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
