Newbern May 2^nd '63.

 

Dear Brother,

                        We are trying camp life again as you have no doubt heard before this. Our camp is a pleasant one on the same side of the river as our old one and called "Camp Moss". Our tents are "A" tents, not large but only three or four are in a tent so we get along quite well. Frank Allen, myself and a fellow by the name of Stacy are in one tent.

 

            We have had another bat at the "Grey Backs". We left here last Mon. morning and took the cars and went toward Kinston. We first stopped at Batchelder Creek nine miles up the road, for a few minutes and then passed on to Cove Creek. We saw some rebel pickets but they retreated as fast / as we advanced. At Cove Creek we encamped for the night in a corn field and made shelters of rubber blankets and fence rails. On Tues. we lay in our camp, Cos B and F going out as skirmishers until about noon when we fell in and marched up the track. We saw nothing of the rebs until about three when they began to fire on our advance. We pushed on, taking two prisoners, until we came to a breastwork across the track (or where the track should be twas torn up) and extending to the left. Our Co carried the colors and remained on the track and the rest filed into the field on the left and engaged the rebels. The firing was quite sharp, but the Col soon called on our Co to charge. We fired a volley and then went in with a yelp, our other companies following. We found nary a reb inside, for / they had made tracks for the woods and commenced firing again. We returned it until they were out of our reach. I said there were none inside when we got there, but there were a few, either dead or wounded. We had only four killed or wounded, and started back for Cove Creek, where we arrived about half past nine P.M. wet and tired, for it rained all the time on the way back. We got a stiff whiskey ration and turned in for the night. Wed and Thurs. we lay in camp at Cove Creek and Fri. we came back.

 

            The fight was about seven miles from Kinston, and had we gone farther we might have found our match.

 

            We have to go on guard only once in ten days now, and drill only three hours a day, so I think time will pass pleasantly. 

 

Eight weeks more and I hope to see you. Some of the nine months men will probably get home before us, but if they send us home when our time expires, we will not complain.

 

            The weather seems like summer and is getting too warm for marching. I should like to be at home by the first of July for we could have some fine times on the shore.

 

            One of our gunboats fired a few shots this morning but as we heard nothing more, we thought nothing of it.

 

            Write as often as you can for the mail comes only once in a while since Adams Ex gave it up.

                                                           

Love to all

Milo,

 

May 5^th Have you wet that hat yet?

 

Your letter and Louise's arrived safe this morning. /

 

 

Chesapeake Hospital Sunday

Here I am flat on my back but doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances my wound is one that very few ever recover from. I was struck in the abdomen by a piece of shell which tore open my clothing and broke the skin of the abdomen but the iron did not enter the flesh my intestines lay out several inches and many bade me good bye on the field of battle little thinking that I could live even to be got off the field I was carried nearly a mile and a half in a blanket and it hurt me so I begged the boys to lay me down and let me die but Capt Raymond of Beverley took charge of me and would not let them leave me till they got me to the field hospital There Dr / Richardson of the 13 N H a particular friend of mine took me immediately in hand and did every thing that could be done and to him through the grace of God I owe my life he immediately went to work on me first I give him my watch and all I had about me to give Lt E. for you he gave me either and I knew nothing until he got all through They then put me in an ambulance and took me about 2 miles to annother hospital where I was so weak that they could not carry me any further they left me there until about 2 when an order came to move us all and I was loaded into a heavy army wagon and oh dear the pain I suffered I arrived at our Hos at Cobs Hill and Dr Emmerton and Woodbane took charge of me I was put by the side of Col / Chambers who is wounded in the left brest and has the ball in him yet we were taken good care off all the rest of the day until Tuesday afternoon when we were put on the Steamer Express and brought to this place and the charge of one of our best friends Dr Derby who has had every thing done for us that could be done his beautiful wife has called on us twice The Dr gives me great encouragement but sez I must keep very quiet and take nothing but liquids

 

I must stop now I have exerted myself as I know you and mother will be so anxious put your trust in God pray for me that I may be restored to you and I have no doubt but that he will in his great mercy and kindness hear and answer the prayers

 

My love to all I am ever

Richard

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