Camp Pendleton Jany 1^st 1863

 

My dear Brother:

                                    A happy New Year to you! Is it a happy one? I fear not very. Still we ought to be thankful that our lives and health have been preserved. I at least should be thankful, twice within a month have I been where the lead and iron flew thick and fast and I came out without a scratch. But the day is a dark one for the people of America, the clouds grow blacker and blacker every day, no cheering news from Virginia, but defeat after defeat, and where lies the fault? are not the soldiers of the North as brave as those of the South? I know they are, I have seen South Carolina face to face with Massachusetts and S.C. was driven from the field. And I think we have good / Gens. who would succeed could they be let alone. Our forces have lately been driven back at Fredricksburg, the battle was ordered by a man sitting in his office in Washington, Gen. Burnside knew that it was not best to attact the place but Halleck ordered it and our army was driven back. As long as every man in Washington is to dictate so long shall we meet with defeats.

 

            We have just returned from a successful expedition. Dec. 11^th. about 15 000 men left this place and moved in the direction of Kinston. the 12^th we had a slight engagement capturing one gun. Sunday morning Dec. 14^th found us in the rear of Kinston. The Rebels expected us by the river road and had strong batteries and long rifle-pits ready to receive us. By getting into the rear of the town we escaped many of the batteries but must fight our way through an almost impassable swamp, mud and water two feet deep much of the / way and the vines and brush quite thick.

 

            The battle opened on a fair Sabbath morning at 10 o'clock, the 23^d was not in the advance but were soon ordered forward to support the 85^th Penn. this Regt. formed the left flank of our army and was in the swamp. We filed in and formed in line of battle a few paces in the rear of the 85^th. when their ammunition was exhausted we were to take their places. As soon as we were formed we were ordered to lie down. we were just in the edge of the swamp, the water stood in pools. The 85^th was with Gen. McClellan and we expected they would stand like a stone wall but soon we learned that they had many cowards in their ranks. our officers had all they could do to drive back the shirkers. The bullets came in showers but just a little too high. they went over our heads and the shells the same. A part of the 85^th stood their ground well and by their steady fire slowly / drove the enemy back. we followed after through the mud and water, it was above my knees.

 

On our right there was heavy firing but it was evident that we were gaining ground all along the lines. Our artillery could not advance through the swamp but was posted on a slight hill in our rear and from that point poured in the shells. On we all went and soon gained the open ground and rushed forward after the flying foe. we captured about 600 of them and 10 guns. The 23^d though not engaged was under fire as much as any Regt. on the field and had not the Rebels made a slight mistake our loss would have been heavy, as it was it was light. We remained in Kinston but one night, again moved in the direction of Goldsboro. Tuesday the 16^th we fought a battle at a place called White Hall. The engagement was brought on by the Rebels. The road we must pass over ran near a stream and through the edge of the woods. The Rebels were posted on the opposite side of the river behind log works while their sharp-shooters were in the trees. Their position was a strong one. we could not cross the river to get a fair chance at them. The 23^d formed the right of our line of battle, we were posted on one bank of the river and the Rebels on the other. We at once went to work. For two hours we were under a galling fire from both friend and foe—a blunder—In our rear on a small hill was posted one of our batteries and it was throwing percussion shell through the / woods and over our heads, many of them hit the tops of the trees and of course at once exploded. many were wounded in this way. an officer was sent to the rear to have either the battery or the Regt. changed but it was some time before anything was done. The trees protected us somewhat from the Rebel fire but many were hit, one near me on the right was mortally wounded, another had a shot through the arm & leg, clothes were torn, gun stocks splintered and many other narrow escapes. I had the dirt thrown in my face once. The 23^d was under fire just two hours and lost 69 in killed and wounded. We rec'd a high compliment that day. Our Regt. behaved as handsome as any Regt. could behave, not a man flinched. when the Regt. was ordered to fall back it did it as handsomely as though we were out on drill, our line was straight. Our Maj. told us that after that days engagement he could trust us any where, said he was proud of us, that we did our / duty nobly. I think we kept pretty cool. I think I knew what I was doing most of the time. Crosby was a little warm, his courage is good but he is easily excited. At Kinston a shell came quite near our heads, Crosby looked wild and exclaimed "H—l! why don't they compromise! we have had many a good laugh over it. in the fight he lost blankets, overcoat and cap. He is a queer boy.

 

            But I have not stated how the battle of White Hall ended. At the end of four hours we had silenced the enemy. Again we moved forward, the next day our advance neared the rail-road and bridge near Goldsboro. At about 10 o'clock the battle again opened, the 23^d being rear guard that day did not participate in the engagement, it was not a very severe one. soon we drove them and destroyed the rail-road and bridge. I was ahead of my Regt. and saw the battle. As soon as it was over the main part of the army turned back for Newbern. while a small / part of the army was resting near the battle ground the Rebels came down and attempted to capture one of our batteries. they were driven back with great loss. This was our last engagement, we had accomplished all that we had intended to do. The march back to Newbern was a quiet one, several pigs died and many a sweet potato hole was dug open. if people can live on pig & potato the inhabitants of N.C. will never starve.

 

            We are now in camp, may leave again any day and we may remain here till spring. Marching from 18 to 20 miles a day in an army train is hard work but I am good for it. I have learned to make a pot of coffee while the train is halting for a fifteen minutes rest, to eat meat, cooked or uncooked and to sleep on three rails when I can find no better bed. One of the best meals I ate on the march consisted of raw pork raw potatoes and sour molasses. I was hungry that day /

 

            Fred and others keeps me posted on Boston news. Fred is still with the Tip Co. The Goodyears are drawing the knot tighter and tighter every day, the factory is to be removed to New Haven Ct. C. McK & Co. are nowhere.

 

            I have not heard from Georgia for a long time. I rec'd a nice little letter from a school-teacher in Carlisle a few days ago.

 

            Day after to-morrow I visit my friends in the 44^th Regt. I have many there.

 

            We have just been paid off. I sent $16.00 home and $2.00 to Fred. Am living high just now, mince pie and plum pudding, it will last for a day or two when when we shall again settle down to army rations. The weather is fine and warm, quite different from home. There they have very cold weather but not much snow. I hear from home by about every mail. I presume you get all the news from that quarter. I continue as contented as could be expected. Could we get some cheering news from Va. we should be all right. My health never was better. I weigh more than I ever did before.

 

As the mail closes in a few minutes I must close. I hope to hear from you soon and of your continued success. Remember me to Jed & Ham

 

Write soon

                                                           

Your brother

Charles Chase

SOURCES