USA > Massachusetts > Record of the service of the Forty-fourth Massachusetts volunteer militia in North Carolina, August 1862 to May 1863 > Part 11
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Refreshed a little by our rest, we left Williamstown between three and four o'clock in the afternoon and advanced westerly toward Hamilton, passing scenes similar to those of yesterday and this morning. The country grew higher and more undu- lating. Substantial and extensive plantation buildings, with pic- turesque cotton-presses and ginning-houses, stood in the fields and added to the beauty of the landscape. The soil, a rich sandy loam without a stone, was easy for the plough, and furrows three quarters of a mile in length, as straight as a line, were seen on either side. Great fields of white, full-rowed corn, on stalks ten to twelve feet in height, stood unharvested, and acres upon acres of cotton were still unpicked.
The planters' dwellings, surrounded with broad verandas, standing back from the road, almost hidden by clumps of acacias and other ornamental trees, presented a most liospitable appear- ance. Beyond extended the forest, with its leaves turned to a liquid amber, relieved in places by the deep evergreen of the bay
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and myrtle and by the richer colors of the large-leaved oak, while here and there the stately and majestic cypress presented a deep golden tint. Nearer the road persimmon-trees with heavily laden branches invited us to partake, and the fruit being fully ripe was plucked and greatly enjoyed.
This day was also hot; but being upon higher ground, and no longer compelled to wade through creeks and swamps, marching was more easy, and we did not suffer as on the day previous, though many were forcing themselves along, blistered and ulcered, some without shoes, having had to remove them to relieve their swollen and laccrated feet.
Long after dark we were filed by brigades into one of the great cornfields to bivouac. Every other man in the files, having passed his musket to his comrade, took a couple of fence-rails upon his shoulder for fuel. Soon the lines were distinctly marked by fires, with dark figures moving over and around them. Sweet potatoes, found in an adjoining field, were roasted and enjoyed with our coffee, and cornstalks and husks were gathered as fodder for the horses.
It was another cold night, and in spite of the fires, we suffered. Rubber blankets are neither warm nor soft. Few could sleep, and many wore away the night revolving before the scant fires in futile attempt to keep all sides comfortable at once.
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The next morning we fell in at daylight and continued on until eleven o'clock, when we were delayed about two hours while the pioneers rebuilt another bridge which had been burned by the enemy.' The road had followed the river for some distance, and we were halted near to Rainbow Bluff, where was constructed an elaborate fortification to command the river, and many embraced the opportunity afforded to examine it. At this point, where the river makes a bend or bow, the bluff rises perhaps more than a hundred feet; and here was placed the fort, so high that, the river being narrow and winding, boats could not elevate their pieces to bear upon it, making it a place of great natural defence from that side, and enabling the enemy to prevent the farther passage up the river of our gunboats. On the land side, how- ever, it was unprotected except by a light breastwork which had recently been thrown up; so the garrison wisely concluded not to stay and contest the place with us. It had been mounted with field pieces, which ungenerously they carried off with them.
From this eminence was viewed a charming prospect of the river and surrounding country, - extensive fields, some golden with yellow stalks, others white with cotton as if covered with snow, dotted here and there with little nest-like groves containing inviting mansions, the homes of the planters. The silvery stream wound in and among these, and bounding all was the forest, rich in its autumn-hued foliage. While examining this fort and the fine prospect afforded, six gunboats steamed by in succession up the stream, each of which in its turn was heartily greeted by rounds of cheers.
On our march to this point the fifth division of our regiment, Companies A and G, were sent out on another road with some cavalry and two Napoleon guns to endeavor to entrap the gar- rison of the fort. They were led down a road leading to the left and into the woods. Proceeding some distance, they halted at a place very similar in appearance to that where we met the enemy on Sunday evening. It was expected that they would pass through here, so the infantry was drawn up in the woods above the road at a point which commanded it, the guns were pointed, and the cavalry placed among the trees out of view. Here they waited patiently and in silence about two hours, and until the
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videttes came in and reported that the enemy had taken another route; when, felling trees to prevent future approach on this road, they were turned back to join the main force, which was over- taken waiting for the building of the bridge before spoken of, having previously destroyed and made useless the fortification.
The bridge being soon completed, we marched to Hamilton about three o'clock in the afternoon. Here, by the surgeon's orders, thirty of our wounded, sick, and disabled were put on board of a small steamer, with about two hundred others of the various commands, and sent back to New Berne.
Being on short rations, foraging parties were detailed from each regiment to enter the town and collect food, the inhabitants having also retreated and gone to Tarboro', a place of some importance on the railroad, upon the line of direct communication with Richmond. The streets soon resounded with despairing cries of fleeing pigs and poultry relentlessly pursued by des- perately hungry men. Without leave, some stole into the town to forage upon their own account, and commenced wholesale pillage which the officers vigorously attempted to restrain; but the streets soon became full of these, many of whom, made fren- zied by apple-jack, which was found in plenty, commenced to deface and destroy household articles and carry off furniture and goods. Our boys, here as at Williamstown, refrained from such unsoldierly conduct, and, beyond searching for and securing articles and animals for food, they respected the property of the citizens.
Sitting around our camp-fires in the evening, our attention was called to a cloud of smoke arising above some of the houses, which rapidly increased in volume, and it was seen that a con- siderable portion of the town was in flames, caused by the care- lessness or malice of some soldier or sailor. After eight o'clock, by the light of the burning houses, we were marched through the town and a few miles beyond, where we bivouacked.
Before leaving Hamilton, and at the suggestion of Colonels Stevenson and Amory, who had already made similar represen- tations, our field officers waited upon the general and represented to him that the men were fatigued, footsore, and broken by the continuous marching, lack of rest and sufficient food, and would
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be unable to proceed much farther. He expressed regret at being obliged to press his force so hard, and said that he would only have to move them a little farther, where there was im- portant work which would soon be accomplished, after which he would at once turn homeward to New Berne.
At daylight Wednesday morning we broke camp and went on in the direction of Tarboro', We met large numbers of pigs, lean
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and active as hounds, many of which were sacrificed to appease our hunger. Had it not been for the pigs, fowls, and sweet pota- toes which we foraged, we could hardly have gone so far into the enemy's country, for no meat was given out after our start. Our five days' rations were consumed in three, and three pieces of hard bread, with a little coffee and what we could pick up, had been for some time our daily ration. At one period of this march, during forty-eight hours some of us received but a single piece of hard-tack.
We were halted at noon and allowed to make coffee and cook whatever we had foraged during the forenoon. There was here a fork in the road, one branch leading directly to Tarboro' and the other by a circuitous route to the same place. After lunch
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the same detachment sent forward yesterday - namely, Com- panies A and G of the Forty-fourth, under Captain James M. Richardson, with a few of the cavalry, and two small brass how- itzers, all commanded by Major Garrard of the cavalry - were sent forward on the direct road to make a demonstration, while the main body followed the other road, which passed through many swamps.' The air was close and murky, and the marching very hard upon the footsore and hungry men.
The two companies procceded without adventure until about the setting of the sun, when they passed a house on the left of the road with the doors standing open, apparently just deserted. On the opposite side of the road was a blacksmith's shop with the fires in the forge still lighted. There was unnatural quiet, only broken by the complaint of a grumbler who was declaring his belief that there was not a Rebel within twenty-five miles, and that it was a confounded shame thus to march the legs off the men, when -flash, bang ! - from the brush on the side of the road came a volley, emptying two or three saddles and wounding two of the horses at the head of the little column, bringing it to a sudden halt. Company A, with some of the cavalry and one howitzer, was in the advance, and Company G, with the remain- ing cavalry and howitzer, followed. Immediately upon firing the volley, and before our men could recover from their surprise, the ambushers fled across the fields to the woods beyond. Looking across to the left near to the wood, around some hay or fodder stacks could be seen men cautiously moving with guns in their hands. Order was given to face to the left, and the fences were torn down for the cavalry to pass into the field. This order, however, was countermanded, and facing again forward they were marched a little farther on, both howitzers were planted in front pointing up the road, and Company G was put into position to support them, with Company A as reserve. The major rode a few feet in advance of the guns, and with his glass tried to make out the position of the enemy. He had hardly applied it to his eye when a rifle-shot was fired, and the involuntary ducking of his head told how near the bullet passed. A scout who had been sent out cautiously to examine and ascertain what force was be- fore them, at this time came in from woods on the right, reporting
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that strong works with many men and guns opposed farther advance. In front, where the road entered the forest, it appeared as if intrenehments crossed, and it was said that the glass dis- tinguished guns in position to sweep the road whereon our men stood. This caused alarm to our diminutive force, and with little hesitation the order was given, " About, face ! forward, march !" and after a few steps, " Double-quick, march!" Thus for nearly four miles they were compelled to run before the command was given, " Halt!" Notwithstanding the intimation given that if any fell out they would be sabred by the cavalry bringing up the rear, so that the enemy might not be able to get informa- tion of the littleness of the force, a few gave out completely in this rapid retreat, and were put upon the gun-carriages so as not to be left behind. One of the dead cavalrymen was also taken along upon a gun. Arriving at the place where they had halted for lunch at noon, exhausted, they stopped to rest and bury the dead.
The main force was gone. They were in the midst of the enemy, and, lest their presence should be betrayed, it was ordered to hold no conversation, not even in a whisper, and pickets were stationed with directions to shoot without challenge any one who approached. It had been dark for more than half an hour when this spot was reached, and the men threw themselves down upon the ground for rest. Now it began to sprinkle, and soon to rain heavily. Scouts were sent forward, some of whom returned say- ing the road was clear, and the men were awakened and ordered to advance. Stiff, tired, and footsore, they hobbled along in the rain for about two miles, when another scout came in who re- ported he had found the camp some distance ahead, and that General Foster had sent word for them to rest where they were until morning. Thereupon they sought soft places in and near the road, and despite the falling rain and chilly atmosphere soon fell into sound slumber.
In about an hour one of the posted guard came in saying that a considerable force of the enemy had just crossed the road be- tween them and the camp, about half a mile ahead. For a short time things looked serious, and it seemed doubtful if they would be permitted to join the main force; but about two hours later
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a messenger from the camp found and gave them directions to move there immediately.
The mud was now deep, and so sticky that walking was more difficult. It was sunrise when they reached camp, jaded and worn.
After hot coffee and something to eat, it having been ascer- tained that Tarboro' was strongly reinforced with artillery and cavalry from Richmond, the general, after a council of his offi- cers, determined it not to be prudent to make an attack, for the reason that the infantry force was insufficient to protect the guns, the loss of which he could not afford to risk; and therefore he faced us homeward.
All that day until dark we marched through mud, rain, and snow, back to Hamilton, many falling out through exhaustion, who were taken up by the ambulances and baggage-wagons, the enemy's cavalry in considerable numbers hanging on our skirts and rear, watching an opportunity to cut some of us off. At Hamilton, wet to the skin, we took possession of the de- serted buildings, - the first shelter which we had had since leav- ing " Little " Washington. Getting what rest and sleep we could, on the next morning, Friday, wc awoke to find an inch of snow upon the ground, and the flakes falling as thick and merrily as on a Christmas Day in New England.
Fearing an attack under disadvantage, we were not permitted longer delay ; so we fell in and wearily marched to Williamstown, reaching there about half-past four in the afternoon, where we were once more quartered in the empty dwellings. On this day's march large quantities of honey were secured from the many hives abounding in the vicinity, and officers as well as privates were seen tramping on, their dippers filled with the luscious comb, regaling themselves by the aid of clean-licked fingers, their besmeared faces giving silent but expressive voice to feel- ings of gratitude for the unexpected treat.
At Williamstown we remained until Sunday morning to give us rest, being now under protection of the gunboats. Many were here obliged to go into a temporary hospital established in one of the houses, Colonel Stevenson being among the number. Yesterday, forty more from our regiment, entirely used up, were
.
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put upon gunboats at Hamilton. Other regiments suffered pro- portionately more than ours, the youth of our men proving more elastic in recovery from the effects of hardship and privations. Our long marches at Readville, too, which at the time seemed so unnecessary, had done much to toughen and prepare us for this kind of work.
It being considered unwise to leave the protection of the gun- boats, instead of marching us back to Washington we were to continue down by the Roanoke River to Plymouth, about twenty- two miles away. Therefore at daylight Sunday we resumed the road. Notwithstanding our rest, we were still lame and unfit to march, and must have resembled a host of beggars. Those in the worst condition were placed at the head of the column where marching is easier, and many officers kindly gave up their horses for them to ride, while they varied their own experience by pro- ceeding on foot. Walking limbered our joints and took the stiff- ness from our limbs, and after the halt for dinner, the roads being much improved, the near approach of the termination of our jour- ney revived our spirits, and one or two breaking forth in song, the others joyously took up the refrain, and " We're going home " was rendered with deep and appreciative feeling.
At four in the afternoon we filed into a cornfield as usual to encamp, and the invalids, Assistant-Surgeon Fisher being now among that number, were comfortably established in a neigh- boring farm-house. The day had been fine, the air cool and bracing, and the marching, on account of better roads, much easier. The moon arose bright and charming, and with serious feelings the officers and men assembled around the fire at head- quarters, where hymns were sung, Chaplain Hall offered prayer, and afterward addressed us, impressively alluding to the com- rades we had lost and the hardships we had shared. At the close we broke up and retired, much overcome by the novel scene and our reflections.
The following morning we started early, and halted just outside the town of Plymouth at noon. The weather was fine, and many embraced the opportunity of taking a bath in the river. The transports expected here to convey us to New Berne not hav- ing arrived, we were again introduced to a cornfield to use for
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our mattress. Our former good spirits had now fully returned, and we looked forward to a happy arrival at our comfortable barracks.
Some got a chance to enter and view the town, which was found to be, like Washington, picturesque. The trees overhung the streets, and meeting formed a vista like the nave prolonged of a Gothic cathedral, and the houses with chimneys built on the outside, gathered in at the second story, many of them covered with ivy, seemed homelike and cosey.
The next day, Tuesday, November 11, at noon, our regiment em- barked on the transports "Collins " and " Northerner," the former having the schooner "Recruit" in tow, carrying a portion of an- other regiment. Soon by some mismanagement the schooner was upon a shoal, over which the captain of the " Collins " attempted to haul her, thereby quickly getting her into a bad position. Colonel Lee ordered him to shift the hawser and pull her off stern first, which the captain refused to do, whereupon the colonel at once put him under arrest and sent him to his cabin. General Foster, coming up in the " Pilot-boy," approved this action, and gave charge of the "Collins " to the captain of the " Recruit," which was soon taken off the shoal and proceeded on its way with the rest down the river. The behavior of the captain of the "Collins" aroused suspicion in all minds, for he seemed in no hurry to relieve the vessel from her condition, where in case of an attack we would have been in a very embarrassing situation. He, however, professed great indignation at his arrest and con- finement, and informed the colonel. that he intended to "meet him on the field of honor," and also in the courts of law.
Our run down the river was greatly enjoyed; for though the banks were low, yet the growth of trees, shrubs, and brakes, - the former draped with moss, -- and the richly-colored reeds, foliage, and grasses, rendered it pleasant to the view.
That night we cast anchor, but carly on Wednesday morning we again steamed away through Albemarle Sound, passing Roan- oke Island, into Pamlico Sound. The "Northerner" ran upon a bar and was compelled to wait some hours before it could be got off. Soon it was again fast, and all were taken aboard another steamer until it was relieved. The day was fine, and the monoto-
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nous sound from the engines, combined with our fatigue, caused us to pass the time in charming rest and dozing. In the night the "Northerner " once more was aground, and about ninety horses aboard were taken upon another boat before she could be floated.
After another day upon the water, at half-past cight on Thurs- day night, those upon this vessel, because of its drawing too much water to get to the wharf, were taken upon the " M. S. Allison," and at about nine were safely landed at New Berne, when they hastened to the barracks, where, to their joy and sur- prise, a princely supper of baked beans, fried onions, sweet potatoes, hot coffee, and hard-tack awaited them, prepared by the boys who had been left in charge. Joyously and ravenously they set to and devoured the repast, filled with gratitude for their present relief from hardship.
The boys upon the "Collins" did not land until daylight on the next day, November 14, when they too were treated to a generous meal at their barracks, which was truly a " break fast " for them.
They had just been experiencing lively times at New Berne, a serious attack having been made at various points and the pickets driven in. But the enemy had delayed too long, for many of the troops connected with our expedition having returned were immediately sent out to repel them, and the iron-clad car " Moni- tor" ran up on the railroad and shelled the woods, driving them off with some loss. Our casualties were one man killed of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, and six wounded.
Thus was accomplished our first expedition. Its object, to destroy the iron-clad ram " Albemarle," then constructing at Tar- boro', to save Plymouth from capture by the enemy, and if possible to entrap the force gathering for that purpose, was but partially successful, as they were too wary and strong for us. But we gained valuable experience, which was well calculated to try our mettle as soldiers. Under our baptism of fire we had stood firm and unflinching. Though by the blunder of an offi- cious staff officer overruling the previous order of the colonel our two right flank companies, unsuspicious of danger, were massed in the waters of the creek just before the sheltered enemy, yet they hardly wavered under the murderous volley so
-
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suddenly poured into them, but rushed forward with enthusiasm without waiting for orders. Of our demeanor, at an inspection had immediately after our return, General Foster took occasion to say publicly that we " behaved like veterans." In marching, too, the best did not surpass us, and in every manner we won the praises of our commanding officers, as also the esteem and respect of the older regiments. The good humor manifested by our boys under adverse circumstances drew forth remark Toil-
ing weary miles over the worst of roads, with blistered feet and clothing saturated by water from the skies above and swamps beneath, with no prospect ahead more cheering than that of a bivouac under the open sky, upon the damp and frosty earth, often some genial comrade would enliven the spirits of his com- panions by a witty remark, or make them forget their discom- forts by breaking forth in melody to be contagiously taken up in chorus by all. In that dismal swamp on our return march, closed in by the gloom of the surrounding woods and the night, - on such an occasion, the " Old Mountain Tree " was rendered with such feeling that it left an impression which will never be effaced.
The friendship entered into upon this march between us and the other regiments of our brigade, strengthened by subsequent
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common hardships and dangers, will never be severed. Dear to us always will be our comrades of the Fifth Rhode Island, Tenth Connecticut, and Twenty-fourth Massachusetts; and " Lit- tle Creek," " Rawle's Mill," and the "Tarboro' March" will ever be subjects of interest to the survivors of the Massachusetts Forty-fourth.
* * TO KINSTON
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9
Sketch of the Kinston Battle Ground. o
I. REGIMENT UNSLUNG KNAPSACKS. 2. SECOND POSITION OF REGIMENT.
3 SWAMP THROUGH WHICH IOT CONN, AND RIGHT WING PASSED.
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4 OLD CHURCH.
5 STREAM FORDEO BY LEFT WING. 6, UNION BATTERIES.
4
7 HOSPITAL.
& BRIDGE.
9 REBEL EARTHWORKS.
WHITEHALL
To
TO NEW BERNE
Dec 16. 1962. Arranged by J B GAROWER, COD
MELISTYPE PRINTINS CO COTTON
7
CHAPTER VII.
GOLDSBORO' EXPEDITION.
ARLY on Thursday morning, Dec. 11, 1862, all was life and bustle in camp, the final touches were given to our preparations made the day before, and by 6 A. M. regi- mental line was formed. But our start soon proved rather the prelude to one of those tedious waits that often accom- pany the moving of a large force except when near the enemy; and, for our field of operations, it was indeed a large force that was now about to cut loose from its base, and, relying largely upon the resources of the country, to penetrate into the interior of the Old North State.
The brigade of which we formed a part was composed of the Twenty-fourth and Forty-fourth Massachusetts, Fifth Rhode Island, and Tenth Connecticut Regiments, and was commanded by Colonel Stevenson. The rest of our force consisted of Colonel H. C. Lee's brigade, the Fifth, Twenty-fifth, Third, Forty-sixth, and Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Regiments; Colonel Amory's brigade, the Seventeenth, Twenty-third, Forty-third, Forty-fifth and Fifty-first Massachusetts Regiments ; Brigadier-General Wes- sell's brigade, the Eighty-fifth, Ninety-second, Ninety-sixth New York, Eighty-fifth, One Hundred and First, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Regiments. Also the Ninth New Jersey In- fantry and Third New York Cavalry; six batteries of the Third New York Artillery, and Belger's Battery of the First Rhode
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