1863 to 29 MAR |
About this hour we resumed our line of march and halted nine
miles from the town at daylight next morning. In this position
we remained until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when the line of
march was again taken up and continued day and night, with
occasional short rests, until the 17th, on which date we went
into camp near the town of Greenville. On the 18th we were again
on the march and arrived at Tranter's Creek, about eight miles
from Washington, on the 19th, remaining here for a day or two
we returned to our camp near Greenville on or about the 23d.
Resting there, we received orders on the 28th to be ready to move
in one hour. Marching on this day, we reached a point on the
Pamlico river, seven miles below the town of Washington, on
Sunday, March 29th. Here we erected a heavy earthwork on a bluff
on the river bank and called it Fort Hill in honor of General
D.H. Hill, who commanded the expedition. The Federal troops occupying the town of Washington were reported to be running short of both ammunition and rations, and Fort Hill was erected for the purpose of commanding the river and preventing communication between the transports and gunboats in the river below and the garrison of the town. Our battery was composed of guns of light calibre, all field pieces and not able to cope with the gunboats in the river below, which gave the fort heavy shellings each day. They were suspicious of us, however, for occasionally two Whitworth guns would be sent down from the
battery near the town, and while they were in battery, we would
open on them at long range, and on several occasions inflicted
considerable damage. When these guns were withdrawn, the
gunboats would approach quite near and open on the fort without
eliciting any reply. This puzzled them, and they were timid and
would not venture the passage of the fort. |
1863 |
On 7 April, in obedience to orders, Colonel Marshall, with six companies of his regiment, moved at daylight to meet a force of the enemy, reported to be moving on our rear from New Bern. When about three miles from the fort the battalion was halted to await orders. Remaining until night, it was learned that the enemy had returned in the direction of New Bern and the command returned to the fort. |
1863 |
On the 10th the enemy advanced from New Bern in force by the
Blount's Mill road, and the regiment was moved out to meet them
and check the advance. Forming line of battle at Blount's Mill,
we awaited their attack, and after a skirmish of about two hours
duration they retired in flight, felling trees across the road
to retard pursuit. About the 13th or 14th the boats in the river
mustered courage to attempt the passage of the fort. Steaming
boldly up, one of them made a successful passage, as we had none
but the field guns in the battery, and although we fired upon her
repeatedly in her passing, the damage, if any, was of a trifling
nature. |
1863 |
The fort having failed eventually in accomplishing the object for which it had been constructed, was evacuated on the 15th and all the troops below drawn in nearer to the town. |
1863 |
On the 18th orders were received to move in the direction of
Kinston, via Hookerton, which latter place we reached on
the 19th, where we remained, awaiting orders until the 25th.
Captain Julian Gilliam, of Company C, having resigned 1 April, 1863, First Lieutenant George Gilliam was promoted to Captain and
Second Lieutenant John C. Warren to First Lieutenant. Lieutenant John Gatling had previously been promoted to Adjutant, and 1 November, 1862, to Captain and Acting Quartermaster. |
1863 to 14 MAY |
On the 25th the regiment marched to Kinston and remained there
until 2 May, when we took the train for Virginia, reaching
Taylorsville, near Hanover Junction, on the 14th and going into
camp. The regiment was divided for some time during our stay at
this point; three companies were held in camp, five were detached
for duty at the railroad bridge over the South Anna river on the
Central Railroad, engaged in building fortifications, and two
were doing picket duty at the Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad. When not engaged in building fortifications and doing picket
duty, the regiment was drilled daily, and it was in the finest
condition when we began our march to join the Army of Northern
Virginia. |
1863 to 10 JUN |
About 1 June Pettigrew's Brigade was assigned to duty in Major-General Harry Heth's Division of General A.P. Hill's Corps. On 6 June the brigade was ordered to proceed to Hamilton's Crossing, and we marched until late on Sunday evening, the 7th, when we were directed to strike the railroad and take the cars. Obeying this order, we were conveyed by rail the remainder of the distance and reached the Crossing at 4 o'clock Monday morning, the 8th. Upon arrival, we were placed in position on the Rappahannock river, about six miles below Fredericksburg, where we remained in line of battle until 10 June, when the regiment was ordered to proceed to Hanover Junction to relieve General Corse, of Pickett's Division. Reaching the railroad depot, we awaited transportation for several hours. Fortunately, before cars could be furnished the order was countermanded and the regiment directed to report to General Pettigrew, which was done on the same night, when we resumed our place in the line of
battle along the river. |
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