Saturday, and of course general cleaning day. So many went into the river before breakfast, and soon found it to be the worst thing possible for us, and expected fever and ague every day till we forgot the circumstance. We had a scare and then a little fun early this morning. Some humorous fellows had fired our nice houses, and fully half the huts in the line were in a blaze; but, instead of trying to stop it, as fast as the boys were smothered out and came to their senses, they "put in a hand," and piled on all the boards they could find. Soon nothing was left of Camp Foster but ashes. Col. L ..read more

At four o'clock this morning "all was wrong." We were aroused from the most miserable attempt at sleep our boys ever dreamed of trying. It was a mercy to awaken us; only we were so stiff, sore, cold, and hungry, that it was most impossible to get up at all. We were covered with dirt and frost. Our guns were in fearful condition, and we were ordered to clean them and be ready for the road in half an hour. That was good; no chance to eat anything or clean up ourselves; but such is the luck of war. At six A.M. we started on our second day's tramp. Had you asked any of the company, they would have ..read more

We started early this morning, steadily tramping till a little after noon, when we entered the town of Hamilton, the rebs leaving as our advance went in. Here we made a long halt, as the men were sore, sick, and lame, as well as tired and hungry. Surgeon Ware made an examination here, and as it was as far as the transports could be with us, he decided to send back what men had succumbed. Our company had two. The unfortunates were put aboard a miserable tub of a boat, with about two hundred sick men on her, and sleeping room for about fifty; but after nearly five days on the crowded, ill-ventil ..read more

This morning the ground was covered with snow, adding to the beauties of the marching, which was soon commenced, and continued to Williamston. Here the boys stayed until Sunday, waiting to recruit their strength, and, it was said, to meet transports, but none came; so they started again, and Sunday night encamped a few miles from Plymouth. Monday they embarked on the "Geo. Collins," bound for New Berne. 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. 20 ..read more

The camp at New Berne was aroused by the long-roll, by an attack at the bridge, where the pickets are posted. All our guard were called out. Two men of the 24th M. V. were killed. The affair was short, but disturbed the camp for the rest of the night. Our barracks are all done, and we will occupy them as soon as the regiment gets 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. 20 ..read more

ARRIVAL HOME AGAIN. By the loud cheering and blowing off of steam in the direction of New Berne, we knew the boys had arrived. The regiment reached camp about noon, and a dirtier, more used-up set of men we never saw. Our friends at home would hardly recognize us as the same party who three short weeks before were parading at Readville. But we are now "vets," of one fight "Rawle's Mill," which we are bound to carry, and as we cannot get it on our flag, the smokers have engraved it on their pipes. We occupied our barracks to-day. They are new and roomy, but built of green lumber, consequently w ..read more

To-day we were inspected by Gen. Foster, an all-day duty, as we were on our feet from early morning till late in the afternoon. The most important feature of the inspection (to one at least of the company) was the presentation to him of his shattered gun by Gen. Foster, with the permission to "Send it home as a present from your general.” It was a relic second to 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, p. 21 ..read more

Nephew of James Mercer Garnett (q. v.), and Robert Selden Garnett (q. v.); born in Virginia, in 1819; graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1841. He entered the army as second lieutenant, and served in the Florida war, and subsequently in the west. He was made first lieutenant in 1847, and later captain. He aided in quelling the Kansas disturbances in 1856-57; was engaged in the Utah expedition. He entered the Confederate service as major of artillery in 1861, and was promoted to brigadier-general the same year. He served in the Shenandoah Valley under Jackson, and at ..read more

Son of Robert Selden Garnett (q. v.), born in Essex county, Virginia; graduated from United States Military Academy, in 1841, as second lieutenant of artillery, and was an instructor there till October, 1844. In 1845 he went to Mexico as aide to Gen. Wool, and served with distinction at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; and was aide to Gen. Taylor at Monterey and Buena Vista. As captain, he was again an instructor at West Point in 1852-54. Promoted to major he served on the western frontier. He was on leave of absence in Europe when the civil war broke out. Returning, he resigned, wa ..read more

NEW YORK, [N. Y.], June 23, 1855. MY DEAR SIR: Desirous of urging, most strongly, upon you the necessity of your coming to New York to participate in the celebration of the Anniversary of the Young Men's Democratic Club I cannot but write you again upon this subject, having addressed you some days since from Baltimore. This celebration is one of much importance at this time, and if successful will have much weight upon the results of the coming campaign in our state. A campaign that must decide the position of New York in 56, whether she will stand among her Sister States, supporting the time ..read more