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May 7, 1862 – Sketch of Fort Macon

Fort Macon, which guarded and protected the town of Beaufort, was situated on bluff on Bogue’s Bank, one mile and three quarters from the town. It commanded the entrance to the harbor, having a full sweep of fire over the main channel. Opposite the fort, at the entrance of the harbor, is Shackleford Bank, one mile and a half across. The fortification was of a hexagonal form, had two tiers of guns—one in casemated bombproof, and the other en barbette. Its armament consisted of twenty thirty two pounders, thirty twenty four pounders, two eighteen pounders, three field pieces for flanking defence, twelve flank howitzers, eight eight inch howitzers (light), eight eight inch howitzers (heavy), one thirteen inch mortar, three ten inch mortars, and two Coehorn mortars—making a total of eighty nine guns.

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May 1, 1862 – A Sharp Skirmish

On Saturday week, near South Mills above Elizabeth City, N. C., the 3d Georgia Regiment, Col. A. R Wright, attacked a strong force of the enemy, and fought them several hours. The Norfolk Say Book says:

Our force consisted of six companies of the 3d Georgia Regiment and McComas’ Artillery. The companies were not full and the whole number of men on our side may he set down at from three to five hundred.

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March 25, 1862 – Camp Newspapers

Gen. Burnside, in his announcement of the capture of Newbern, said, —“we have taken a printing office, and shall start a daily newspaper.” He understands, not only how to win battles, but also how to make the most of his opportunities after his victories are secured. The North Carolinians round about Newbern will learn something from his daily paper. It will expose secession lies, and correct their false notions in regard to his purpose in visiting their state. It is the custom of our troops to start a paper wherever they capture a printing office and remain long enough to work it. They never lack men capable of doing anything that needs to be done. Several of these camp newspapers have found their way to our table.

From Leesburg, Va., comes “The Advance Guard,” published by the officers of the 28th Pennsylvania regiment. It is issued from the office of one of the secession papers there that have been suppressed by Col. Geary. The conductors say that one of their aims is to expose the infamous ‘’misrepresentations and fabrications” of their predecessors, they say of their enterprize:—

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March 20, 1862 – Battle at Newbern, N.C.

The Charlotte Bulletin of the 16th has the following :

The battle commenced 7.30, on Friday. The first shot was fired by the Federalists at the Atlantic railroad shops. Soon after, the firing was indiscriminate, but destructive. Our troops disputed their advance bravely. The Federals numbered 12,000 on land, and 61 transports, while our force was about 6,000. The fight lasted two and a half hours, when it became necessary for our troops to evacuate Newbern, in consequence of their being borne down upon by overwhelming numbers. The citizens, at least several of them fired their own dwelling and business houses. The cotton and turpentine stored in Newbern was first fired, and totally destroyed. Our army stores and provisions were all removed. Two batteries and two car loads, one of ammunition, and the other of arms, fell into the hands of the enemy.

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February 6, 1862 – Tribute of Respect

At a meeting of Capt. Ennett’s Co. (E,) 3rd regiment N. C. State Troops, Sergt. J. W. Stokley was called to the Chair, and Corpl. J. M. Piner was requested to act as Secretury. After explaining the object of the meeting in a few very appropriate remarks, a Committee of five, namely : Sergt. J. R. Jenkins, Corp’l F. M. Redd, Benjamin Marshall, P. P. Hobbs, B. Thompson, were appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the feelings of the Company relative to the death of our much esteemed and worthy brother in arms, Reuben Curtis. After a short debate, the Committee read the following :