from a Diary written while serving in Company E, etc.," by J. J. Wyeth.
·
vii
. PREFACE.
progress was still slow, owing to the unconquerable dilatoriness of some of the contributors.
Fortunately, Gardner returned to Boston at this june- ture, and came to the rescue with renewed zeal and energy. Indeed, the other members of the Committee wish to say that notwithstanding the services rendered by the writers of chapters and by other comrades (among whom they would especially mention and thank Reed, Hewins, and Wyeth), Gardner has done by far the greater part of getting this book together, and deserves a proportionate share of the credit.
It was determined at an early stage in the enterprise that the history should be illustrated. To this end the Committee have been fortunate in securing the services of Paul S. Yendell, of Company G, whose sketches have the merit of being reminiscences of incidents of actual service with the Forty-fourth. The maps and plans have been carefully prepared and drawn (without compensation) by Comrade Gardner.
As the result of these prolonged efforts, - somewhat disproportionate, perhaps, to the size and importance of the book, - the Committee present to the Regimental Association this Record of the campaign of the Forty- fourth, believing that even the difficulties of preparation, and the consequent enlistment of so many different con- tributors, have tended to vary the style and increase the interest of the narrative.
Lest this book should come into the hands of any others than our own comrades, it may be well to say here that the members of the Forty-fourth, as only nine months' soldiers, recognize that they should speak
-
r
viii
PREFACE.
modestly of their services. But while yielding admira- tion and precedence to the veterans whose patriotism prompted and whose opportunities allowed a longer enlistment, the short-time men may be permitted to look back with some satisfaction to the part, however small, which they played in the great War of the Rebellion. The service of the Forty-fourth Massachusetts included a representative variety of the experiences of the Ameri- can volunteer during a winter campaign, - camp life, provost-duty, marches, skirmishes, a siege, battles serious enough to test the courage of the regiment, exposure, hardship, and losses by disease and in action. So far as it went, this service was serious work, and not a mere holiday parade. Older and more seasoned veter- ans will not begrudge us these modest reminiscences.
January, 1887.
.
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Plan of the DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, Arranged By JJB Gardner io D. 44th.
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Plan oj the DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, Arranged by JB Gardner ià D. 44th.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
PAGE
I. THE NEW ENGLAND GUARDS
I
James B. Gardner, Corporal, Co. D.
II. ORGANIZATION, AND CAMP AT READVILLE .
21
James B. Gardner, Corporal, Co. D.
III. VOYAGE TO NEW BERNE
41
Everett C. Bumpus, Co. H.
IV. NEW BERNE AND ITS GARRISON .
53
George F. Piper, Co. E.
V. CAMP LIFE
69
James B. Gardner, Corporal, Co. D.
VI. THE TARBORO' MARCH, AND THE AFFAIR OF LITTLE CREEK
AND RAWLE'S MILL .
109
Charles F. McIntire, Co. G.
VII. THE GOLDSBORO' EXPEDITION
133
Charles Storrow, Captain, Co. F.
VIII. THE PLYMOUTH EXPEDITION
147
Henry W. Hartwell, Co. A.
IX. WASHINGTON
159
Paul S. Vendell, Co. G.
X. PICKET-DUTY OF B AND F
197
Charles C. Soule, Second Lieutenant, Co. B.
XI. PROVOST DUTY, VOYAGE HOME, AND MUSTER OUT
205
Fames B. Gardner, Corporal, Co. D.
x
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
PAGE
XII. NORTH CAROLINA REVISITED . 223
. William Garrison Reed, Co. D.
XIII. MEDICAL
233
Dr. Theodore W. Fisher, Surgeon.
XIV. PERSONNEL
255
Rev. Edward H. Hall, Chaplain.
XV. SUBSEQUENT SERVICE
269
Eben N. Hewins, Co. F.
APPENDIX
293
James B. Gardner, Corporal, Co. D.
RIOT
293
ASSOCIATION
295
ROSTER .
301
RECAPITULATION : AGES
336
RECAPITULATION : PLACES OF ENLISTMENT
337
GENERAL SUMMARY
.
338
PRESENT RESIDENCE
339
PRESENT OCCUPATION
340
FAC-SIMILE SIGNATURES
341
INDEX 357
1
LIST OF PORTRAITS.
-
GROUP OF OFFICERS, READVILLE
To face page 21
GENERALS FOSTER, WESSELLS, AND STEVENSON
61.
FIELD AND STAFF OF THE FORTY-FOURTH
255
LIST OF MAPS AND PLANS.
DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA Following Preface.
NEW BERNE
To face page
53
BARRACKS AT. NEW BERNE
66 69
RAWLE'S MILLS
117
KINSTON
133
WHITEHALL ¥
66 140
WASHINGTON .
159
VICINITY OF NEW BERNE
=
66 197
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
BY P. S. YENDELL.
CHAPTER I.
NEW ENGLAND GUARDS.
PAGE
INITIAL - FOURTH BATTALION CREST .
I
SEAL - FOURTH BATTALION COAT OF ARMS . 4 CANNON
5
TAIL-PIECE - FORT INDEPENDENCE
20
CHAPTER II. CAMP AT READVILLE, ETC.
INITIAL - COLOR-GUARD 21
GOING TO WASH
.
26
INTERIOR OF BARRACK AFTER DRESS PARADE
32
TAIL-PIECE - BLUE HILL FROM CAMP-GROUND
39
CHAPTER III. VOYAGE TO NEW BERNE.
INITIAL - WHARF - WAITING TO GO ON BOARD 40
DECK OF " MERRIMAC"
46
RIDE TO NEW BERNE .
48
CHAPTER IV.
NEW BERNE, ETC.
INITIAL - COAT OF ARMS OF NORTH CAROLINA
53
TAIL-PIECE - ATTACK ON FORT ANDERSON
68
xiv -OK
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
CHAPTER V.
CAMP LIFE.
PAGE
INITIAL - ON GUARD
69
RIGHT WING OF BARRACKS .
71
DRAWING RATIONS . 74
HUCKSTERS AT GUARD LINE
75
POLICE SQUAD 78
CLEANING UP FOR INSPECTION 80
DISTRIBUTING LETTERS 90
MENDING CLOTHES
91
OPENING BOXES
95
TAIL-PIECE - INDISPENSABLES
108
CHAPTER VI.
TARBORO'.
REGIMENT ON THE MARCH (from a sketch by Lieut .- Col .. Cabot) . 109
INITIAL - REVEILLE 109
COTTON-PRESS I12
GATHERING RAILS
I20
FORAGING
123
MAKING COFFEE AND DRYING BLANKETS
130
TAIL-PIECE - DESPATCH BOAT
131
CHAPTER VII.
GOLDSBORO'.
INITIAL - FIELD AND STAFF BIVOUAC 133
CAMP COOKING . 136
MIDNIGHT IN BIVOUAC 141
" CLEAR GRIT"
144
TAIL-PIECE - LUGGAGE AND CONVEYANCE
146
CHAPTER VIII.
PLYMOUTHI.
INITIAL - " NORTHERNER " AT WHARF . 147
OLD MILL 150
HAM-FAT MARCHI
153
XV
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
CHAPTER IX.
WASHIINGTON.
PAGE
INITIAL - BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF LEFT CENTRE
COOR-HOUSE, COMPANY G 159
BLOCKHOUSE NO. 2 161
163
TRAVERSE AND SPLINTER-PROOF - LEFT OF COMPANY G 177
DRAWING RATIONS UNDER FIRE 183
T.MIL-PIECE
196
CHAPTER X. PICKET DUTY.
INITIAL -" HALT ! WHO GOES THERE!" 197
SCOUTING IN FLAT-BOAT . 199
BATCHELDER'S CREEK PICKET POST 201
CHAPTER XI.
PROVOST DUTY.
INITIAL -SENTRY AT HEADQUARTERS 205
EXAMINING PASSES . 208
SENTRY FISHING 209
TAIL-PIECE - COLORED WASHERWOMAN
222
CHAPTER XII.
NORTH CAROLINA REVISITED.
INITIAL - HOW WE TRAVEL NOW 223
CHAPTER XIII.
MEDICAL.
INITIAL - DISPENSARY DOOR AT SURGEON'S CALL 233
CHAPTER XIV.
PERSONNEL ..
INITIAL 255
xvi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
CHAPTER XV.
SUBSEQUENT SERVICE.
PAGE
INITIAL
291
TAIL-PIECE
299
APPENDIX. ASSOCIATION.
INITIAL - ASSOCIATION BADGE
295
1
1234082008
A
CHAPTER I.
NEW ENGLAND GUARDS.
N writing the biography of an individ- ual it is customary to refer to his an- cestry; and in writing what might be called an autobiography of the Forty- fourth Regiment it therefore seems appropriate to give a short account of the New England Guards, a military organization founded during the War of 1812-1815, and from which that regiment was lineally descended. "The New England Guards were regularly organized at a meeting held at Con- cert Hall, Boston, Sept. 19, 1812, un- der authority of an order issued by the Brigadier-General commanding the Third Brigade, First Division, M. V. M. Forty votes were cast, and Samuel Swett was elected captain; George Sullivan, lieutenant; and Lemuel Blake, ensign. The meeting then adjourned to the 24th, when James Dalton was chosen first sergeant; Stephen G. Brown, second; William Ward, third; and Isaac Mansfield, fourth. The corporals were chosen five days later. At this meeting the draft of the constitution was read and discussed, and on the following evening, Septem- ber 25, at a meeting held at Faneuil Hall, it was adopted.
The preamble read as follows : --
"To facilitate the performance of the duty which we owe to our country of adding to our character as citizens some portion of the skill of the sol- dier ; to increase our usefulness as militiamen by adding to the zeal which
1
2
FORTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
is excited by patriotism, the ardor which is inspired by emulation ; and to give to each one of us, while exerting himself for his own and the State's defence, that confidence in each other's zealous and skilful co-operation which can result only from military discipline, we have voluntarily asso- ciated ourselves for the purpose of forming a company of light infantry ; and to govern us in the pursuit of these objects we have adopted the fol- lowing articles for our constitution."
This was quite lengthy, and contained the provisions usually found in documents of that description. The uniform as origi- nally ordered would look strange in these days: -
" A plain, dark blue coat, double-breasted, with gilt buttons ; white waist- coat ; white pantaloons ; blue cloth pantaloons ; half-boots with black tas- sels ; round hat with a black leather cockade, yellow eagle in the centre, and a gold loop extending down to the band ; a black silk stock.
The duties of the officers are described with exceeding minute- ness. A clause in the article specifying those of the orderly sergeant reminds us how inadequate were the postal facilities in those days : -
" He shall notify all the members of every meeting by signing a written or printed notification, which he shall seasonably deliver to the other ser- geants and corporals in equal parts ; and it is hereby declared to be their duty to deliver said notifications without delay to the members to whom they are addressed."
Previous to the declaration of peace in 1815, one hundred and twenty-six members had joined the Guards. Among them were many who in after years were enrolled among the "solid men of Boston; " and their children and grandchildren were found in most of the regiments sent to the front from Massachusetts, and in a few which went from other States. Abbott Lawrence be- came Minister to England; Joseph B. Henshaw was for -some time Collector of the Port of Boston; William Greenough, Jr., was a well-known hardware merchant, and his son is now Presi- dent of the Trustees of the Public Library; Nathan Hale was editor of one of the most influential newspapers in New England and father of Rev. Edward Everett Hale; and the names of Samuel Swett, George Sullivan, Lemuel Blake, Stephen G. Brown, George Dana, Massa Willis, Robert P. Williams, Reuben Richards, Jr., Charles Tidd, Moses Grant, Jr., Richard Ward,
3
NEW ENGLAND GUARDS.
Watson Gore, Deming Jarves, Lorenzo Draper, Jonathan G. Bar- nard, Thomas Dennie, Jr., Joseph Callendar, Jr., Cheever New- hall, Joseph West, Jr., Benjamin F. White, Thomas R. Sewall, Joseph Ballister, Jeffrey Richardson, Barney Tisdale, Samuel Hunt,1 Isaac Child, Joseph Hay, and others will be readily re- called by all the older generation of Bostonians. Mr. Hay is still living.2 Dan Simpson and Si Smith were the drummer and fifer. Simpson attended the annual reunion of our regiment in 1884.3
The company drilled regularly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fri- days, and Saturdays, from September 23 to November 19, when it made its first public parade under command of Captain Swett, and was presented with " an elegant standard " by General Welles. If those to whom his speech was addressed did not have the opportunity to practise its precepts, its spirit animated the members of the Guards, as their record from 1861 to 1865 conclusively proved. A few extracts may well be given : --
" In a free republic a permanent and standing military force has ever been considered dangerous if not hostile to the liberties of the people. The framers of our happy constitution of government have preferred an appeal to the patriotism of the citizens ; on the discipline, therefore, of its citizen soldiers the prosperity of the State essentially depends.
"We witness with pleasure this day your enlistment among the de- fenders of their country ; the trust is sacred ; the duties imposing. On your patriotism we may confidently rely. Valor and discipline will point to you the path to glory. Remember that the independence of your country was purchased with the toils and blood of your fathers, and in your hands the sacred deposit is placed for posterity. . . As honor- able citizens and undaunted soldiers cultivate harmony with each other, preserve subordination, perfect yourselves in discipline, and the reward you will receive for this valuable service will be the sublime satisfaction which results from the discharge of duty with fidelity and the grateful acknowledgments of your fellow-citizens."
The standard was accepted on behalf of the Guards by Ensign Blake. In his response occurred the sentence which the Guards afterwards adopted as their motto : -
1 Father of Captain Charles Hunt, of Company G.
2 Mr. Hay celebrated his ninety sixth birthday anniversary, Jan. 15, 1886.
3 Dan Simpson died, after this chapter was written, at a good old age.
1
4
FORTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
. Although our country is engaged in a war contrary to the views of the people of New England, yet, if in the course of its events we should be called to the tented field by our venerable commander-in-chief ' to repel invasion,' 'to suppress insubordination,' or 'to execute the laws of the Union,' we pledge our life's blood to preserve this standard from dishonor. 'OUR NATION'S HONOR IS THE BOND OF UNION.'"
On this occasion it is noted as a fact worth remembering that the Guards " partook of cake and wine with General Welles," and that they went " from the Common to the home of Captain Swett, where a superb collation was pro- 1812 vided by his liberality." All through the orderly book such notations as these are contin- NOT OUR NATION'S HONOR THE BOND OF ually found, showing that the Guards had a keen apprecia- tion for the pleasures of the table; and on the principle of transmitted traits we may account for the distaste with which many of its later members received the hard-tack and salt horse furnished them half a century afterwards.
At a meeting held at Concert Hall the following evening, the company voted to present a piece of plate to General Welles "expressive of their respect and gratitude for his honorable patronage." They also voted the thanks of the New England Guards to " the young lady who honored them with the elegant draft of the Roll of Members." 1
At the suggestion of General Welles, the officers of the Guards, with the approval of the majority of the members, applied to the
I On the margin of the orderly book is a memorandum dated October, IS42, to the effect that the young lady was Miss Walter, afterwards wife of Mr. S. F. MeCleary, the first City Clerk of Boston. Many of our comrades knew her personally, and the writer has heard her express the gratification she felt on this occasion. Miss Walter was an accomplished penwoman, and the original design which she made for the inscription on the plate presented to General Welles, as well as several other designs which she furnished, are preserved in one of the orderly books.
.
5
NEW ENGLAND GUARDS.
Governor and Council for a couple of cannon for the use of the corps. The matter was considered at the council meeting in January, 1813, but the officers having learned unofficially that the Governor did not feel authorized to act in the matter, the petition was, by consent of all parties interested, withdrawn, and General Boyd of the United States Army, commandant of the station, requested to loan the Guards the desired cannon. This request he kindly granted. On Jan. 19, 1813, " the weather was rainy and the roads wet with melting snow; but the Guards resolving unanimously to march, they proceeded to the Navy Yard at Charlestown, whence they brought the cannon into Boston and lodged them at the artillery gun-house at four o'clock P. M." These were returned to the Navy Yard Feb. 9, 1814,1 at the request of General Cushing. On the same day it was voted that " the commissioned officers be appointed a committee to apply to the Legislature of the State for a pair of brass cannon for the use of the com- pany." There is no rec- ord of the time when these were received; but on June 13, 1814, the "Guards started for Charlestown with the six-pounders." These cannon were in possession of the corps for several years. By some means they were lost, but were found a few years since, and for a while formed " the battery " at the residence of Colonel W. V. Hutchings, Roxbury. Rc- cently they have been placed in the rooms of the Bostonian Society, in the Old State House. Each piece bears the inserip- tion, " Cast & Mounted by Order of the Board of War for the N. E. G., 1814." 2
February 18, 1813, the Guards volunteered escort duty to the committee on the reception of Commodore Bainbridge of the " Constitution," who had just won the victory over the
I There is doubt if this date is correct.
2 The orderly books and all the records of the Guards which can be found have been placed with the Bostonian Society in trust.
6
FORTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
" Guerrière." Commander Rogers, Captain Hull, and others participated.
On Thursday morning, Sept. 2, 1813, the company paraded. The day was intensely hot. The orderly notes, " Number of members small, but these were resolute." After taking their guns and baggage-wagons from the gun-house on Beacon Street, they proceeded by West Boston Bridge, West Cambridge, and the west side of Medford Pond to Gardner's Locks. On the way " we made the hills and vales resound with our animated songs." Most of us undoubtedly recall many instances when, if our orderly sergeants had not been completely worn out with fatigue, they, too, might have made similar entries. Few of us will ever forget the inspiration we felt as we joined in the chorus of " John Brown " or " Kingdom Coming," or listened to the Howard boys, or Ewer, or Powers, or Perkins, in one of their special songs.
When the Guards reached their destination, "the Lake of the Woods," they pitched their tents; the encampment "was on streets running from front to rear, as practised in Europe." On Friday they marched to Medford, and after partaking of the hospitality of the adjutant-general, Peter C. Brooks, established their camp on the hill in rear of Mr. Tidd's house. On Saturday "they returned to Boston. The time had been well occupied in drill, target practice, and similar duties, not forgetting the social, which the Guards never neglected. The record in the orderly book is quite long, and concludes as follows: "Thus having the honor to be the first military corps that has marched out of town with complete camp equipage, made a regular encampment, and performed regular camp duty for three successive days since the establishment of our Commonwealth."
Captain Swett having resigned (October, 1813), to accept posi- tion as Topographical Engineer of the Northern Army, on April 2, 1814, George Sullivan was elected captain and Lemuel Blake lieutenant.
Sunday, April 3, 1814, the commanding officer learned from Commodore Bainbridge that the frigate " Constitution " had been chased into Marblehead harbor by a seventy-four and two frig- ates of the enemy. The news was received at 5.30 A. M. The Guards assembled, formed, and started at 7 A. M. On the way to
7
NEW ENGLAND GUARDS.
Marblehead they made a short halt at the residence of Commo- dore Bainbridge in Charlestown. Soon after resuming their march they were recalled by orders from the Commodore direct- ing them to return to Boston to take charge of some heavy ordnance which he intended to send to Marblehead. As the horses were not ready, the corps was dismissed till II P. M., when every member who had turned out in the morning reported for duty. Several others, whose notifications had not reached them carly enough to enable them to join in the first march to Charlestown, were also present. News reached the armory about midnight that the enemy had retreated, and the Guards were dismissed. One of the older members, 1 whose recollection of this parade was very distinct, said that Abbott Lawrence, who always manifested a very strong interest in the Guards, started in the morning shod in light dancing-pumps; that before reaching Charlestown he was practically barefooted; but, far from being · discouraged, he hired a boy to go home for his boots, and met him carrying them towards Marblehead as the column was returning.
June 13, 1814, the Guards went into camp at Charlestown to guard the Chelsea bridge, which Commodore Bainbridge feared might be attacked. They remained there from Monday till Thursday, and in consideration of their services were invited to the launch of the seventy-four gun-ship, then almost completed, and to a collation at the residence of the Commodore after the launch.
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