USA > New York > Records of the 24th Independent Battery, N. Y. Light Artillery, U. S. V. > Part 12
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Nor can we forget the " Halt ! who comes there ?" and the sudden presentation of the bayonet of the Massa- chusetts sentinel, and our sudden huddling together and approaching to give the necessary salutation and pass- word. The mill turned out 15,000 feet of lumber, which was a great assistance to us the following winter, in building winter quarters in New Berne.
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Tuesday evening, December 10th, an extra train brought down orders for us to strike tents, pack up all our personal effects and be aboard the cars by the time the engine returned from Beaufort.
We were ready at the appointed time. And about one o'clock were on the train, started for New Berne, bidding Newport Barracks "good bye" for ever. The Battery had been stationed there five months. We felt quite at home there, and had not that strong desire for an active soldiers' life been so predominant in our minds, I doubt not we should have felt a little twang of regret at leaving.
We make a few selections from the letters of the cor- respondent of the Wyoming Times, which relate more particularly to their social and domestic life :
HAMMOND HOSPITAL, BEAUFORT, N. C. October 16, 1862.
Day before yesterday I took a sail of about ten miles with a party of twelve others. There was a good stiff breeze, and we ran at the rate of 2.40, nearly, making the ten miles in three quarters of hour. Westopped on the sound side of the island, and then took the direct path that led to the beach. The surge rolled high-and as we went for the purpose of gathering shells this was very favorable for us. We wandered along the beach toward the Cape Lookout light house, and approach- ed near enough to take a good survey of it. It is one of the best light houses on the shore, but for some reason it is not now used. This Island is named from the cape, Lookout Island. We soon turned into one of the paths (they have no roads here, and the country is entirely covered with a low brush that they term woods, with occasionally a path in it that leads to a dwelling), and following it about a mile we came ab- ruptly upon a settlement, three or four houses with their kitchens and cook room, which are always separate from the house, that is, detached from it. The old lady out on the stoop was considerably frightened
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at first, at so many blue-coats, and refused to entertain us at all, but one of her sons coming to the house, she finally concluded that she would keep half a dozen of us over night and give us tea and breakfast. The salt water breeze and long walk had given us voracious appetites, and as we sat down to milk, eggs, fish, sweet potatoes and Youpon tea, you would have been astonished to have seen it disappear so rapidly before six hospital patients.
After tea the boys sat down to do their smoking, and the old lady, son and daughter, did the talking. They entertained us with stories of the war-particularly the taking of Fort Macon and Beaufort. It seems that our forces took the place just in time to prevent the son, with sixteen others who had been drafted by rebel conscription, being forced to go into the southern army. There is not a rebel on the whole island, and there was great anxiety when the battle was fought, and great rejoicing when we had won the day. The island was under cross fire of the forces, and many shot and shell fell on it, often quickly dispersing the crowds that had collected to see the fight. Anecdotes were numerous, so much so, indeed, that I should really get the " stories mixed " if I should endeavor to tell any of them.
We rested very well that night, considering that they gave us feather beds to sleep on-for I cannot now rest or sleep on anything softer than a mattress. Next morning we were up early and over to the beach before breakfast. When we returned the old lady had pre- pared us a fine breakfast. As we offered to pay her for our entertain- ment, she refused any remuneration, saying, " I want to do all I can to help the Union cause, and you are welcome to all the house affords as long as you choose to stay." We had dinner at another house before we came off, when they made the same remark in substance, and re- fused to take pay.
I noticed that there was a greater variety of the feathered tribe on this island than on the other shore, as all the birds are there represented in one-the mocking bird.
Yesterday I went to Morehead City, which is situated and bears about the same relation to Beaufort that Jersey City does to New York. It is a small place, mostly inhabited by fishermen. The Ninth New Jersey are barracked there. Most of the best houses, as are those in New Berne and Beaufort, are confiscated and used for officers and some times soldiers quarters. Just as we came up to the wharf, the
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guard had arrested a man, calling himself a "Union citizen," who had come down from Swansboro, some sixty miles up in the country. The officers, upon questioning him, concluded that he had better remain a while at Morehead, and the boys soon confiscated his boat after hear- ing the decision. Our pickets and other guard, are on the close look- out for such fellows, and they " bag " a good many of them.
By looking on the map you will see that Beaufort is situated on the point of land running out into the Bogue Sound. Upon the northern point of Bogue Island, and nearly opposite Shackleford banks, is situated Fort Macon. The channel is here very narrow and winding, which makes it difficult for any boat to come into harbor and so much the more difficult for one to run by the Fort. Fort Macon is very little like Fortress Monroe, and I could understand by visiting both of them the difference between a Fort and a Fortress much more readily and distinctly than by the dictionary definition. Most of the soldiers barracked there are Regulars. The day I went out they were target shooting, the target being an old vessel, about two and a half miles distant from the gun. They made some very fine shots. I hardly think a " secesh" vessel will ever pass in the day time and not feel the effects of a well directed cannon ball.
J. W. M.
HAMMOND HOSPITAL, BEAUFORT, N. C., October 15, 1862.
Friend Frank : Having been in the hospital for the past week, I have had little opportunity to see or hear anything that would be very interesting for your readers. I have had, though, a very good opportunity to study the nature and character of the native colored inhabitants, as many of them are waiters in the building, and there is not a barn or shed six by eight but is crowded with them till their heads hang out of the windows.
Last Thursday they held a prayer meeting in the wash-room. It is a good sized building and was well filled. There was really music in the hymns they sung. They have (both male and female) soft, sweet, musical voices. The air flats a little, and gives a peculiar accent and
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upward slide at the end of every line. This is a peculiarity I have noticed in all their songs, whether they be negro melodies or church tunes. They commenced their evening service by singing "Rock of Ages." Their minister, a colored brother, then made a short but able prayer ; another hymn was sung, and he began a short ex- tempore sermon. His text he selected from Jeremiah-" What will it Profit a man if he gaineth the whole world and lose his own soul." "My beloved breveren," said he, 'Jeremiah was one of thirteen broth- ers, and God took to him case he was always good. Well, one day they were all to work in a field, and Jeremiah was so tired that he went under a tree and lay down and went to sleep. While he was asleep, God come sailing down from heaven, changed into a dove, lit in the tree over Jeremiah's head, and woke him up saying the words of this text." After this explanation, he immediately commenced an exhortation that was full of life and energy, as the roused spirit of the congregation began to testify. The spirit was warmed and com- menced to move, and they continued the "good time," a long time after I had retired and fallen asleep.
A few evenings after this, I witnessed a gathering of quite a differ- ent character. Upon a large piazza in front of one of the houses opposite the hospital, a large number of negroes had collected, and they gave us quite a " select and amusing Ethiopian entertainment" -solos, quartettes, and choruses. Negro melodies entirely new to my ear, peculiar to themselves, with low, undulating, wailing choruses, sung in good time and with much effect. They closed the evening's performance with a general " break-down," and of all the grotesque, gymnastic, elastic movements that I ever witnessed, that capped the climax. They cannot be imitated with any degree of perfection. As Ole Jim made his last evolution, and sat down astride the banister, with a hearty " Yah ! Yah ! Sam you can't do dat last."-" Ah," says I, " George Christy, you are outdone, outshown ; your light is hid for a time until you practice more."
I can't like these colored people. They are slow, dirty and lazy. They are always happy, full of song and play. They have not the least education, nor do they wish to have-it is too much labor to study. They have a little natural wit, and if there is no work to be done, can aptly understand anything you tell them. They are some- what superstitious, a few of them religious, but they all are that
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same class of lowbred, nature-led, indolent human beings, and it is difficult for me to see how some of you philanthropic people north will ever (as you say can be done) make anything else of them.
The steamer United States came into Morehead City, Saturday. She came in to let off Gov. Stanley, who has been on a visit to President Lincoln. She was loaded with troops for Port Royal. Three new regiments are expected at New Berne. Present prospects seem to indicate that we shall have some fighting to do this winter. It looks as if an advance would be made on Goldsboro' and Rolla. I cannot see any necessity for as many troops as are already here, and as rein- forcements are constantly arriving, I think it a safe conclusion to say that we shall have the pleasure of seeing active service before long.
Captain Lee is gaining now quite rapidly. He will soon return to duty, and you may expect we shall have work to do.
J. W. M.
NEWPORT BARRACKS, N. C., October 25, 1862.
Interesting matter is scarce. In fact, unusual experiences, par- ticularly in the battle line, are something we have not yet met with, nor do we expect to do so for some time to come. Our hard- est battles are with chills and fevers and other local diseases. We are coming out victorious, as we have now but three men in the hospital (Charles Homan, Perry ; W. E. Chapin, Arcade, poisoned ; E. T. M. Hurlburt, Warsaw, chills and fever, none of them seri- ously ill), and those in camp come out to drill with an earnestness and activity that shows an increasing health and strength "Jack Frost " paid his addresses for the first time night before last. It would be preferable if he would just send in his card, and not come upon one so suddenly, giving one no time to make prepara- tions to resist his "stinging " gripe. It was so cold, that long be- fore morning came many of the boys went out to the guard's camp fire and sat around that, so that they might be warm.
Next day our lieutenant made requisition for stoves, and our tents are now a cozy little dwelling place, furnished generally with home-made bunks, writing table, cupboard and a Sibley tent stove. These stoves resemble an old-fashioned engine smoke stack, of in-
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ferior proportions, turned upside down, and only faulty in one respect, and that is the limited accommodations for cooking. Every mess has considerable of that to do, the day being spent in drill, cooking and dish washing, allowing a small space of time for read- ing and writing. Provisions are high, as the following prices will show : Butter, 40c. ; cheese, 25c. ; apples, 30c. a dozen ; milk, 6c. per pint ; brown sugar, 20c. ; flour, 7c. Sweet potatoes are our substan- tial food. We can purchase them at from 50c. to 60c. per bushel.
The "Signal Corps" have been making their head quarters in our camp for a few days. They are making a line of signal staffs from New Berne to Beaufort. This is deemed quite necessary, as there is no telegraph wire upon the railroad. These staffs are placed within five or six miles of each other and communication carried on with flags. Oftentimes the flags are only visible through a spy-glass. On some accounts these are preferable to telegraph wire, since a guard can be stationed at each one of them, and there are no wires to be cut. The whole line has been surveyed, and men will soon be engaged in putting up the poles. There is a good deal of activity on the railroad just now. Extra trains, loaded with provisions and stores, are run- ning every day, seeming to indicate that there will be a change some- where before long. We expect to receive orders to move in the course of two or three weeks. I should not at all wonder if an active campaign were carried on in North Carolina this winter.
To-day Lieutenant George Hastings arrived with a number of new recruits, having taken a "tug " at Hatteras and come up the Neuse to New Berne. The remainder of his party went on to Beaufort in the steamer.
J. W. M
NEWPORT BARRACKS, N. C., November 25, 1862.
Our commissioned officers are kind, gentlemanly and even for- bearing to us privates, though for all that they hold us up none the less strictly to military rules and regulations. They are good, moral, temperate men, and waste no time in idleness. Not one of them either would, from personal antipathy or dislike, refuse to any one under his command all the liberties allowed them, or in sickness refuse to do anything in his power to relieve or aid them.
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Old feuds are fast dying out, and it is very seldom now that you even hear them mentioned.
There is no dissension concerning officers. I really wonder at the unanimity of feeling that prevailed, as the two companies, one having been a year in service and the other raw recruits, came together and divided up the non-commissioned offices. There was wonderfully lit- tle dissatisfaction expressed-hardly any-at the order making the division and appointing the officers of the company, as I gave you in my letter of November 11.
We are neither becoming dissipated, lazy or slovenly. "Camp life develops the bad qualities of bad men, but, on the other hand, it is favorable to the highest exhibition of virtue, of gentleness and of heroism." So says one of the popular authorities of the day, and such in my little experience in that kind of life I find to be true. Drunk- enness is a thing almost unknown among us. I never have seen but three men since I have been here that were under the influence of liquor. We cannot very well be idle, as we have five hours' drill per day, beside police duty ; and just now Lieutenant Cady, with gangs of men selected from the company, has two sawmills in operation ; one upright saw with water power, and one circular saw with steam power.
As for slovenness, I am certain any "committee of housekeepers," upon an examination of our tents, would return a report of "well done for boys" To conclude this subject, I would say, that in con- versation with all of the boys, I find them contented and well satisfied with their officers and their associates, and I do not think you could persuade one of them to accept a discharge from the service, unless the war had ended and there was a prospect of peace.
As the winter approaches there is no necessity for our anxious mothers and kind fathers to have any anxiety concerning our being comfortable and warm. Our tents are tight and water-proof. Most. of us have taken boards from four-and-a-half to five-and-a-half feet in length, pointed them, and driven them about a foot in the ground in a circle around the tent. We then raised the canvas to the top of the boards, already battened and banked up. This makes the tent very warm and roomy. In ours we built a fireplace. And in the evening the blaze of the pitch-pine lightens as cheerful and happy a picture as any would care to look upon. In fact, I am a little ashamed to own
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that we are so comfortable. It hasn't the smack of hardship, &c., that we expected and rather desired to experience. It hasn't the dash and the wildness about it that younger persons consider necessary to fill out their idea of a soldier's life.
J. W. M.
NEWPORT BARRACKS, N. C., November 28, 1862.
Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day. The day previous, our detach- ment worked hard in the woods all day chopping logs and floating them down the river to the sawmill. On account of a lack of pork and beef in the commissary department, we fared, while at work, upon " hard-tack " and coffee. As a consequence, we had appetites on Thanksgiving Day that a poor dyspeptic might well envy. The following was the dinner programme:
SOUPS.
Fresh Beef.
MEATS.
Chicken.
Fresh Beef, boiled.
Fresh Pork, fried.
Chickens, stewed. VEGETABLES. Sweet Potatoes, boiled and fried. Onions, boiled and buttered. Turnips, boiled.
EXTRAS.
Coffee.
Fresh Bread. Tea.
Crackers. Molasses.
· Sugar.
Butter.
Salt.
Pepper.
Pancakes and honey. Pitch Pine Gum.
DESSERT. Sweet Potato Pie. Apples.
If you can beat that " bill of fare," and have an appetite correspond- ing with it, I'll " cave." All I have to say, to explain the reason for such an abundance of chicken and honey is, that the evening previous a half dozen from our detachment passed guard in and out without any countersign, except the presentation of a couple of chickens to the guard as they passed in.
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Passes were allowed to be given by the sergeants at their own dis- cretion. After dinner the whole camp was nearly deserted. Toward six o'clock stragglers marched into camp with chickens, pork, beef, honey, &c., at shoulder arms. It was very fortunate, as the quarter- master's stores are just now at a low ebb.
After evening roll-call, the Massachusetts boys invited us all to come up to the building formerly used as a hospital, and have a dance. The hall was decorated with flags, knapsacks, accoutrements, &c., and splendidly lighted with three long tallow candles. The dazzle of gilt, of "straps " and "stripes," was indeed a gay sight. The music was furnished by Ferguson's band. Order was called by the tap of the fiddle bow on the back of the fiddle. Two sets were formed ; the head of the room taken by the major. Order and decorum were preserved throughout. The "ladies " received the most obsequious and constant attention. Gallantry, not of the cox- comb order, was the order of the evening. All went "merry as & marriage bell," till the bugle sounded the taps about eleven o'clock, when all quietly dispersed.
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CHAPTER VI.
KINSTON, GOLDSBORO' AND WHITEHALL.
On the 11th of December, General Foster, then com- manding the department of North Carolina, .gathered together his available troops and made an advance from New Berne towards Goldsboro'. General G. W. Smith had been placed in command of the Confederate troops in the same department. They were supposed to number about 12,000. The main object of General Foster was to reach Goldsboro' and destroy the railroads centering at that point. This place was then on the main line of communication from Richmond, south. General Foster's force consisted of between 10,000 and 15,000 men, com- posed of four brigades ; the right commanded by General Wessels, the left by Colonel Lee ; right centre by Col. Amory, the left centre by Col. Stevenson. In the centre, unattached to brigades, were Captain Ransom's and Capt. Lee's Batteries; one battery of the Third New York Regiment Artillery, and two sections of heavy guns-one of 32-pound howitzers and one of 20-pound Parrot guns. The first and third detachments of the Twenty-fourth New York Battery were all that participated in the march. Many men from the other detachments filled the vacan- cies that occurred from sickness, &c.
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Thursday, the 11th, the force marched about fifteen miles.
On Friday, the advance was slow, on account of meet- ing with fallen trees that the rebels had placed in the roads, and with burned bridges which they had fired as they retreated. There was skirmishing throughout the day, but no regular engagement occurred.
On Saturday, the section of the Twenty-fourth New York Battery, with the Forty-sixth Massachusetts Regi- ment for a support, separated from the main body, and took, per order, the more direct road to Kinston. They were sent to guard some point of cross roads, which they reached at about twelve o'clock that night.
Sunday morning, the Forty-sixth Regiment and the third detachment returned by a short road to the main body, and a company of the Third New York Cavalry was sent over and joined the first detachment of the Battery.
The third detachment was sent in another direction, to guard a bridge at which there had been some skirmish- ing the day previous.
The first detachment continued its march, and about ten o'clock, as they approached a small creek, they discovered about 1,000 rebel infantry and a detachment of artillery, prepared to dispute the pass. The cavalry dismounted, deployed, and, with their carbines, acted as a support to the Battery. Our boys then opened on them with shell. After about an hour's fighting the enemy retreated, taking with them their killed and wounded. After they were positive that the enemy had gone, the Federals rebuilt the bridge that had been burned, crossed it, and arrived at Kinston at four o'clock. This was their part of the battle of Kinston. .
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The battle by the main body was fought on another road-the enemy gradually falling back, until they came to the bridge, at which time the Ninth New Jersey charged and took two brass guns. While crossing a bridge, Colonel Gray, of the Ninety-sixth New York, was instantly killed by a musket ball, which struck him in the breast. and passed through his heart. The rebels attempted to fire the bridge, but failed. Six guns were taken by a company of our cavalry on the other side of the river. That night the whole army entered Kinston. Through the main street a pile of cotton, reaching nearly a quarter of a mile, was burning. Many other things the rebels had set fire to, and the inhabitants had almost entirely deserted the place. Some of our soldiers went to the extreme in plundering the houses and stores.
Monday, the army recrossed the bridge at Kinston, which was a very long one. After they had all passed over, the bridge was burned. They then pressed on towards Goldsboro', making a march of about fifteen miles that day.
Tuesday, a sharp and brisk fight occurred near White- hall: Our boys were under fire nearly three hours. Finally the rebels retreated, and our army destroyed two new gunboats which were in process of building.
Wednesday, they advanced to the bridge at Goldsboro'. Here quite a severe action took place. Many were killed and wounded on both sides. The United States troops succeeded in burning the railroad bridge and tear- ing up about five miles of the track. General Foster learned that the Confederates had concentrated a superior force at Goldsboro', and determined that it was unwise
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to make any further advance. The next morning, there- fore, the line of march faced homewards, and a rapid re- treat was made to New Berne.
They reached that place on the 24th, having been about ten days and marched about two hundred miles. The Federals lost 90 killed and 478 wounded. The Con- federates lost 71 killed, 268 wounded and 476 prisoners, most of whom were immediately paroled.
The following order was afterwards read to the troops in General Foster's command :
. HEAD-QUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, NEW BERNE, January 15, 1863. S
[General Order No. 18.]
In consideration of, and as a reward for, their brave deeds at Kins- ton, Whitehall and Goldsboro', the Commanding General directs that the regiments and batteries which accompanied the expedition to Goldsboro' inscribe on their banners those three victories-
Kinston, December 14th, 1862.
Whitehall, 16th, “
Goldsboro', 17th, «
The Commanding General hopes that the future fields may be so fought that the record of them may be kept by inscription on the banners of the regiments engaged.
By command of Major General J. G. Foster.
SOUTHARD HOFFMAN,
Asst. Adjt. General.
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