1862 February 8 [Roanoke Island]

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]

I was put on guard last night
for a couple of hours over an
outbuilding. Lay right down on some husks
laid on the ground but could not sleep
as it was wet and cold and raining.
This morning early we were roused by
firing of the pickets and were called
to arms. We immediately formed and
marched to battle. I ate some bread and
meat while marching along. the twenty
fifth went ahead, throwing out skirmishers
right and left of the road and when
the firing commenced, we formed in
line of battle, pushing our way through
teh brambles and vines in the swamp
and water up to our knees. We fired and
advanced boldly as if we were target shoot-
ing, and kept it up till about noon. when we
were ordered to march in retreat as our
ammunition was exhausted and the twenty
first Mass. was ordered up in our place
we then moved round to the right and
lay down on the ground, where we lay
for some time, the bullets meantime whistling
over our heads, as I lay there on the wet
ground I sent up a silent prayer to god
to watch over us and protect us, and I
also during the time I was in the battle, con-
tinually sent up my thoughts to Him to be
with me, and blessed be His name I came
out of the battle safe and sound. The New
York Zouaves charged on the masked battery
and finished up the work which we
commenced. We then were formed and
marched down through the fort, where
we saw the dead lying and then marched
along several miles. when we were met
by Gen. Foster, who told us we had taken
about twenty five hundred of the rebels
and that we were masters of the island
as the fort were all surrendered. We also
learned that a son of Gov Wise was wounded
and taken prisoner, and our company was
detailed to go round to the point of the
island and we went round till about eight
o'clock, when we marched into the barracks
lately occupied by the rebels. We were com-
pletely drenched and tired out, but I changed
my socks for dry ones, and lay down with
my overcoat over me on the floor. I slept
till about one o'clock, and then got up and
partly dried my clothes, and found a Knap-
sack containing a miniature and some other
things, which I took possession of. the
picture was of a rebel soldier, in a
handsome pearl case.

MSS 11293