The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-06-24
Incidents in Camp Life-No. 2.

While in barracks ut Newbern, N. c., the time
passed by quietly, and we all had an opportunity to
recover health and strength after the fatigues and
defamation consequent upon the peninsular cam
paign of the previous year. AS the spring opened
rumors of movements on the part of the "rebs
spread from camp to camp, and we heard Of almost
daily skirmishes on our advanced picket line seven
miles away. That there was something OF interest
going on we were sure, and SO with redoubled
vigilance we watched for a general attnc&. At last
it came. One still night our camp was ronsed by
the long roll of the drum, and as we assembled on
the parade ground, the dull "thud' of far-OB-
artillery told of something more serious than q
90 picket skirmish."
Soon an order was received from general head
quarters directing that two companies be detached to
escort a section of light artillery ordered to the front.
1t so happened that the senior officer in the two
companies selected was First Lieutenant b., and as
he outranked the commandant Of the section Of ar
tillery, he was placed in command OF the whole.
The orders were that the force should 60 out on the
Washington road" and If not stopped, should
take position at a point known as Big Tree To
make ineligible TO the reader what followed, IL will
be necessary for me 20 describe this road and
locality. After getting beyond the cleared space in
front of the forts defending the town, the road ran
through dense forest and along the edge OF an inn
mense swamp that occupied the centre of the PENN
sular, formed by the Neuse and Trent Rivers. On
the left of the road was the swamp, on the right the
almost equally impenetrable forest and after going
some three miles the road divided. and after n sepa-
ration of about two miles in length again came to-
gether at Big Tree Upon reaching the point
where the road divided, "a short pause was made
while the officers debated upon the prudence Of
going further. Not that they wished to avoid meet
ing the enemy, but because the question arose as TO
whether they might not be going up one road while
he came down the other. The orders designated
{ Big Tree" as the point TO station themselves-it
would not do to divide the force, and finally Lieu
tenant b. ordered a couple Of mounted men to 90 on
up the side road while he pushed on on the main.
The orders to the two men were to keep on the side
road until they came in again with the main body.
If interrupted, to hurry back and join the command
again as soon as possible. AS the party had left
camp about 1 O'Clock A. NJ, by this time the grey
dawn began to make surrounding objects visible,
and with a strong advance and rear guard, the little
force went on its way, moving over the rough road
as silently as possible. of TO the left, the sound of
cracking musketry and occasional report Of light
field pieces told of a vigorous attack on the part Of
the rebels, and Of the stubborn defence made by the
gallant - n. Y. vols.,-who held that position.
Lieutenant b.. and his command had almost
reached their destination, when the men sent around
on the side road dashed up TO the party, and COM
municated the startling intelligence that they had
encountered a strong force Of the rebels, moving at
a rapid pace down the road, upon which they, obey
ing orders, turned back, and had made all haste Gas
the reeking limbs of their horses testifed) to report
" NuC %c ~ ~ ~ hO hOACNG ~
were not pursued, and in all probability had been
taken for a couple Of the cavalry-patrol that had
been sent out alone. Here was a fix. Lieutenant
B.. well knew that there must be n large force in
front of and near him, and that his position could
not long remain unknown. He could not go back,
for the force between him and Newbern efectually
stopped the way. After q brief consultation, a point
was selected near them where, in former years, n
gently rising mound had been cleared Of under
growth, and used as a ~camp-meeting ground. On
one side, at the base of the hill, ran u little stream,
on the other the bank broke of abruptly, and from
the road the hill rose gently, crowned with tall trees,
and covered with short fine grass. The guns were
placed in position so as to command the road either
way. The horses and mmunition-chest were con-
cealed by the bushes that skirted the stream. and
the men, after being stationed wherever an opportu-
nifty offered for shelter, busted themselves in still
further strengthening their position by bringing into
action the knowledge gained by their previous sum-
mer's experience. Then the guards were posted,
and through that long day they waited.
lConclnded next week.