April 13th Company D was sent on an expedition by steamer, forty miles down the Neuse River, to explore the opposite shore. On leaving, General Foster said, “I want you to go down the river on a pleasure trip; it may be, however, that you will find other than pleasure somewhere.” The company obeyed orders, but finding no rebels, it returned the following night.
April 16th the Third Regiment received orders to march with a column under General Prince to Core Creek, where it remained six days, and was engaged in several skirmishes with the enemy. It was this movement combined with another column on the opposite side of the Neuse River, which caused the rebels to evacuate their positions in front of Washington, North Carolina, thereby relieving the Forty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia from their uncomfortable position.
May 11th four companies were detailed for picket duty at Deep Gully, where they remained ten days.
May 23d orders were received at eight P. M. to march immediately to a certain point near Batchelder’s Creek, and await orders. Arriving at the point indicated they rested on arms. This hurried movement was made in consequence of our pickets being driven in, and Colonel Jones, commander of the Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania, being killed during the engagement. The enemy having retired during the night, the regiment was ordered back to Newbern. This march was made through the dust six inches deep, and with the thermometer one hundred and ten degrees in the shade. We arrived in Newbern at twelve o’clock, a tired, besmeared, dust covered lot of soldiers.
May 31st four companies marched to Deep Gully for picket duty, but being relieved by a detachment from Lee’s brigade, they returned to Newbern the same evening.
Newbern was twice threatened with assault, apparently for the purpose of retaking the city. The first occurred on the evening of Nov. 11, 1862, while the main army was absent on a reconnoitring march to Tarboro, in the northern part of the state, leaving the Third almost alone in the defence of the city. The regiment was under arms all night, and re-enforcements were brought up from Newport. The alarm was caused by a fierce attack made upon the pickets at Deep Gully, a few miles out on the Trent road, one man being killed and several wounded. The regiments that had been absent for nearly two weeks were now returning and the rebels withdrew the following day.
The second assault was made on March 14, 1863, operating from different directions; one by the way of the Trent road, the other approaching from across the Neuse River. The latter division was vigorously handled by the garrison at Fort Anderson, on the north bank of the river, and by gunboats, and finally repulsed. Many shells were thrown into the city, some of which tore up the ground occupied by the Third Regiment but a little time before as their camp. A flag of truce was sent asking the surrender of the city, but General Foster’s answer was, “If you want Newbern, come and take it.” These assaults seemed to be more like “feelers” of the Union strength than any serious menace to Newbern.
Various places were garrisoned and much picket duty done by the Third Regiment, besides the services already mentioned, which proved the fidelity of both officers and men, and the readiness of the regiment to measure up at all times to the trusts committed to its keeping.
Being ordered to Boston, Mass., the regiment left Newbern June 11, 1863. As they marched from their camp to the place of taking train and boat, they were escorted by the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New York Volunteers, preceded by the band of the Forty-ninth Massachusetts Regiment, General Foster and Colonel Jourdan honoring the column by a standing review. The Forty-fifth and Forty-first Massachusetts Regiments were in line on the other side of the Trent River, and cheered us with music and voice on our homeward journey. Seven companies went by rail to Morehead and embarked on the steamer S. R. Spaulding. Three companies with the sick went on board the steamer Tillie, at Newbern, and sailed by the way of Roanoake Sound. The voyage for the most part was rough and most of the officers were seasick until we rounded the shores of Cape Cod, when the sea became smooth, and new life was imparted to all.
Landing in Boston we received a very enthusiastic reception by her citizens and were escorted to the Common by the Forty-fourth Massachusetts Rifle Club. The Governor being absent, Adjutant-General Schouler reviewed the column from the State House steps, after which the regiment marched to Beach Street barracks and partook of a collation. At one P. M. the regiment took the cars for Camp Joe Hooker, but being furloughed on the train and ordered to report in camp on the 22d, each man turned his face toward the old home and the dear ones he had left there when he went to serve his country.