September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
War-date Union soldier's Autograph Letter Signed by Morton Thompson, 3rd Massachusetts Volunteers, 12pp. octavo, New Bern, North Carolina, March 25, 1863, and reads in part: "...Col Jordan commander of our brigade is at home on a furlough, I hope it will be a long one as we have no brigade drills now...[with 8 pages copied by him from his journal] Mar. 5th There has been rumors of an expedition...Mar. 7th Line of March taken up...The manner of guarding was the two right companies (C and F) in advance of the whole train four next companies E,A, K, and G in the center. H, B, D in the rear. As the progress was slow on account of the state of the roads which were rather bad and the contra disposition of the mule we did not arrive in camp until eleven...when we arrived at McDonald's plantation. This is quite a noted place being connected with the life of the world renowned 'Uncle Tom' It is situated about eighteen miles from Newbern. We passed only a few houses during the day....[3/7] Several companies went out to picket the woods surrounding the plantation...Pickets were called in about three PM as the main body of the army had returned from Trenton where they made a reconnaissance. No force was found there worthy of mention. Gen Palmers division advanced on the same place by way of the Trent road, has signaled his position last ever that Prince (our commander) might know the relative positions of the camps....We marched through a long swamp perhaps three miles. Such mud and water as is never seen in the Old Bay State. One member of our Regt fell in a hole beside the road so deep as to need help in getting out and was in danger of being drowned he lost his gun. ...[3/8]Arrived in camp at 3 am having marched all night being ten hours in making an advance of eight miles. This was owing to the heavy loaded teams being unable to extricate themselves. Had to help such a team through...A squad of men under command of Lieut Morton was sent out by Col to drive in some cattle for beef...Several negroes male & female came into camp. This morning as one of Co. C's men were guarding an unruly prisoner he was obliged to strike him and even prick him with his bayonet to make him sit down. The prisoner had been captured before by the cavalry under somewhat singular circumstances. He was mounted probably belonging to a guerilla band and being hotly pursued by the cavalry rode to a blacksmith shop and when his pursuers came up found him pounding a piece of cold iron claiming to be a blacksmith, but he forgot to take off his spurs. He was arrested for the second time now all other prisoners were paroled he was brought to Newbern again...[3/9] the infantry has not been out more than ten miles. The cavalry having visited Swansborough, Onslow, and neighboring places captured a few prisoners. The battery and part of the train moved to the road..." Much more. A wonderfully lengthy letter with good daily detail from this Mass soldier.
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