CHAPTER II.
History of the Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia—Nine Months’ Service in North Carolina, 1862-3.
This Regiment was, in fact, what its name represents, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia; not one drafted man was in its ranks. It was made up almost entirely of men from Bristol and Plymouth counties; young men who were raised in good homes and educated in the schools of Massachusetts. Quite a number were attending either high schools, seminaries, or colleges, or were graduates of the same. When the call was made for three hundred thousand men they left home, not for what they would get, but for what they would save; they went not for pay, but from principle; they went not because they were spoiling for a fight, but to save the country which they believed would be spoiled should they stay at home. It should be remembered that at this time there was no large bounties paid to recruits; indeed, few towns paid but a small bounty, and many towns paid no bounty to induce men to go to war; therefore, those who enlisted in 1862 enlisted from patriotic principles.
It is fair to say that the Third Regiment was composed of as good men as ever shouldered a musket or wore a sword. Many of the officers had seen service in the three months’ regiments and in the State militia, and therefore were the better prepared to do efficient service in the nine months’ campaign. Both officers and men were loyal soldiers, true patriots, ever ready to serve their country and defend Old Glory. So far as known each officer and private always responded to orders, and faithfully performed the duties confided to him, whether pleasant and easy, or hazardous and hard. Each went when and where ordered, and did his duties without grumbling or “showing the white feather.” If at any time one was afraid he had the good sense to keep it to himself. If any one felt that he was selected to fill a position of unusual danger, he was wise enough to keep his own counsel, do his duty to the best of his ability, and acquit himself like a man.
This regiment was recruited in the months of August and September, 1862, and as soon as each company was filled it went into Camp Joe Hooker. This camp, situated in the town of Lakeville, some three miles south of the village of Middleboro, occupied a large field near a beautiful pond, which was accessible to all who wished to enjoy the luxury of a daily bath. The camp was ample for forty companies to drill at one time. Here the companies were drilled in the setting-up drill, company movements, and practical guard duty. On the 23d of September the companies were mustered into the United States service by a regular army officer, and soon after were furloughed for one week, that they might visit their friends before going to the front. All but two men returned within the time of their furlough, one of whom deserted the service; the other was returned by the provost guard after the regiment reached Newbern, N. C.
October 22d the regiment left Camp Joe Hooker and marched to the Lakeville depot, where they took cars for Boston. Marching to Long Wharf the right wing embarked on the steam transport Merrimac, and the left on the steamer Mississippi, for Newbern. Each of these steamers had on board one other full regiment, so that each steamer was taking out fifteen hundred men. One has only to imagine the crowded condition of the ships, when nearly the whole number were on deck at the same time, yet during the voyage there were no rows, no curse words, and no swaggering braggadocio. The sail down Boston Bay and around Cape Cod was anything but agreeable; many of the boys unwillingly paid their respects to Old Neptune. The remainder of the voyage was over a sea as smooth as a mill pond.
Captain Baxter, of Hyannis, captain of the Merrimac, was the right man for the place he occupied. A born commander, he easily controlled not only his own officers and crew, but all on shipboard. There was no want that he could not supply. Was there contention as to which companies should first be served with cooked rations? He could determine to the satisfaction of all. Was there a clamor for fresh water? He would say, “Boys, I am condensing sixteen hundred gallons of water for you every twenty-four hours, and here you are shouting as if you were in an old-fashioned Methodist meeting,” and the boys would answer, “Yes, captain, but the water is too hot to drink,” and he would reply, “I have on board fourteen hundred barrels of pure Cochituate water, which I brought for you, call one of your officers and break out as much as you please.” Then taking his violin he would play and sing some home song which would pacify every discordant element and make everyone feel happy.
Early on the morning of October 22d the shores of North Carolina were seen like a cloud rising from the ocean, and Captain Baxter remarked, “There is the land I expected to make at six o’clock this morning.” When within three miles of Beaufort harbor we encountered a strong southeast gale and it was with difficulty that the pilot boarded our ship. As it was his boat was smashed into pieces. When entering the harbor we were shown Fort Macon, which General Burnside in his early campaign had taken, and which Federal troops now occupied. At Morehead City we embarked on flat open cars for Newbern, and were shown the early battle grounds where General Burnside contested his right to enter and hold Newbern.