The National tribune., 1908-12-17
MASSACHUSETTS AND NORTl
CAROLINA.
A Very Pleasant Affair at the Dedication
Of the Massachusetts Monument to
Her Sons Who Fell in North Carolina.


Of the Massachusetts Monument to
Her Sons Who Fell in North Carolinn.
Editor National Tribune: As a MEM
ber Of Co. X, oath Mass, that took
part in the many engagements in North
Carolina during 1862, had the pleas
ure Of joining the Massachusetts COM
rades who went to Newbern Nov. g.
IA, 1908, to dedicate beautiful monu-
ment erected by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts in memory of her 500
brave sons who lie in the National
Cemetery near Newbern. The Massa-
chusetts delegation arrived Wednesday,
Nov. IL. A few stragglers. some from
Massachusetts. one from Ohio (E- b.
Lyon), had captured the town Tuesday
night, like Kilpatrick'1 stragglers who
captured the bridge while he (Kilpat-
rick) was waiting for authority to do
1t. Five oath Mass. boys were present,
and the good time we had cannot be
told in cold print. A company of Kim
ston Rifles, with band, was detailed to
do escort duty. This courtesy was
greatly appreciated. Wednesday after
noon a special train was placed at our
! service. The representatives and many
citizens started to the National Ceme-
terry. When within a quarter of mile
we formed line led by company of
young girls, dressed in white, each car
| rying an American Flag, the band and
rifle company following. At the gate
the girls stopped, and we passed amid
| the waving Of flags and singing of pa
! triotic songs. This was a beautiful
sight. The little girls assembled around
the monument. and took part in the
dedication exercises.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
| has Just cause to be proud of the gran
| ite shaft erected. On the second base
the word Massachusetts, appears. On
the granite block two sides have the
numbers Of the Massachusetts, regi-
| ments who fought on these fields. The
front panel has: 1.-THE Commonwealth
| of Massachusetts, erects this monument
| in grateful memory of her soldiers and
| sailors who died In the Department of
North Carolina, 1s61-1S65."
The shaft is surmounted by figure
of Peace" with pen in hand and hold
ing tablet upon which is inscribed
AFTER loyal service Union and Peace"
The monument was unvailed by Mrs.
Laura A. Dugan. who was born at
Newbern, and Is a daughter of Col.
Thomas ]. C. Amory, 17th Mass, who
died of yellow fever during the war.
Mrs. Dugan was assisted by Miss Alice
Alden Sprague. A salute Of artillery
closed the exercises.
Maj. Charles B. Amory and self went
to Fort Tatten, a Union fort built to
defend Newbern. After 46 years we
were surprised to find it in fair condi-
ton, with very steep banks and a
hay wagon thru; inside was under
cultivation.
Returning by the Fair grounds (our
old camp, we found saw mills, an oil
mill, railroads and stores where we
knew only camp life. Newbern has
extended to the fort, once three miles
away, and is a pretty Southern city.
Tho nan0htnrc n 20 Yafa
ans gave the Massachusetts boys q re-
ception Wednesday evening that was
truly enjoyable. The hall was deco
rated with a very large United States
Flag, Confederate emblems and pic
lures of Confederate Generals. Every
songs were ringing in the hall. Bon
ME Blue Flag" John Brown" MARY
land, My Maryland" Marching Thru
Georgia." Dixie" yankee Doodle"
Star Spangled Banner and "Ameri-
ca closed the festivities.
we found the Kinston Rifles sturdy,
patriotic body Of young men. as ready
to defend our country in time of need
as any Massachusetts, or Ohio militia.
In company with Maj. Amory, Capt.
Wiley and two 25th Mass. boys we vis-
ited Fort Thompson. on the bank of
the Neuse River. Here we found a
Mr.. Smith, who was Chief Musician of
the 10th Mass. The fort is still there;
magazine caved in, large trees and un-
derbrush made walking hard; the mile
OF breastworks are covered with large
pine trees where our army charged In
capturing the works, and cultivated
nelds lie on either SIDE. We had no
difficulty in locating our positions on
the held. In strolling about the city
found the three-story brick house used
by Gen. Foster as headquarters, the
same small porch, where I could see
myself, with gun in hand, pacing my
beat doing guard duty; also recognized
Gen. Burnside's headquarters. While
In Newbern ] talked with the engineer
who took the fleeing Confederates over
the bridge just before 1t was burned.
The generous hospitality shown the
Massachusetts, delegation and all friends
was appreciated. and we returned home
leenng we knew our Southern friends
netteE-Edgar B. Lyon. Co. K, cath