Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 16, 1863

When we were called to breakfast at seven this morning we found we were steaming down the river and just entering the Sound, After a pleasant sail, we arrived at the wharf at Little Washington about four P.M., and marched with colors flying and band playing, by Grist's, to the earthworks, where we busied ourselves in an entirely new occupation, — pitching our shelter-tents for the first time. It was done finally, and after a fashion of our own; and now we are trying to write, but are bothered, as the gas is poor.

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. 42

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 17, 1863

This morning while eating breakfast we were ordered to "Strike tents." We supposed it meant march, but found it was for symmetry, and we pitched them again in a more regular manner; having the privilege of messmates sleeping together, with the understanding that in case of being aroused in the night we will take our places in line with promptness and snap. After fixing up tents, several of us took a stroll down town, visiting the earthworks. The town is of little account; the earthworks interest us more. They consist of a line of breastworks, extending from the river below to the river above the town, two miles or more in length. At the centre of the line is a star fort of ten guns, and at about equal distances on the line are four blockhouses with one gun each. At the Greenville Road is stationed an old 32-pounder called "Aunt Sally," cracked and battered, and held to its carriage by ox-chains. They told us this gun was the key to the fortifications.

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. 42-3

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 18, 1863

Had a thunderstorm and gale this evening which nearly destroyed our camp, but the tents stood it as well as could be expected. We had a brigade dress-parade to-day, and had a good chance to see the troops stationed here. They consist of eight companies of the 27th M. V., two companies N. C. troops, one of cavalry, and one of artillery, with Col. Lee in command; in all about 1200 men. (Our colonel's report, 1863, to Adjt.-Gen. Schouler says the actual force was 1160 men). The parade was good, and after a dusty march, we found ourselves back in our tents again. We are wondering what we are sent here for. As yet we have seen no rebels, but watch the woods, supposing they are doing the same thing, waiting for 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. 43

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 19, 1863

It has commenced to rain again, and we are in a fine condition, everything both in and outside the camp is in a damp state, with the wind continually lifting one end or other of the tent; but we eat our three meals after a fashion, and then turn in and sleep what we can, waiting for events.

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. 43

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 20, 1863

One of the events came last night, or rather this morning at half-past four. "E" was ordered out and marched to the edge of the swamp, beyond Blockhouse No. 1, close to the river one side and the woods on the other, with water in front of us. It rained steadily, and we lay crouched against the wall of the building until it was too light for the rebels to surprise us; then we were faced about and marched to our tents. At noon we moved again. This time the change is for the better. We are down town in a deserted store. It was owned by a rebel; so we pulled down the counters and shelves, and soon had rousing fires. We don't know where the other companies are, but hope they have as good quarters as we are enjoying. We are told to expect an attack to-night, which expectancy is as common as "About this time look out for rain." Lieut. Newell told us to-day we might be in New Berne soon. A boat left to-day which took our mail. If it would only clear up, we had rather stay here than be at New Berne, as red tape, guard, &c., are of little account.

The captain delivered a tobacco ration to-day. The question is, "Did he buy or forage it?" We don't want him to get demoralized yet.

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. 43

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 21, 1863

Rained all night; we were ordered out at half-past four this morning, and remained under arms till the pickets were changed. We are detailed for picket to-night, so about all we intend to do to-day is to sleep.

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. 43

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 22, 1863

We had a regular old-fashioned rain last night for a change. At ten P.M., in the dark and storm, we started from town; marched about a mile and were posted around an old cart, a little way from the road. The company was divided, a squad taking the posts on each road, and two men sent to the rear on inside post. It was a hard night's duty, but came to an end at last, and at seven this morning we were relieved, and crawled back to town, finding our old store a palace.

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. 43

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 23, 1863

A steamer came up this morning bringing a sutler. We made another move to-day, going back to our old place under the breastworks in our shelter-tents. Everything is wet through and uncomfortable; but we acknowledge we are handier in case of trouble. It is rumored we are going North to guard prisoners, and that Capt. Richardson, of "A," goes to New Berne to-day. Another rumor is, we are going to Plymouth to have another trial at Rainbow Bluff, but we had rather stay here. This morning our captain distributed towels, soap, plates, and knives and forks to each man. How or where he found them we don't know, but would have saved him the trouble of purchasing, if he had mentioned where they were. A mail arrived to-day.

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. 44

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 25, 1863

Yesterday it rained most all day, and the drills Col. Lee had inaugurated Monday have not amounted to much as yet. We played cards, read, wrote letters, and slept; so the day worried out. To-day we have been firing at a target for a change. It was on a couple of bread-boxes, one on the top of the other, in the field immediately in front of our breastwork. The target was small, only two feet square, — but still a few hit it.

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. 44

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 26, 1863

No drills or excitement for two days, excepting a slight conflagration yesterday. Millar's tent caught fire and was destroyed; and last night many more were blown down by a high wind, with plenty of rain.

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. 44

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 30, 1863

SIEGE AT WASHINGTON.

It has rained nearly all this week, and until yesterday we have been loafing, trying to kill time. Last night our company was on picket again up the road towards Tarboro, coming in this morning about six o'clock. They had a most miserable time. Twitchell was sent to the hospital sick. A few of us were on guard here, so escaped picket duty.

Gen. Foster arrived here this morning, and by noon Companies A and G, under command of Capt. J. M. Richardson of "A," with one howitzer, were tramping across the bridge towards New Berne on a scout. Those who could went to the water's edge to watch them. They were soon in action, meeting a force of rebels who handled them severely. Finding quite a strong force protected by breastworks, they were ordered back, to give the "Louisiana" a chance to shell the woods. Capt. Richardson of "A" was wounded twice in the left arm.

They left Sergt. Hobart, Corp. Lawrence, and John Leonard of "G," who were taken prisoners. The rebels closed on them and carried them off. Several others were struck, but none seriously hurt. About every man at the head of the column was hit. Capt. Richardson was heard to say, "It is rough to go through what I have (five or six battles) without a scratch, and get hurt in this affair."

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. 44

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 31, 1863

Last night about seven o'clock, as we were standing behind the breastworks looking towards the woods, we were startled by a flash, and heard a heavy report. The fort had opened fire upon the woods, the scene of our picket duty. We were immediately under arms, and after a short march were halted at the edge of the town facing the fort. Here we stacked arms and waited. It rained all the evening, and the gun-boats kept up an incessant fire over our heads. We tried to sleep, but with little success. The house immediately behind us was full, so Robbins and myself crawled underneath for shelter. We awakened to find the regiment had moved. After diligent inquiry, and some walking, we found "E" in the Academy, where we passed the rest of the night. We left our quarters about noon, and moved to the breastworks at the left of the fort, where we heard that Gen. Hill had sent in a flag to the COLONEL IN COMMAND, demanding the surrender of the town. He must have been somewhat surprised to receive a reply from GEN. FOSTER, little thinking that he is here, and has no idea of giving up, at least on the first day.

Our breastwork is about five and one-half feet high inside, one foot thick on top, and from ten to twelve feet thick at the base, with a ditch outside. In front the wood is cut away for the distance of a mile. We pitched our shelter-tents close under the breastworks, leaving room to stand between them and the works, and things began to look home-like again. How long it will last remains for the rebels to say. We have built a house for our officers, by taking a roof from a shed in town, and making it water-proof, or hoping it will be so, and banking it up with dirt. Not a very handsome edifice, but better than none.

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. 44-5

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, February 25, 1863

A fine day, but a hard one for all. We were ordered out early, and marched across the city, over the long bridge, to the large plain, where we were reviewed by Gen. Foster. It was a splendid sight. About all that is left to Gen. Foster of the 18th Corps was on the field,—about 12,000 or 13,000 men, including cavalry and artillery, and was the largest body of men we ever saw together; but it was tiresome to us who did the marching, and we were glad to be in the old quarters again.

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. 40

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, February 28, 1863

For the last two days we have had no drill out of doors, and very little guard. It has rained steadily. The "Dudley Buck" arrived yesterday with a large mail, and a lot of boxes have also made their appearance. We were mustered for two months' pay this forenoon, and in the afternoon, between the showers, began one of a series of base-ball games between men of the 23d and ours; but the rain postponed it to the dim future. We find our barracks just the thing this weather, much better than tents, and thank our stars and the United States Government for them.

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. 40

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 3, 1863

Rain, and nothing but rain; only the cleanest companies relieved, and we caught it again, and some of us are checked as extra guard. And now for the first time our regiment is broken. Two companies, and "B," going yesterday on picket at Batchelder's Creek, a few miles out of New Berne, towards Kinston. We have been idle now quite a while, and think it most time to be moved. Some say we are going as provost guard down town, but all we can do is to wait and take what comes. Frank Learned has been appointed corporal in place of Ramsey, who joined the band.

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. 40-1

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 5, 1863

It has cleared up and is quite cold. We sent off a large mail this morning. Last night we came very near having our barracks destroyed. The funnel of one of the stoves dropped against the roof, igniting the boards, and as we had all turned in, it burned through the roof before it was discovered by a sentry. After burning a hole five feet square we mastered it, and turned in again.

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. 41

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 6, 1863

To be noted. Our company was declared the cleanest company! Consequently no guard for us to-morrow.

Notwithstanding our camp is quite sickly, we have had no cases till now. Whitney was taken down suddenly while on guard on the night of the 4th. He was quite sick for a few days, but is now better, and we hope will be all right soon.

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. 41

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 8, 1863

A little incident occurred yesterday, which is very gratifying to some of the boys, showing the confidence our captain places in their word, and what a narrow chance others of us had. Saturday is generally cleaning up day, and we understood there was to be no battalion drill. At noon Sergt. White notified us that there would be a drill at half-past one o'clock P.M. Three or four of us happened to be close to the cook-house door, and of course cleared out. Robbins was outside and out of hearing; we asked him to go with us, and he, being innocent of the order just promulgated, fell in. We put in no appearance till dress parade, but nothing was said till tattoo roll-call, when those who were absent were questioned. Robbins was the first victim, being nearer the right of the line than any of us. The question was, "Did you hear the order given by Sergt. White?"—" No, sir."—"Where were you?"—" Outside the building, sir." Which answers were satisfactory. When the captain came a little short of the centre of the company and found another victim, the brilliant idea struck the culprit to say, "I was with Robbins, sir." (So he was, afterwards.) Robbins corroborated this, and the captain, not happening to ask if the order was heard, passed; and one more was saved. It was a narrow escape, and perhaps the white part of the fib saved the guard-house a temporary boarder.

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. 41

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 13, 1863

There has been nothing worthy of mention since the last date, excepting the heavy rain, till last night, when we had an opera, "Il Recruitio," which was excellently rendered. Gen. Foster and lady, and other officers and their ladies, attended; the two barracks of "F" and "B" being filled from top to floor.

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. 41

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 14, 1863

We were expecting a gay time to-day, it being the first anniversary of the capture of New Berne. It was reported that besides a review we were to have various salutes and plenty of beer. We were awakened about five o'clock by a salute, and, although we growled at the early hour, started out to see the fun. We soon found the saluting was done with shotted guns. Belger and Morrison were posted on the river bank, firing as fast as they could. The old "Hunchback," using her 100-pounder, and a little farther down stream, the "Delaware" pegging away at the woods beyond the little fort where the 92d N.Y. Regiment was stationed, they firing also and the river alive with shot and shell from the rebels. We were immediately ordered out in "light marching order," and it looked as if our breakfast as well as our beer would get stale.

Rumors were plenty. About ten o'clock it was reported that we were going across the river to relieve the troops there, but stayed quietly where we were, hearing everything and seeing very little. By four P.M. everything was quiet, and the company returned to barracks. A mail was distributed, and the boys are busy answering letters, for the boat leaves in the morning.

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. 41-2