Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-28
The Movement

Tbirtv-three years ago the Confederate
Government conceived the idea OF cap
turing New Berne. \. c., the movement
being proposed by General George H.
Pickett. who was at that time in com
uand of the Department Of North caro-
liam. AS TO why the movement was en-
tsrtained. and what was to DO gained,
many opinions have been expressed by
soldiers. who were on the outside, rather
than the inside. Of councils held by their
superior officers.
II was known that the government was
preparing TO build boats on the Neuse
river ~ IIinston; in fact, one was under
Wv The movement was finally made
the forces engaged on the south Of the
Neuze river. consisting or General Hoke S
and Clipgman's North Carolina brigades'
and norton OF Corse's Brigade
with the Thirty-eigth Battalion OF Ar
tiuerv. consisting OF the Richmond Fay
cite Artillery. Caslde's Battery, StriD-
limos Battery, and Lathams Battery
General bearing, with his cavalry, and
three regiments OF infantry, was 20
threaten the north Of the Neuse, while
penton's and Terry's Virginia brigades
gade. with some cavalry and artillery,
were 10 move on the Trent road.
AT the time OF the issuing Of orders
for me above movement, the Fayette
Artillery, Of Richmond was in win
Ter quarters az Petersburg. The men
had erected good quarters, and were
greatly enjoying the rest so much needed
by them In fact, they were so nicely
fixed mat they entertained strong hopes
Il would be a long time ere they should
have 10 take another long march, or par
ticipate In some bloody struggle.
II was near th8 close of December
1863, when this company was ordered
into line, and orders were given 10 pre-
mare rations for q march Of several
days Here the hopes entertained 10y
the men, as expressed In the preceding
paragraph. were dashed 70 the ground,
and all kinds Of conjectures We're ex-
pressed as 10 what this movement
Ineant-where were they TO go; what was
20 be undertaken what was 20 be gained,
and lastly, but not the least. would all
hands come back againR
The members of the company needed
rest; they desired a relaxation from the
long marches and severe struggles so
recently undergOne but orders issued du-
ring war are inexorable; so 10 the
work the men went. Camp-fres were
kindled. and rations, composed Of the
best OF the land that could be furnished
by tho powers that then existed. were
prepared and packed away ia haver-
sacks. In a few hours all was In readi-
ness for the march. The drivers here
received orders to harness and hitch
horses 10 tho guns the ammunition IN
the gun-chests and caissons was exam
ined as 20 condition etc, and report
made to the commanding officer, Lieu
tenant william /. Clopton- AS soon as
this report was received, the drivers we've
ordered TO mount, and 10 the command
"Forwardj march, the battery moved
off, the men still wondering, wherel
CROSSED THE LINE.
The battery had not been on the road
but a very few hours before 1t was dis
covered that the company had crossed
the line and were IN North Carolina
The march was continued on to Colds
boro', wnen the cars were taken 10 th'
town or Kinston. on the Neuse river
On reaching Kinston We encamped fol
several days. ia order 10 give the mer
and horses rest.
On the !st Of January 1854 the Wea
Their being as warm as an August day
the company was again ordered on tn
march. The sand In the road just he
low Kinston was several inches deep
and the pulling OF the guns and heavy
caissons was exceedingly hard. After WI
had proceeded about ten or twelve miles
the horses. covered with lather or foam
and the men considerably fatigued. OF
account of the heat and the traml
through the heavy sand, countermarci
was ordered. Back TO Kinston we went
where we encamped until February
During this encampment the met
learned through some source on Wha
polut this portion Of the army was ex
pected 10 move 1t was whispered
through the camp that the march Wal
10 be on TO New Berne. and 10 wal
further said that the land forces were q
be supported, or assisted, In the ettacl
OF the town by men Ia long boats o.
the Neuse river. under command o
Colonel X. Taylor Wood. These boats
II was stated, were 10 be equipped Will
an necessary appliances and the mel
we're 10 be armed with cutlasses, etc.
for boarding vessels, and on arriving
in sight OF the town. and II guneoat'
should be seen in the river. the men wer'
to lay TO their oars and secrete them
selves as best they could under the over
hanging boughs Of the trees on the banks
OF the stream. when they were 10 rcmair
until n.ghtfail. when concerted mov'
on the part OF the crews OF the seyera
boats was 20 be made on the Fedora
Eunboats and the latter taken. IL posi-