Beschreibung:

Lot of 24 war-date letters, some with original covers, written from New Bern, NC, by Nathaniel Morton, 3rd Massachusetts Infantry, Co. A, dating from November 1862-May 1863. Nathaniel Morton Thompson was a 20-year-old student when he left the books for glory and adventure on the war front. He enlisted on April 16, 1861 and mustered into the 3rd Massachusetts Infantry, Co. A, on April 23, 1861. He mustered out at Boston on July 22, 1861 and re-enlisted into the same regiment on September 23, 1862. Two months later, his regiment headed South. From North Carolina, he wrote: The prettiest sight I have seen I think was when the expedition went up the river…yesterday morning about 3 o'clock I was standing on picket a few rods from camp. I heard a train of cars approaching I listened and found that they stopped at this station…there was some movement among the troops here. In a few moments the artillery bugle sounded the roll call…Lieut. Lyon came down without stopped to give the countersign [and] told us that NewBern was threatened…we formed a line, marched on board the cars and when the sun rose…seen a train of cars containing 3 companies of infantry, their bright muskets gleaning in the sunlight. Some were singing, others eating hard bread and all went in better spirits and with some courage than was expected. Behind the cars which carried the infantry were the two pieces of cannon and their appendages. Behind those were…the horses of the infantry and cavalry. When we reached New Bern we learned that some of our pickets had been fired at and driven in, but nothing was sent for but a battery so the infantry and cavalry all returned (Newport Barracks, [New Bern, NC], November 13, 1862). For the majority of his service, the regiment stayed in South Carolina. Generals sent many orders for them to go to the front, but received second sets of orders to remain. It became somewhat of a joke for the men. Thos. Bourne, while drinking at the water pail last night, said "Here's to the 3d regt. may she be like an old maid. Always ready and never wanted." He is our budget of fun (Camp Jordan, New Bern, NC, April 7, 1863). The fight would never come and almost all the original men, excluding very few who died of either illness or perished during minor skirmishes, returned home. Morton, with the rest of the men, mustered out of Camp Hooker in Lakeville, MA on June 26, 1863. Refer to cowans.com for additional transcribed letters included in the archive. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Highlights from the collection include: a.) Newport Barracks, [New Bern, NC], Nov. 8, 1862, in part: …I was detailed on Monday to go to Havelock, a distance of about 9 miles, to perform picket duty. We were to return Wednesday but on account of an expedition which went from here [we] were not relieved…until yesterday. The expedition…consisted of 40 men from Co. A and the same number from Co. B and 2 pieces of artillery…they marched 25 miles…took 2 or 3 horses, five or six guns etc. When they came in they were nearly exhausted. Darius had the misfortune to lose his money…I visited a small plantation occupied by a negro. We saw there quite an orchard consisting of apple, pear, peach, fig and nut trees…among the spontaneous productions of this place are found…cattle, hogs, dogs…they run at large at Havelock. They are permitted to shoot what they please…while we were up there we had as much fresh pork and sweet potatoes as we wanted…Morton. b.) Newport Barracks, [New Bern, NC], Nov. 13, 1862, in part: …I am detailed to go to Havelock again this afternoon. While I sit here…the cavalry [are] having a mounted drill which if I saw at home I should think it considerable of sight but here we scarcely think of looking….the prettiest sight I have seen I think was when the expedition went up the river…yesterday morning about 3 o'clock I was standing on picket a few rods from camp. I heard a train of cars approaching