Accept my regrets that your regiment was not in condition to remain (as regards equipments). The soldierly appearance and conduct of your officers have made a favorable impression, and I part with you with regret.
Very respectfully yours,
C. A. HECKMAN,
Brigadier-General Commanding First Brigade,
Nagle’s Division, Eighteenth Army Corps.
General Foster says, “The Third Regiment always obeys orders and performs all its duties promptly and without grumbling.” General Prince says, “The Third Massachusetts Regiment and its commander can be trusted with important duties with a certainty that they will be performed promptly and well.” Colonel Jourdan says, “The Third Regiment is always ready for duty.”
On January 28th the regiment moved to Camp Jourdan, near Fort Totten. This location was not a desirable one; neither was the ground in a condition for the dwelling place of men. It was considered a very unhealthy locality, but it was one of the most important points in the defences of Newbern. The first thing done was the removal of more than five hundred cords of the refuse from stables, dumped there. Many ditches were made, the camp graded and trees planted until the medical director pronounced it one of the cleanest, prettiest, and most healthy camps near Newbern, and he also made a report to that effect, complimenting the regimental commander and medical staff highly.
March 6th the regiment was ordered to go with General Prince’s division on an expedition into Jones and Onslow counties, where they remained five days. The Third with other troops under command of Colonel Richmond was twice detailed for important detached service, and received the thanks of General Prince for the able manner in which the duty was performed. Several hundred prisoners were taken and brought to Newbern. While the men were quite affable, the officers were very sullen and did not care to talk with “Yankee mudsills.”
In the attack at Deep Gully, March 14th, and also on Fort Anderson, on the opposite side of the Neuse, the Third were under marching orders until the next day at one P. M., and then went on a reconnoissance to Pollocksville, returning to camp on the evening of the 16th in the rain, with the mud more than a foot deep. So muddy were the roads that the regiment was eight hours marching ten miles.
On the 17th Companies A, B, K, and H were ordered to march to Deep Gully for picket duty, where they remained eight days. They were relieved by the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New York Regiment, and marched back to Newbern.
From April 2d on until the time of leaving this department (except when on expeditions), the Third Regiment furnished a detail of one hundred and fifty men daily for intrenchment work.
April 5th orders were received to march to Foster’s Wharf with three days’ rations. The regiment was there on time, expecting to go to Washington, N. C., but at six P. M., orders were received from General Foster to go back to camp.
April 7th at six P. M. orders were received to march immediately with three days’ rations, and the regiment proceeded to Foster’s Wharf, were transported across the Neuse River, and bivouacked for the night. The next day we joined a column commanded by General Spinola, and made a forced march to Blount’s Creek, rear of Washington, to attempt to break the siege and relieve General Foster, who was there at the time. At the point of attack it was found that the rebels occupied a strong position on a hill, the only approach being a narrow defile with heavy woods on either side. These conditions at the outset forbade hope of success. An engagement was made, the Third taking part in the movement, but they were met by so fierce a fire from the rebel batteries on the hill that it was thought expedient to retire. Captain Belger’s horse was shot under him, and he was severely wounded, yet as he passed Colonel Richmond he said, “Give it to them, Colonel, we’ll pay them off for this.” Later we were informed that the rebels, believing that the Yankees would play some Yankee trick on them, left their position from fear of a flank movement. Of one thing we were assured, the siege of Washington was raised, and General Foster returned to Newbern. This expedition was regarded as the most adventurous and exhausting of any in which the Third participated during its term of service. More than thirty miles were covered by a hurried march and the battle fought on the same day. So exhausted were the men that several had to be assisted to the place of bivouac for the night.