April fool's day; but we have had no time to celebrate, for early in the
day we were orderd to build a traverse. There has been cannonading all the
afternoon between the gunboats and the battery down the river.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 45
We worked all night on the traverse, which now looks like something; but
it will take most of another day to finish it. Firing commenced about eight
o'clock this morning, and has been continued at intervals all day. At four
o'clock in the afternoon a detail of fifteen men from "E," with
spades and guns, were sent across the river, towards the ground where
"A" and "G" had their skirmish. Three of us were sent out
on the road as picket, while the rest built a breastwork across the road, not
far from the bridge. The country here is about all swamp. As we face up the
road, on our right the river makes in close to us; in front is a creek about
twelve feet wide, and on our left the swamp—said to be impassable. Beyond the
creek, about an eighth of a mile up the road, we could see the rebel picket
quietly smoking a pipe; so we did the same, but were soon disturbed by Gen.
Potter, who came up and gave us orders not to expose ourselves to their sight,
after which we lay down beside the road in the brush. We were relieved at dark
by three men of "I," who said they were here yesterday, and heard
from the rebel picket that the prisoners were doing well. Hobart was shot
through the lungs, Leonard lost an eye, and Lawrence's wound was slight. The
working party joined the company about seven o'clock.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 45
Companies "I" and "E" are to alternate in furnishing
what picket is needed across the river—about twenty men each day. Our party
went over this noon. We had been up since three o'clock this morning, and
manned the breastworks, but nothing came of it. The gunboats and Rodman's Point
had a duel, lasting till nearly five o'clock. As we went over the bridge at
noon we could see about two miles down the river, and all was peaceful—in
looks. The outposts being placed, the rest of us spent our time pitching quoits
with rings, which were found among the ruins of the old foundry (our camp), or
crawled into the ovens and slept till six o'clock in the evening. Then we left
camp: six on inside post, three on outside, and the balance at the breastwork.
We do not like being away from the company, but day after to-morrow others will
come over and we stay, changing work from picket to digging.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, pp. 45-6
Were relieved to-day about twelve o'clock by Company I, and moved to
camp, where everything is as usual. The company have been hard at work on the
trenches; and after resting a while, all turned out again, with spades as trumps,
and at it we went. The "Ceres" run the blockade last night without
being struck. The rebel batteries opened fire about dinner-time on Blockhouse
No. 3. We were ordered to the breastworks, and the fort replied, making a fine
noise for a little while.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 46
There is very little doubt but that we are surrounded and besieged. We
have come down to very small rations (small enough before) of pork and bread,
and no beef; and limited to half a dipper of coffee at a meal, while the work
is increasing, and hard work, too. This afternoon two companies of the 27th
went down the river to occupy a battery which the boats had silenced, but when
they arrived there they found it not so silent, and came back with the loss of
two men. Capt. Richardson made us a present to-day of some good tobacco, which
came acceptable enough, as we were about out. This has been a quiet day till
about four o'clock this afternoon, when the gunboats and rebel batteries at
Rodman's Point commenced firing; but we feel none of it up here.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 46
It is reported that Gen. Hill is a strong churchman, and will not fight on Sunday, which may be the reason we were not disturbed much yesterday. To-day we are still at work on our breastwork, sodding the top and leaving loopholes to fire through. We cut our sods from the fields on the edge of the town, conveying them to the works in carts and on poles with boards laid on them. It is a change from digging, so we accept it. Our cavalry vidette was fired on twice last night about ten o'clock.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 46
Yesterday, the outpost of the picket across the river, from our company,
had an excitement of a new character. Our corporal (Cartwright), who was at the
outpost, leaving his rifle, advanced up the road toward the rebel picket,
waving a handkerchief. He was met by a squad of rebels under the command of a
captain. Corpl. Jim gave himself up for Salisbury; but with his accustomed
nerve, was bound to face the music. He halted; and the captain, halting his
men, came forward, and the two sat on a log at the side of the road, talked
over matters and things, and separated with mutual good feelings. Corpl.
Cartwright heard from Hobart, who is not expected to live. Leonard and Lawrence
will soon be well. After this affair was over (the officer of the guard coming up
and finding the corporal gone), Cartwright had to make a personal call on Gen.
Foster, who, after reprimanding him for holding communication with the enemy,
against special orders (a fact of which Cartwright pleaded ignorance), he was
allowed to return to the company, where he concluded to remain for the present.
A negro came in to-day reporting (so goes the story) that the enemy have
30,000 men and forty pieces of artillery, and propose attacking us to-night or
to-morrow morning. They have kept up a heavy fire most of the forenoon on the
gunboats and Blockhouse No. 4. If that force is outside, and they propose to
come in, they probably won't be disappointed, as we have only a force of 1200
men, counting the negroes, besides the four gunboats, which carry about twenty-five
guns all told, and we shall have to go to Salisbury if we do not have reinforcements
soon. The Rodman Point battery has been firing most of the day, and a new
battery has just been opened in the swamp nearly opposite where the
"Louisiana" lies, but it was soon silenced. The boys at Blockhouse 4
are using the unexploded rebel shells.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, pp. 46-7
Aroused and ordered to the breastworks this morning at half-past three
o'clock, and as usual nothing happened. "Our squad" is on picket for
the next twenty-four hours, leaving camp at eight o'clock. The night relief
turn in at the old foundry, and will have nothing to do but sleep till six o'clock
in the evening. Some could not sleep. Tucker and Whitney left early, starting
for a scout down the river, coming back late, wet and hungry, and having seen
nothing. Allen and Pettingill started in another direction, and all they
reported was the finding of a lot of cord-wood.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 47
We had a rough time last night, Patten and myself being the outpost
victims. The water flooded the road knee-deep, wetting us through; but we knew
no one could crawl upon our post without being heard, on account of the
splashing they must make. We were bothered only twice during the night: once
when the corporal of the guard (Mason) waded to us, found we were awake, and
retreated in good order; and again as we sat on the old ammunition box, soaked
through, we were disturbed by something crawling over our feet. I struck at it
with my gun, but made no impression. We supposed it was a moccasin. We were
relieved about six o'clock this morning by Company I. Lieut. Johnson left us in
charge of Sergt. Parsons, and we started for the breastworks. As we neared the
fort, after leaving the town, we beheld a splendid sight, although it was an
awkward position for us. The rebels seemingly have perfected their
arrangements, for as we turned the brow of the hill they opened, and we had the
pleasure of witnessing the first cannonade on this side of the town, and as we
were directly behind the fort, we had a lively time in reaching the traverse.
We could see the men beckoning, but did not know why. After repeated dodgings
and rollings over, we reached the traverse, only to find it occupied by Company
A, in command of Lieut. Coffin, who ordered us to "Move on!" We
moved, although against our will, and at last found our own company, under a
new traverse, nearer the fort. The boys had taken possession, and were making
much sport at our mishaps in getting in. Millar's face was actually radiant; he
was one of the lucky ones in getting in first. As he was corporal of the guard,
we thought he should have stayed till the last, to see that we were all right,
but he probably thought the last should be first in this affair. The company
had had a hard time also, working nearly all night building the traverse with
the bomb-proof behind it. Our tent was gone, and all our things scattered, but,
after a deal of hunting, we found the remains, and proceeded to re-pitch. We
worked all day enlarging our traverse and finishing our bomb-proof. The day all
through was a hard one. Our captain must have felt flattered, it being his
birthday; and I don't believe he had a chance to count or think of his age on
account of the constant salutes from all directions. That is the reason,
probably, why Sergt. Parsons hurried us in this morning, that he might be on
hand to participate with Capt. Richardson in his celebration.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, pp. 47-8
Worked all night either on traverse or camp guard, or on "A's"
traverse, "A" and "E" helping each other on both. Dr. Ware
was buried to-day. He died yesterday of fever brought on by overwork. He was an
excellent surgeon, and highly esteemed by both officers and men. Gen. Potter's
orderly has been outside with a flag of truce; but we hear no particulars. The
flag-staff in the fort was struck several times to-day.
It is the rule to have a sentry at each end of the breastwork allotted to
"E." Last night, the guard on the bomb-proof heard a noise about
eleven o'clock, gave the alarm, and we were soon in line. We found the trouble
arose from some outside picket, who got lost, and brought up against our
breastworks. After some trouble, matters were arranged and we turned in again.
What the man was doing so close in we have not discovered. Our traverse, being
all done, will bear a slight description. Being on duty as picket the night it
was built, I view it with different feelings from what the boys do who worked
all night upon it, so can afford to write about it. It is at right angles with
the breastworks, thrown up to a height of about fifteen feet. It is fully sixty
feet long, about fifteen feet thick at the base, and six or seven feet at the
top. We utilized the hole made by building this hill, by covering it with a
strong roof, then covered that with sand a foot or two deep; and as the
Johnnies don't seem to use mortars, we feel tolerably safe, having a roof over
our heads, in case of a sudden flight of meteors. Rumors to-day that
reinforcements left New Berne last Wednesday, and we live in hopes that they
will reach us.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 48
The rebels are getting a good range on our fort, and as we are in a
direct line behind the fort from one of their batteries, we get what goes over
them. We had been walking around outside the traverse, — even Gen. Foster was
outside the fort, walking back and forth, probably thinking out the problem, when
about half-past nine o'clock we were brought to a realizing sense of our
situation, for they opened on us "right smart," driving us all to the
breastworks and bomb-proofs. One shell went through a tent, tearing up the
ground where Sherman had just been sitting. The wooden shanty occupied by
Sutton and Mann was demolished, and many others shaken up. We learn that the
rebels have been reinforced both below and higher up the "Tar,"
which sounds bad for us. All this forenoon the gunboats have been pitching into
the batteries at Rodman's. Another rumor is, that our extra clothes and
ammunition are aboard a schooner below. We need both.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 48-9
We heard pleasant music last night, it being heavy firing in the
direction of New Berne. It must be our reinforcements, whom we heard had been
turned back from Swift's Creek. The battery at "Widow Blunt's" shot
away our flag-pole, yesterday, but it was immediately repaired. "E's"
men were on picket across the river, last night, and had a lively time, the
outposts consisting of Clough and Robbins. The rebels posted a gun to bear
either on the gunboat or bridge, taking, in its course, our picket; and as soon
as the "Louisiana" commenced shelling, the road was a sad place for a
man who wanted to save his head. They got out of it all right, no one being
hurt. One of the shots from the gunboat struck the old chimney, knocking bricks
and mortar all over the reserve. Meanwhile the "Widow Blunt"
batteries were raining shot and shell at the fort, making it lively for the
homeguard.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 49
Heavy firing last night down the river, and about midnight an immense
amount of cheering. We were all called out, but found the cheering was on our
side. THE "ESCORT" (an unarmed steamer), HAD
RUN THE BLOCKADE AT RODMAN'S POINT, BRINGING UP THE 5TH RHODE ISLAND, COLONEL
SISSON, which practically ends the siege, as we can probably send or bring
vessels through the blockade any time. Robbins, Pierce, and myself have been
detailed in the fort to-day, building a bomb-proof for Gen. Foster, but the
fire from "Widow Blunt" was so lively we could do but little. We
received a mail in the mêlée, bringing about $25 to our mess, being the first
for several weeks it seems to us months. I immediately left my watch with a
jeweller in the 27th, who was in the fort, and who repaired it while under
fire. I now had the money to pay him, thanks to home folks. We have been so
hard up that a day or two since I tried for the first time to borrow a dollar
or two, asking even Capt. Richardson. When he showed me that his pocket-book
held only about two dollars, I gave it up. To-day I offered him some, when he
showed me a bill which came by the same mail as ours. I think the full
appreciation of the value of money will cling to us all, officers as well as
men, in all future time. Our change of clothes came to-day, but in an awful
condition.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 49
"Our squad" on picket again across the river. As we were on the
bridge this morning we saw the "Escort" steaming down the river,
bound for New Berne, having Gen. Foster on board. We have had a pleasant day,
but the water in the river is very high, consequently our camp and the road are
flooded. When the dinner of boiled rice came, it took an extra amount of
persuasion from the lieutenant of the guard, to make the man bring it to us,
but he finally concluded to, and then had to carry it to the outpost.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 49
When we arrived at the breastworks, this morning, we found "E"
had been at work again. Strangers were at our old bomb-proof, and we had to
hunt round some, but at last found the company had been assigned quarters
in a good looking two-story house, close to Grist's mansion, owned by a Mr.
Parmelee (probably no connection of the baker at the South End). Our things
were in a decidedly second-hand condition; in a pile under the front stairs.
But we find our quarters so much better than those we had at the breastworks,
that we do not complain. The house is badly shattered by shot and shell, one
having traversed the building from corner to corner, tearing floors and
plastering to pieces. To get these quarters we had to promise to be up, and at
the breastworks in three minutes. We took the chances, and promised, of course.
While we were on picket last night we heard noises, which were
unaccountable, and reported them, on which a few shells were thrown into the
swamp. At four o'clock this morning we heard the rebel drum beat for roll-call;
at five o'clock the bugle call for advance; so we suppose the rebels have
started. They came near to the creek, but it was so dark we could not make out
much. We saw a man on a white horse at the picket post, as a lantern was in a
position to throw a strong light on him. To-day Company I's picket advanced to the
old earthworks, where Hobart, Leonard and Lawrence were taken, and found
everybody gone from that side of the river. This forenoon, three companies,
“C,” "D" and "I" moved down the river to Hill's Point,
which they are to occupy for the present. The following is the last order from
Gen. Foster previous to his departure for New Berne:
HEAD-QUARTERS, WASHINGTON, N. C., April 14th,
1863.
The commanding general annou[n]ces to the
garrison of this town that he is about to leave for a brief time the gallant
soldiers and sailors of the garrison.
Brig. Gen. Potter will remain in command, and
in him the commanding general has the most perfect confidence as a brave and
able soldier.
(Signed)
JOHN G. FOSTER.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, pp. 49-50
We had pleasant orders to-day, no more picket across the river; only our
breastwork guard, and only two at a time at that. This afternoon a party of us
went to the river, by Grist's cotton store, and had a good swim, the first for
a long time for some of us.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 50
A jolly time last night; we tried to get up a good fire in our room and
succeeded. We came very near setting the house in a blaze. After burning out
the chimney and mantel-piece, we finally put it out, and the sergeant could not
find out who did it. Another mail to-day, and on the same steamer, a part of
the 43d. By our mail, we hear, some one wrote home that we had been in a severe
all-day fight, and were badly whipped, having sixteen Cambridge boys killed and
wounded. As there are only twenty-one Cambridge boys in the company, it would
leave a small margin for our friends to hope on; and the chances of the Boston,
Waltham and Watertown boys would have been small. Later news gave them a
different version, although it was bad enough. We were enjoying ourselves last
evening; even some of the sergeants were out on the river fishing for eels,
when we heard a shot; a change came over us. The captain said we were at the
breastworks inside of three minutes, where we lay down trying to get some sleep.
Soon Sergt. Parsons came along the line, and picking out ten or eleven of the
boys, started for Bl[o]ckhouse No. 1, where we were joined by an equal number
from Company B, 27th, and a negro volunteer. We cleared the breastworks, and
pushed to the woods. After a diligent search for an hour, we were called in. We
found that the cavalry picket had been fired on and wounded in the wrist.
Coming in, two of us were invited to supper with the blockhouse boys. We
accepted, of course, and as we were late in rejoining the company we got a
scolding for not returning at once, but, considering the great temptation, we
were let off easy. Capt. J. M. Richardson of "A" and our Lieut.
Newell have started for New Berne. Lieut. Newell is not very well. Capt. Richardson
of "A" is getting along fairly.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, pp. 50-1
One of the pleasantest days of the season; reminding us of the June
Sundays at home. We have nothing to do, and very little to write about. This
noon, while a party were on the roof of the house, we heard shouting down town,
and soon saw troops crossing the bridge. Knowing it was Gen. Foster and the
relief from New Berne, we tried to get away to see them, but the guard would
not let us go, so we had to stay at home.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 51
We had a brigade dress parade yesterday afternoon, and to-day are
cleaning up, preparing for embarking to-morrow.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 51
HOME AGAIN.
We started early this morning on the "George Collyer," bound
for New Berne, having on board, besides our regiment, a part of the 46th Mass.
Vols., and are towing a schooner with the three companies from Rodman's Point.
We were having a fine sail, when the orderly picked up four of us, and now we
are on guard below, away from all chance of seeing what is going on.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 51
