1862 March 14 Newbern, N.C.

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

Thursday
March 13
Came to anchor last night, as near
as I could estimate, about twelve
miles from Newbern. This morning
the troops commenced landing and
the gunboats moved up and commenced
shelling a battery on the shore. We got
on our things and waited to be landed
all the forenoon. My things weighed 35
pounds gun included. We landed and
marched ahead awhile, when I with
fifteen others was detailed to help draw
cannon. It was very muddy and hard work
When we were relieved George Lowe and
I went along to catch up with our regiment
I carried an umbrella which I picked up,
part of the way. It rained almost all the
way. We caught up just at dark, as the
regiment was encamping in the woods.
We are almost tired out. We passed through
an intrenchment which the rebels had
evacuated.

MSS 11293