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THBPrivate Morton Thompson, 3rd Massachusetts Infantry, Civil War Archive
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LiveJun 9, 2017 - Jun 10, 2017
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- Lot Description
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.
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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 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…Morton.
c.) Camp Richmond near New Bern, NC, Nov. 27, 1862, in part: …the camp is named after our Gallant Colonel…the boys think there was never such officer before. We all satisfied with our Reg'tal. and Co'py. officers. On the evening of the 18th three rebel deserters came within our lines at Newport…they stated that [they] had served their time out and wished to return home, but they would not let them…so they run away. They say the soldiers where they came from are discouraged. Some [that] have served their time out are still in service. 25 deserted when they did. The capt of their comp. told them that if they escaped unharmed he should not chase them when a few more left he should resign. Lieut. Morton escorted one of them home and saw the meeting of his friend. The soldier had been absent on year. Lieut. said that it was very affecting scene…they were from Smithfield. Whether their reports were true or not I do not know but they told a hard story about the troops in that vicinity. One of them died…two days after his arrival home…I have just been down to the shores of the Neuse and seen gleaning on the water the…bright steamers and the black gunboats…a chapter from the scriptures was read aloud by one of member…also the Proclamation…I had the misfortune to lose my pocket book which contained about three dollars. I have not been in want of any since…Morton.
d.) Camp Richmond, [New Bern, NC], Jan. 15, 1863, in part: …there is an expedition about leaving New Bern but we are not going. We have been cast out of Heckman's brigade on account of poor arms…I am sorry to learn that our division has net with such a loss. I am ashamed of Halifax to think there is a man mean enough to commit such a deed…Eph'm C. Ripley, Jr. has come to an untimely death in the hospital and the Churchill boys also…the reason for another general inspection so soon is because we changed brigades. We were…in Lee's brigade then in Heckman's now in Jordan's. If you wish to know my position in this army…I am a private in Compnay A commanded by John W. Marble, 3rd Regt. Com'ed. S. P. Richmond, 2nd Brigade Com'ed. by Jordan, 5th Division commander unknown, 18th Army Corps cod. by Gen. John G. Foster…Morton…
e.) Camp Richmond, [New Bern, NC], Jan. 20, 1863, in part: …yesterday our brigade (2nd commanded by Col. Jordan) passed in review before General Foster…Capt. Bates being the senior capt. present as the field officers went off with the general. It is rumored that Butler is coming here to take command. Do you hear anything about it. The expedition…has not gone from here yet. Three rgts have left here to make a feint towards Kinston. The larger expedition goes by transports. Probably Wilmington is their destination..our arms are all which prevented our accompanying the expedition. Heckman rejected us on that account…Morton…
f.) New Bern, NC, Jan. 28, 1863, in part: …we have left our camp on the Neuse and are now situated a few rods left of Fort Totten behind a large earthwork on which…we are to mount cannon…we are about a mile from our former encampment…the reason for this movement it was to be out of range of the gunboats in case of an attack…everything has to be done in a military manner…it seems that Gen. Rosecrans has met with good success. I hope Burnside may be equally as fortunate. Does the rebellion look as though it was any nearer "played out" than when I left home. What few papers we get here are so old that we cannot tell what to think…Morton.
g.) Camp Jordan, New Bern, NC, Feb. 3, 1863, in part: …last night a picket belonging to 158 N. Y. regt. shot off three fingers by an accidental discharge of his musket…I suppose the remains of those boys {Charley & Fred) will be at home soon as they were placed in metallic coffins purchased by the Comp…[they] leave here today…Morton.
h.) Camp Jordan, [New Bern, NC], Feb. 16, 1863, in part: …much has been said in camp respecting a change in the public sentiment of the North. I was not fairly convinced of the fact until a letter came from Cephas announcing the fact that you and he had subscribed for the "Rock". I am happy to see a decline in party spirit and hope that ere long all will unite in the great and glorious cause for which…we are now separated…Morton.
i.) Camp Jordan, New Bern, NC, Feb. 26, 1863, in part: …this morning…we marched to the city halted in front of Gen. Foster's headquarters where there was to be flag raising. The flag was raised after which the troops gave three cheers for the flag…the band played the Star Spangled banner and other National airs then a national salute was fired. We then cheered Gen. Foster and a salute of 13 guns was fired for him at this time…Col. Richmond was serenaded on the eve of the 22d by the band from the fort, a national salute was fired here on that day by the fort…Morton.
j.) Camp Jordan, New Bern, NC, Apr. 7, 1863, in part: …I was on picket a few rods from camp on Sunday…I was surprised by the appearance of three men and a sergeant from another regiment. They informed us that they were sent to relieve us as we were to start for Washington, N. C….we were at the wharf in the city ready to take transports…a boat from Washington was nearing the wharf [when] Gen. Foster's wife and two daughters accompanied by an aide rode to the wharf. Anxiety was written on the brow of the lady. The aide received a dispatch from the Gen. and spoke to…the Genl's wife. She clasped her hands. Our colonel gave the command "about." We returned to camp. It soon spread through the regiment that Foster was all right…those marches were not very hard…I have outmatched some who at home would do more work in half a day than I could in a whole one. Fifty men were reported unable for duty yesterday than [the] day before. Most cases are measles …Col. Richmond says he should protest against moving his regt now on that account…our breastworks have been newly repaired and every caution [is] taken to prevent any news from escaping. No man has been allowed to leave the city. New Bern has been very weak as many of the troops have been at Washington. When Col. Richmond was asked how long it would take him to get his regt. ready to march he replied ten minutes. 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…Morton…
k.) Camp Jordan, [New Bern, NC], Apr. 15, 1863, in part: …we were ordered to pack and in a short time we [were] on the smooth waters of the Neuse…the next day we took up the line of march towards Washington. It was evident that the "cause of emergency" spoken of [in] my last had come. The country passed through resembled the rest of North Carolina excepting that the land was on the left bank of the river was higher…for the first time Maj. had command of the regiment…Col. Jordan has returned after an absence of several weeks furlough…Col. Jourdan and staff have just rode into camp…I was lame some after the march as we marched fifty five miles in forty six hours pretty quick time…Morton…
l.) Camp Jourdan, New Bern, [NC], Apr. 25-26, 1863, in part: …it is reported that our army corps is to be divided and sent to various places in this department…it is thought by the officers that the spring campaign is about over. I hope it is [so] for we shall not have any more marching…[April 26]…our retreat with [General] Spinola was a fortunate thing for us. Washington is all right now…there seems to be considerable feelings against Gen. Hunter. It is the opinion here that he will be removed…another discharge has been granted to a member of our comp. Corp. hood of Hanson. He lost his power of speech and can speak only in a whisper…Morton.
m.) Camp Jourdan", New Bern, [NC], May 29, 1863, in part: …Gen. Foster addressed us that day…he said he wished to say…to say as we were going home…he came to say few words in regard [about] a regiment of heavy artillery which was to be formed out of the Mass. Regts in this department [that is] to be 1800 strong. He would like to get one or two companies from this regt, each company containing 150 men, 5 officers…the artillery regiment is to garrison the forts around this place. He said he would get 75 dollars bounty…he should offer…good quarters, little marching and plenty of fighting. Last the forts here had been attacked and he thought probable they would be again. Whoever enlisted should goon home immediately to remain thirty days then the companies would be formed in Boston and sent out here by the time the nine month [regts] leave here, if possible. He spoke in the highest terms and in speaking of Col. Richmond, "your Col…never trod…worthy to command any regiment."…Morton.
Letters are in good condition with typical folds.Condition
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