Friday, March 29, 2013

Hard at Work

Sunday, March 29, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire was hard at work in Suffolk, helping to secure buildings and bridges around camp. Drills, guard duty, and picket duty were part of their daily routine. Today the Thirteenth New Hampshire took part in a morning inspection and an afternoon dress parade. The men of the Thirteenth also attended religious services at an Episcopal church in Suffolk.1

References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 120-22.

Friday, March 22, 2013

First Week at Suffolk

Sunday, March 22, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire settled into their first week of camp at Suffolk, enduring cold and stormy weather under shelter tents. On Friday a snowstorm raged through Suffolk, depositing six inches of snow. Today the Thirteenth heard gunfire near their camp and several Confederate prisoners were brought into camp.1

References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 118-20.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Army of Suffolk

Sunday, March 15, 1863

On Friday The Thirteenth New Hampshire left camp at Newport News and embarked on the steamer "Croton" bound for Norfolk. A Confederate corps under the command of General James Longstreet threatened the Union lines near Suffolk. General Longstreet's mission was to guard the railway supply lines of the Confederate army. After disembarking the "Croton" the Thirteenth New Hampshire marched to Suffolk and set up a new camp. General Getty's Third Division of the Ninth Corps, of which the Thirteenth New Hampshire was a part, was now known as the "Army of Suffolk."1

References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 117-18.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Letters from the Front - Nathaniel Caverly Jr.

Tuesday, March 10, 1863

Nathaniel Caverly Jr. wrote a letter home to his father from Newport News, thanking him for the letter he received the previous day. He was very glad to hear that all was well at home and he reassured his family that he was "well and h[e]arty." He asked how the town meeting was going, and thanked his father for all the things he sent from home. "I got the things and money and thank you for them and if we are ever paid off I will repay you." He closed his letter with "write soon and give my love to all."1

References:
1Alan C. Phillips, Soldiers in My Family: Caverlys and Murrays 1754-1865. (DePere, Wisconsin: A.C. Phillips, 1993.), 88-89.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Drills and Dress Parade

Sunday, March 8, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire engaged in regular drills this week, with company and battalion drills followed by a dress parade on Thursday. This week the weather was mainly clear but cold. This morning the Thirteenth had an inspection of arms during a thundershower.1

References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 115-116.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Letters from the Front - Nathaniel Caverly Jr.

Friday, March 6, 1863

Nathaniel Caverly Jr. wrote a letter home to his father from Newport News, expressing concern that he had received only one letter from home which was written before they left Falmouth. Nathaniel mentioned that he had written four letters since arriving at Newport News. He stated that he wasn't sure if his family didn't receive his letters or he didn't receive their letters. He asked for postage stamps from home to send letters, as he couldn't get any more from camp.1

References:
1Alan C. Phillips, Soldiers in My Family: Caverlys and Murrays 1754-1865. (DePere, Wisconsin: A.C. Phillips, 1993.), 87-88.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Nathaniel's Story - Promotion to Corporal

Sunday, March 1, 1863

Nathaniel Caverly Jr. received the honor of a promotion today. Nathaniel was promoted to Corporal of Company F.1

References:
1Compiled service record, Oliver S. Bates, Pvt., Co. A, 20th Massachusetts Infantry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.