March 10^th

                                                We came in camp a little before night. It rained a considerable during the day. There has been much cannonading in the direction of Kinston. I fear the Johnies will be to many for General Kox. yet if the General has one half the Johnies nomber he will be good for them.

 

March 11^th This morning all the troops were orderd up at 12 Oclock and be ready to march at 2. I drew one day rations. we marched until nearly daylight and were obliged to wade quite a stream. many a bare leg broke the water. I left on my drawrs shoes and socks it was pretty cold. the ground was white with frost. / General Couch an eastern man has command of the 3^d Division he recieved orders to push forward as fast as possible. we herd no more cannonading today. Signs of the times ar good. We ar now in camp and 8 miles from Kinston. General Kox came in camp this evening elated with success. The rebels attacted and fought him 2 days on the first day it was quite unfavorable for us but on the 2^nd day the Johnies charged Koxes works 6 sepparate times and were repulsed evry time. The results ar so very conflicting I dare not give any statement as reliable. only these ar mostly reliable, that we lost a few hundred eastern troops in prisonors and took a few hundred / our loss in killed was very light from the fact they were in works. the rebels lost very heavy in killed as our men used much grape and canister on them. And during the night the rebels retreated acros the Neuse River Kinston is on the opposite side of the river from us and they burned a large bridge that spaned the river at the town. They still hold the town.

 

            Sabbath the 11^th The 2 Divisions of the 23^rd A.C. ar the ony troops on this route and we came here today. we marched about 2 miles today in order to be clocer to the R.R. and Kinston. We may stop here a few days. I dont hear from Sherman, but we all believe he is moving on Goldsboro. We herd last evening that Earley and 1800 / were taken. Hope it is true. Evry body is elated with sucess well I dont mean the Johnies ar I hope to get a letter some day the latest that I have recieved was dated Feb 8^th. We all were orderd to pack our overcoats at Wilmington and was told they would be sent to us but afterwards they were expressed home. If you call on Josial Dow it is marked W^m Troyer. I wish you to ask Uncle Samuel (that is if you think he will be as good a person as I can get, as you know how he conducts our afairs) to work 50 acres of our farm the next summer after I get home. It will be imposible for me to work all of the land with our young team and if lumber is reasonable I wish to build a barn. I speak in time for fear he will secure another place. You need not bind the bargain at present unless you both wish to do so. let me know what he thinks about it. We will want to live in our own house. Today is real pleasant I am well. So is Walter. I enclose pea nuts, plant them if you wish or give them to some one to plant. I wish to have some seed. Monday 13^th. We expect to move to Kingston or as some say call it Kinston today. I am well. Hope my dear ones ar. Yours as ever, true William

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