The Press., 1896-04-16
(Continued from last weekly


 January 31.-A cloudy day. Came off guard this morning. Went down to meet ing in the city in the M. E. church this forenoon. An Episcopal minister preach ed. Had a very good meeting of the kind. The house was full. Wrote to w. w. Ellis this afternoon and to sister Lucy. Detailed for picket tomorrow.
 February 1.-Another cloudy day. 1 am on picket duty from six o'clock until eight this evening, on the outpost. Noth- ing of interest occurred to-day. Wrote to R. Hills and l.. A. House. Had good time. A little rainy this evening.
 February 2.--Another cloudy day. We were relieved from picket this morning by the 103d Pa. boys. It rained a little last night while was on guard, from two o'clock until four this morning I heard the report of seven or eight guns off at @ great distance. Do not know what it was for. Heard the report of rife at twelve o'clock in the night, in the enemy's lines. We have to keep good lookout while on
 
 general inspection tomorrow. Eighteen months ago to-day enlisted. Enlisted Aug. 3, 1862).
 February 3.-A cold, windy day. Great excitement. The mail boat came in last night and brought the news that the Reb- els, under LOngstreet, had attacked New Berne, and five brigades had captured fort between New Berne and Morehead City, and have possession of the railroad between the two cities. We received marching orders at two o'clock this p. m. The 18th Conn. left here for New Berne at dark. The 18th expects to go as soon as transports can come up. Wrote to my father and to Andre Cummings to- night. Received letters from M. B. Fisk, E. K. Taft, A. Adams, A. Whiton, and brother Oliver.
 February "A pleasant day and not quite so cold as yesterday. The 18th Conn. left for New Berne just after dark last night. It is reported that the enemy is within ten or fifteen miles of this place and advancing, A great many rumors are afloat, but we cannot rely upon anything as correct. Our chaplain, Rev. MT. Dix on, returned from his furlough the 2d inst Wrote letter to brother Oliver to-day. am detailed for picket to-mor- row. A pleasant but cold evening.
 February 5.--Cool but pleasant. I am on guard to-day. My picket post is sur rounded by @ swamp and felled timber It is reported that the enemy is advancing on this place. A scouting party from the 16th Conn. went out two or three miles to-day, but could learn nothing in regard to the movements. of the enemy. An at tack is expected here tonight. Our pick are doubled and we are ready to receive them. The 16th Conn. moved inside the breastworks to-day.
 February 6.-I was relieved from pick ct this morning. The countersign last night was "Hahen Linden" All of the troops in this place were called up at 3 o'clock this morning and lay under arms behind the breastworks, awaiting the at tack of the enemy but no enemy came. Companies B, G, K, and B, are on the right in fort, while Companies A, F, D, I, c and H are behind the Notifications on the Aqua road. Eighteen or twenty men from the 18th went up the river on the gunboat Bombshell as picket tonight. Went to prayer meeting this evening.
 February "A cool, cloudy day. Rain ed little last night. We got orders last evening to fall in at three o'clock this morning, but we were not called up. The mail came in to-day. It is reported that the Rebels have left from before New , Berne, after loosing a large number. Three brigades charged three times upon one of our forts, and took it, but were soon driven out. Our loss is between five and six hundred men and one gun boat. I went to church this forenoon. Received letters from l.. H. Eaton and Rev. Charles H. Morse.
 February 8.-A pleasant day. I am on guard. Nothing of special consequence to record. I went to prayer-meeting last night in the M. B. church. We had a good sermon, good singing and goed meeting.
 February 9.-Another very pleasant day. Game of guard this morning and