Author Archives: Jason Tomberlin

1 August 1862: “Merrett is an old man-of-warsman; his discipline, courage, and patriotism would not brook inaction when his ship was in actual battle.”

Item description: “Letter from Commander Woodhull, U. S. Navy, to Commodore Wilkes, U. S. Navy, commending Gunner’s Mate John Merrett for devotion to duty in engagement at Harrison’s Landing.” To read more from the Official Records of the Union and … Continue reading

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27 July 1862: “Started this morning & marched about 4 miles then had to wait till 4 PM for a Bridge to be built…”

Item description: Newton Wallace, Company I, 27th Massachusetts Infantry, comments on his company’s movements while in eastern North Carolina, near New Bern. The march was a part of the Union Army’s expedition from New Bern to Trenton and Pollocksville. See … Continue reading

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26 July 1862: “…started this morning & marched about 5 miles when the advance surprised a Picket Headquarters & drove them off..”

Item description: Newton Wallace, Company I, 27th Massachusetts Infantry, comments on his company’s movements while in eastern North Carolina, near New Bern. The march was a part of the Union Army’s expedition from New Bern to Trenton and Pollocksville. See … Continue reading

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25 July 1862: “…had orders to be ready to march this afternoon with 3 days rations…”

Item description: Newton Wallace, Company I, 27th Massachusetts Infantry, comments on his company’s movements while in eastern North Carolina, near New Bern. The march was a part of the Union Army’s expedition from New Bern to Trenton and Pollocksville. See … Continue reading

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21 July 1862: “MAP of Marches Made July 21′, 1862 and July 4th 1863″

Item description: Newton Wallace, Company I, 27th Massachusetts Infantry, drew this map of the marches he made while in North Carolina with the Union Army. Item citation: Diary commencing Oct. 14, 1861 – ending Sept. 20th, 1863 / Newton Wallace, … Continue reading

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4 July 1862: “…Battalion line was Formed & Declaration of Independence Read…”

Item description: Newton Wallace, Company I, 27th Massachusetts Infantry, wrote this description of how he spent July 4th, 1862, in his diary. Wallace and his regiment were in occupied North Carolina, camped in tents “on the Old Fair Ground” in … Continue reading

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1 July 1862: “…McClellan is reported mortally wounded. His army is fighting for existence. It is at bay and desperate.”

Item description: The Wilmington Daily Journal of 1 July 1862 included this update of action near Richmond, Virginia. Containing an erroneous report of Union General George B. McClellan’s mortal wound, the article presents a somewhat upbeat outlook on what would … Continue reading

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29 June 1862: “The west or right bank of James River is entirely in the hands of the rebels. Nearly the whole power of the Southern Confederacy is within a few miles of us.”

Item description: “Report of Commander [John] Rodgers, U. S. Navy, of the sending the submarine propeller back to Fortress Monroe for further orders.” The report discusses naval actions in support of the Union Army’s movements during the Seven Days Battle, … Continue reading

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28 June 1862: “THE RICHMOND BATTLE — ENEMY DEFEATED — THEY BURN THEIR STORES — CONFEDERATE SUCCESS — OUR WOUNDED ARRIVING — YORK RIVER RAILROAD AND BATTERIES CAPTURED — NO PRISONERS REPORTED”

Item description: The Wilmington Daily Journal of 28 June 1862 included this report, received by telegraph, of military action around Richmond, Virginia. The article was published on the fourth day of the Seven Days Battles. Item citation: The Daily Journal. … Continue reading

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12 June 1862: “1. When slaves are taken from the possession of their legal masters, by violence offered by armed men and negroes, what redress shall be afforded to the owners and what protection for the future?”

Item description: This letter was written by Edward Stanly, Military Governor of North Carolina, in response to a request for information from Edwin Stanton, United States Secretary of War. In it Stanly asks for guidance on governing the relationships between … Continue reading

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