The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-04-17
Arn,p Correspondence.
COMPANY @, 10lst Regt, 7. Va,
NEwBERHN. c., March 18th 1868,

vs. NEwpERN N. c., March 18th 1868, 4
DEAR FRAxK:--s a A
AsI have a little leisure time Isuppoac
YOU would be glad to hear how ] am prospcring.
Probably very few, indeed, at home, care or
think Of the risks and privations Of q soldier.
The SEQ rolls between ls like the lapse Of dus-
ky ages We trusted ourselves to it and it
bore. US far away from friends md kindred, but
we hope not to be forgotten. - .s's
You hear gusty stories about tho army, as
falsehoods get every place before the truth. T.
die rumors and false reports should not disturb
our friends, for the truth will always come.
will endeavor to give you a few of the oc-
currences of this department within this month
On the morning Of the 17ths4 cur Regiment
received orders to march. We started out on
the expedition, and were marched to the river,
our Regiment embarking on the Great North
erner. The detachment consisted of the l0lst
and l03d z. v, and one company Of the Sd
New York Cavalry. This company Of Cavalry
had been out the week before and had fifteen
of their men killed and wounded. They had
to come back for reinforcements, and we were
the party sent. After we oil got on board, the
vessel put on steam and passed out Of the Neuse
River into the Palmico Sound, over which we
sailed like an ocean-bird distance Of IS miles.
On the morning Of the ninth, there were two
small boats run up along side of US, towing
barges, which we were told were to land us on
shore, which turned out to be Hyde County in
this State, After we had landed skirmishers
were thrown out and we took up ourline of march
to Swan Quarter Court House, distance Of two
miles, where we campcd until the nextd day at 2 o.
clock, TMsplace called town, because tits the
county seat, and has Court house and jail
The public buildings are about as big as one
of our country school houses The town COM
prises two dwelling houses two or three little
white offices, and the public buildings have
described, and is called Swan Quarter. At
one o'clock we were on the march again. We
marched out to Mattimuskett Lake, distance
of twelve miles, where we camped for the night
and the 103d p. ", and some of the cavalry
joined us, they coming around by another road.
On the next morning the whole column moved
off together, on what they call the Lake Shore
road. The distance around this lake is sixty
five miles. We marched around it, and back to
Swan Quarter, in two days and half in spite
of the enemy. 1t rained on us all the time,
which caused the mud to get very deep. This
is very rich country, and has the best planta-
tions have ever seen. The buildings are all
built in Northern style. aer
There is no army in this part regularly or.
ganized. 1t is only guerrilla band. When
force goes there, that they can't contend against
they hide in the swamps (where you can't get
at then) and fire on you. We took one hun
dred OF them prisoners, and captured O thou
sand dollars worth of cotton, about $500
worth of cured pork, $50 head Of horses, 20
yoke of oxen, a large lot of corn, 60 nice car
riages and buggies and great many other
things which are of use to the government, all
of which were turned over, after our return to
Newbern to the Provost Marshal.
On the 18th, as we were returning back to
this place, just before we left the Sound, we
heard a rumbling noise but could not under
stand what it was. There were no clouds, for
the storm of the preceding day, had passed of,
50 we thought it could not be thunder. Steam
was crowded on and as we approached the city
we found out it was cannonading, but could
not tell exactly where it was. Presently the
old boat run into the landing, when two or
three men jumped on board and told us New
bern was attacked. The two Regiments were
soon on shore, formed in line, and marched to
our camps, the cannonading still going on.
When we got to camp the guns were ordered
to be cmptied and cleaned and made ready in
moment for any emergency. The next MORN
ing walked out to learn the particulars when
l found that the enemy wax lying in force in
front of u.s. Their number was estimated at
so to 40 thousand strong. They advanced on
the place in four columns, one column on the
right bank Of the Neuse, another on the left,
the two Others on the right and left banks Of
the Trent River. They were supposed to have
Is to 20 large pieces Of artillery. There was
no infantry fighting at all. except a little skir-
mishing with the pckets. No one was killed
as could learn. They tried to she'll the town
but failed in doing it any harm, believe one
or two shells lit in the streets. The gun-boats
run up the Nehse and sheled them out. They
would have had "sweet time' getting in over
the Notifications of the city. They would have
been piled up SO thick that their friends would
never have distinguished them.r 81
Deserters that came in from their army, say
their orders were from jeff. Davis to take this
place. The deserters say a great many more
would leave if they could get away These
fellows are going into our army. They intend
to join the first North Carolina which lies here
in part. All is quiet again. ,..g
Yours &C.,