This Regiment was, in fact, what its name represents, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia; not one drafted man was in its ranks. It was made up almost entirely of men from Bristol and Plymouth counties; young men who were raised in good homes and educated in the schools of Massachusetts. Quite a number were attending either high schools, seminaries, or colleges, or were graduates of the same. When the call was made for three hundred thousand men they left home, not for what they would get, but for what they would save; they went not for pay, but from principle; they went not because they were spoiling for a fight, but to save the country which they believed would be spoiled should they stay at home. It should be remembered that at this time there was no large bounties paid to recruits; indeed, few towns paid but a small bounty, and many towns paid no bounty to induce men to go to war; therefore, those who enlisted in 1862 enlisted from patriotic principles.

It is fair to say that the Third Regiment was composed of as good men as ever shouldered a musket or wore a sword. Many of the officers had seen service in the three months’ regiments and in the State militia, and therefore were the better prepared to do efficient service in the nine months’ campaign. Both officers and men were loyal soldiers, true patriots, ever ready to serve their country and defend Old Glory. So far as known each officer and private always responded to orders, and faithfully performed the duties confided to him, whether pleasant and easy, or hazardous and hard. Each went when and where ordered, and did his duties without grumbling or “showing the white feather.” If at any time one was afraid he had the good sense to keep it to himself. If any one felt that he was selected to fill a position of unusual danger, he was wise enough to keep his own counsel, do his duty to the best of his ability, and acquit himself like a man.

This regiment was recruited in the months of August and September, 1862, and as soon as each company was filled it went into Camp Joe Hooker. This camp, situated in the town of Lakeville, some three miles south of the village of Middleboro, occupied a large field near a beautiful pond, which was accessible to all who wished to enjoy the luxury of a daily bath. The camp was ample for forty companies to drill at one time. Here the companies were drilled in the setting-up drill, company movements, and practical guard duty. On the 23d of September the companies were mustered into the United States service by a regular army officer, and soon after were furloughed for one week, that they might visit their friends before going to the front. All but two men returned within the time of their furlough, one of whom deserted the service; the other was returned by the provost guard after the regiment reached Newbern, N. C.

October 22d the regiment left Camp Joe Hooker and marched to the Lakeville depot, where they took cars for Boston. Marching to Long Wharf the right wing embarked on the steam transport Merrimac, and the left on the steamer Mississippi, for Newbern. Each of these steamers had on board one other full regiment, so that each steamer was taking out fifteen hundred men. One has only to imagine the crowded condition of the ships, when nearly the whole number were on deck at the same time, yet during the voyage there were no rows, no curse words, and no swaggering braggadocio. The sail down Boston Bay and around Cape Cod was anything but agreeable; many of the boys unwillingly paid their respects to Old Neptune. The remainder of the voyage was over a sea as smooth as a mill pond.

Captain Baxter, of Hyannis, captain of the Merrimac, was the right man for the place he occupied. A born commander, he easily controlled not only his own officers and crew, but all on shipboard. There was no want that he could not supply. Was there contention as to which companies should first be served with cooked rations? He could determine to the satisfaction of all. Was there a clamor for fresh water? He would say, “Boys, I am condensing sixteen hundred gallons of water for you every twenty-four hours, and here you are shouting as if you were in an old-fashioned Methodist meeting,” and the boys would answer, “Yes, captain, but the water is too hot to drink,” and he would reply, “I have on board fourteen hundred barrels of pure Cochituate water, which I brought for you, call one of your officers and break out as much as you please.” Then taking his violin he would play and sing some home song which would pacify every discordant element and make everyone feel happy.

Early on the morning of October 22d the shores of North Carolina were seen like a cloud rising from the ocean, and Captain Baxter remarked, “There is the land I expected to make at six o’clock this morning.” When within three miles of Beaufort harbor we encountered a strong southeast gale and it was with difficulty that the pilot boarded our ship. As it was his boat was smashed into pieces. When entering the harbor we were shown Fort Macon, which General Burnside in his early campaign had taken, and which Federal troops now occupied. At Morehead City we embarked on flat open cars for Newbern, and were shown the early battle grounds where General Burnside contested his right to enter and hold Newbern.

Leaving the cars at the depot the Third Regiment marched to its camping ground on the east bank of the Neuse River, and near the city of Newbern. Here the regiment was given a hearty welcome by Captain Hart, of the Twenty-third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. This officer had erected tents and put the camp in fine order for the Third Regiment. Colonel Lee, also of the Twenty-seventh, extended greetings. Later on the Third was for a short time attached to his brigade, until transferred to the brigade of Col. J. Jourdan, where it continued during its term of service.

Camp equipage and arms were received in a short time and the regiment was drilled several hours daily. Nearly all the drilling was the manual of arms, battalion and brigade movements. The arms distributed to the Third were not up to the standard. They were said to be Austrian rifle muskets captured from a blockade runner. Great improvements were made on them by the regimental and company armorers; yet the Confederate loss promised little gain to the Union forces, except in the moral force of showing that the regiment had arms and was prepared to use them at close quarters, at least when occasion required. These arms were duly condemned by an inspecting officer and efforts made to exchange them for serviceable ones, but without success.

A variety of duties attested the intelligence and endurance of the regiment as a whole, and of its companies on detached service. October 30th Companies A and B were detached for picket duty at Newport Barracks, where they remained for more than a month, during which time they with a platoon of cavalry and a battery made an expedition to Peltier’s Mills, and for the first time learned the superiority of army shoes on the march in contrast to stylish boots.

Picket duty taught the boys how to find their own beef and pork, and occasionally honey, which abounded in that part of North Carolina. In garrison duty, reconnoissances, engineering work, exhausting marches sometimes with the thermometer ranging over one hundred in the shade and the dust inches deep, and on the field of battle, the skill and bravery of the regiment was well displayed. One company sent to build a bridge over Bachelor’s Creek were so efficient in construction work that they finished their work and returned to camp in two days, notwithstanding it was supposed to take one company a month to accomplish the job. Many of the men of that company were bridge builders before the war.

Thirty men sent to do picket duty at Creek No. 1 held that station for three months, although they were constantly in fear of being surprised, and nearly all the time slept with their muskets beside them.

November 11th our pickets at Deep Gully were attacked and the Third Regiment were under arms all night. November 30th Company I was detailed for duty at Plymouth and Elizabeth City, N. C., where it did garrison duty five months, and suffered special casualties during a siege by the Confederates, losing in killed, wounded, and prisoners nearly thirty men. (See history of Company I.) At different times nearly every company in the regiment were detailed for picket or special duty. (See Company history.) During the month of December, 1862, the Third Regiment rendered good service in connection with the expedition made by General Foster into the interior of North Carolina, the object being to cut the Confederate means of supplies by the Wilmington and Goldsboro railroad.

The following is a verbatim report of General Foster to the War Department. The accompanying sketch will help the reader to understand the march of the expedition and the battles fought.

From the report of Maj.-Gen. J. G. Foster, to the Joint Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War. Copied from the report of that Committee, printed by the Government, supplement, part 2, page 11, of General Foster’s report:

While General Foster’s report is a most excellent one, still it must be remembered that it is a report made from the standpoint of the whole expedition, and deals little with particulars only as seen in battles. It remains for the writer of the Third Regiment to state the part taken by that regiment in the expedition.

On Dec. 11, 1862, at six A. M., in a dense fog, the Third Regiment formed line on the left of General Lee’s brigade, the third brigade in the column. No secrets were withheld from the boys. Everyone knew that a march was before them, that fighting was expected and hardships were anticipated, yet every officer and man cheerfully responded to the order, “March!”

The obstacles mentioned by General Foster in his report were great trees felled across the road for several hundred yards, and it was impossible to pass until such obstacles were removed. This was soon accomplished by our “Black Pioneer Brigade.” Another obstacle was that nearly every bridge which crossed creeks and rivers was guarded by rebel pickets, who fired the bridges just before they retreated, making it impossible for either infantry or artillery to pass until the bridges were rebuilt, save in a few instances where the rivers were fordable. Over some parts of the march great turpentine trees were on fire, which falling across the road made marching that way quite dangerous; yet through fire and water the expedition made twelve miles the first day, notwithstanding our skirmishers were in constant action with the rebel pickets. Never were men more glad than the Third Regiment when ordered to bivouac for the night, and never was mattress or feather bed more acceptable than “Mother Earth” to the boys that night. Both fires and loud talking were forbidden. All save the men on picket duty slept; slept like tired children.

Friday the Third was detailed to guard the baggage train, which it faithfully did until twelve at night. All this day our advance were face to face with the rebel pickets, which in some instances showed stubborn resistance; in others but a semblance of resistance, but always burned the bridges they were defending before retiring towards Kinston. These men seemed to be possessed more with the spirit of burning than with the spirit of patriotism.

Consulting the sketch map you will find that when the column had passed Muscleshell Creek and Resolution Bayou the army had taken the Trent road (the most direct road from Newbern to Kinston) until near Bear Creek. It was from this point that General Foster “pushed a cavalry force directly toward Kinston, which surprised the main picket guard of the enemy and drove it in, into its fortified position south of Kinston. Under cover of this feint the main body was moved rapidly by the left so as to strike Southwest Creek at the most westerly of the four bridges that cross it. As anticipated this bridge was found weakly guarded. While occupying this guard in front a regiment was thrown across the creek on a milldam, which by a vigorous and unexpected charge captured the artillery guarding the bridge, and thus opened it to our advance.” It has been learned on good authority that the regiment which made the above mentioned charge was the Ninth New Jersey. This bit of information can be found in the Adjutant-General’s report of Massachusetts in the report of the Twenty-third Massachusetts Regiment and reads like this: “The Ninth New Jersey crossed through the old mill, charged the enemy, captured two pieces of artillery, and the rebels retreated.” General Foster says, “this was late at night.” “At daylight the following morning (Sunday) we advanced upon Kinston.” It should be remembered that the column after passing Wine Creek abandoned the main road leading to Kinston, took an unfrequented turpentine road through the woods, and came upon the right flank of the Confederate army, which was in line on the opposite side of the swamp, where their batteries were posted to resist our advance on Kinston. The road through this swamp was as straight as an arrow and covered with water nearly a foot deep. The position of the Third Regiment on the opposite side of the swamp was near the hospital and the sight of the dead and wounded was anything but reassuring, as they were carried to the rear; yet when the order was given “Forward!” not a man flinched, and the Third Regiment went through the swamp on the double-quick. The first brigade having turned the rebels’ right, and captured a battery and several hundred prisoners there was little left for the Third to do but to join in the shout of victory, view the prisoners, sympathize with the wounded in the Old Baptist Church, view the dead in the woods, and march into Kinston. As we marched over the beautiful bridge which spans the Neuse River, we saw the wise generalship of General Foster in coming upon Kinston through the swamp instead of the main road, where the rebels had erected earthworks and mounted guns, which would command the road for more than two miles.

Our place of bivouac in Kinston was on the park, which was enclosed by a rail fence, five rails high. Captain Grant, of Company C, Third Regiment, being officer of the day, gave strict orders that only the topmost rails should be taken. This order was so strictly obeyed that in the morning not a vestige of the fence remained; each man had taken only the top rail.

Words fail to describe the things seen on that park the next morning, feather and straw beds, mattresses, pillows, sheets, and bed clothes of nearly all kinds and description, china tea-sets, bottles of perfumery, and almost everything in the housekeeping line. Tobacco and cigars could be had without the asking. Feathers were seen all over the ground, indicating that someone had been engaged in the poultry business on an immense scale during the night.

The bugle sounded very early and the command recrossed the bridge and resumed the march towards Goldsboro. An old colored woman standing by the roadside raised her hands as we were passing and shouted, “You honeys of Lincoln’s army need fear nothing from nobody between here and Richmond! De good Lawd bless you all!”

At Whitehall we again encountered the Confederate forces, which General Foster handsomely outwitted. He gave them the impression that his whole force was engaged, while the fact was that only a few regiments with nearly all his batteries were in action; the bulk of the command were pushing on toward Goldsboro. Failing to find any way for the infantry to cross the river and burn the gunboat in the process of building, orders were given for all the batteries to concentrate their fire on the gunboat, which was soon destroyed. A few men were left to keep up the impression that it was General Foster’s purpose to cross the river, the main army marching rapidly on toward Goldsboro.

At Everettsville we again came upon the rebel pickets, who fled without firing a gun. Shells from our battery hastened their retreat toward the railroad bridge. This they crossed and joined the main force, which so far as we could learn were in the woods near the railroad. After shelling the woods for nearly three hours, the Third Regiment was ordered to take position near the Wilmington railroad and parallel with it. Here it remained until a railroad monitor was destroyed by our batteries and the railroad bridge burned; then we were ordered to stack arms and proceed to tear up the track and burn the ties. This order was executed with such vigor that in less than one hour three miles of ties were on fire. Had the rebels not lost their heads they could have captured the Third Regiment, for it was without arms. As it was, Captain Marble, of Company A, barely escaped being captured by a rebel picket post in the woods, not a hundred yards from the railroad.

After executing its orders the regiment was ordered to its arms and marched back over the hill. While here it was reported that the enemy was advancing with a flag of truce and a company of cavalry went to receive it. Judge our surprise when it was fired upon by a rebel brigade, ambushed on the opposite side of the railroad. Immediately the brigade crossed the railroad and charged on Morrison’s and Belger’s batteries. At this time the writer was standing near Captain Belger and heard that officer say, “There they come, now we will have some fun,” and, without waiting for orders from General Lee, the commander of the only brigade then on the field (the so-called rear guard), Captain Belger gave the order, “Action front, double shotted canister! Load! Aim! Fire!” At this time the enemy were within two hundred yards of his guns and the Third Regiment was supporting this and Morrison’s Battery, with their two batteries firing upon the advancing brigade. I need not say that they were long in wiping it out. Two other brigades which charged on the left centre of our brigade were soon driven back in disorder.

It is supposed that seeing Morrison’s and Belger’s batteries still on the field, they thought it a fine thing to capture those two popular batteries; it being quite dark they did not notice that these batteries were supported by infantry. Moreover, they had opened a mill gate, which created a torrent through which the batteries must pass in going from the field, but they were too badly punished to follow out their plans. When the Third came to the stream they found it a roaring torrent; yet through the icy cold water they went, and when the whole brigade with the batteries were over, we were only too glad to be told that we would have to march ten miles before bivouacking for the night. At nine o’clock we reached the main army and laid down in our frozen clothes until the following morning, when we began our march toward Newbern. We reached Newbern without molestation on the twenty-first day of December, having been absent eleven days, and having marched over one hundred and fifty miles.

In the engagements had the only casualties suffered by the Third as reported, were six wounded. By special order of General Foster the names of “Kinston,” “Whitehall,” and “Goldsboro” were inscribed upon the regimental flag.

December 30th the Third Regiment was attached to General Heckman’s brigade in anticipation of going further south, but when inspected by Captain Abel, of General Heckman’s staff, the arms were found to be of such poor quality that they were for the second time condemned, and failing to get them replaced by good arms, General Heckman sent the following communication to Colonel Richmond:

General Foster says, “The Third Regiment always obeys orders and performs all its duties promptly and without grumbling.” General Prince says, “The Third Massachusetts Regiment and its commander can be trusted with important duties with a certainty that they will be performed promptly and well.” Colonel Jourdan says, “The Third Regiment is always ready for duty.”

On January 28th the regiment moved to Camp Jourdan, near Fort Totten. This location was not a desirable one; neither was the ground in a condition for the dwelling place of men. It was considered a very unhealthy locality, but it was one of the most important points in the defences of Newbern. The first thing done was the removal of more than five hundred cords of the refuse from stables, dumped there. Many ditches were made, the camp graded and trees planted until the medical director pronounced it one of the cleanest, prettiest, and most healthy camps near Newbern, and he also made a report to that effect, complimenting the regimental commander and medical staff highly.

March 6th the regiment was ordered to go with General Prince’s division on an expedition into Jones and Onslow counties, where they remained five days. The Third with other troops under command of Colonel Richmond was twice detailed for important detached service, and received the thanks of General Prince for the able manner in which the duty was performed. Several hundred prisoners were taken and brought to Newbern. While the men were quite affable, the officers were very sullen and did not care to talk with “Yankee mudsills.”

In the attack at Deep Gully, March 14th, and also on Fort Anderson, on the opposite side of the Neuse, the Third were under marching orders until the next day at one P. M., and then went on a reconnoissance to Pollocksville, returning to camp on the evening of the 16th in the rain, with the mud more than a foot deep. So muddy were the roads that the regiment was eight hours marching ten miles.

On the 17th Companies A, B, K, and H were ordered to march to Deep Gully for picket duty, where they remained eight days. They were relieved by the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New York Regiment, and marched back to Newbern.

From April 2d on until the time of leaving this department (except when on expeditions), the Third Regiment furnished a detail of one hundred and fifty men daily for intrenchment work.

April 5th orders were received to march to Foster’s Wharf with three days’ rations. The regiment was there on time, expecting to go to Washington, N. C., but at six P. M., orders were received from General Foster to go back to camp.

April 7th at six P. M. orders were received to march immediately with three days’ rations, and the regiment proceeded to Foster’s Wharf, were transported across the Neuse River, and bivouacked for the night. The next day we joined a column commanded by General Spinola, and made a forced march to Blount’s Creek, rear of Washington, to attempt to break the siege and relieve General Foster, who was there at the time. At the point of attack it was found that the rebels occupied a strong position on a hill, the only approach being a narrow defile with heavy woods on either side. These conditions at the outset forbade hope of success. An engagement was made, the Third taking part in the movement, but they were met by so fierce a fire from the rebel batteries on the hill that it was thought expedient to retire. Captain Belger’s horse was shot under him, and he was severely wounded, yet as he passed Colonel Richmond he said, “Give it to them, Colonel, we’ll pay them off for this.” Later we were informed that the rebels, believing that the Yankees would play some Yankee trick on them, left their position from fear of a flank movement. Of one thing we were assured, the siege of Washington was raised, and General Foster returned to Newbern. This expedition was regarded as the most adventurous and exhausting of any in which the Third participated during its term of service. More than thirty miles were covered by a hurried march and the battle fought on the same day. So exhausted were the men that several had to be assisted to the place of bivouac for the night.

April 13th Company D was sent on an expedition by steamer, forty miles down the Neuse River, to explore the opposite shore. On leaving, General Foster said, “I want you to go down the river on a pleasure trip; it may be, however, that you will find other than pleasure somewhere.” The company obeyed orders, but finding no rebels, it returned the following night.

April 16th the Third Regiment received orders to march with a column under General Prince to Core Creek, where it remained six days, and was engaged in several skirmishes with the enemy. It was this movement combined with another column on the opposite side of the Neuse River, which caused the rebels to evacuate their positions in front of Washington, North Carolina, thereby relieving the Forty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia from their uncomfortable position.

May 11th four companies were detailed for picket duty at Deep Gully, where they remained ten days.

May 23d orders were received at eight P. M. to march immediately to a certain point near Batchelder’s Creek, and await orders. Arriving at the point indicated they rested on arms. This hurried movement was made in consequence of our pickets being driven in, and Colonel Jones, commander of the Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania, being killed during the engagement. The enemy having retired during the night, the regiment was ordered back to Newbern. This march was made through the dust six inches deep, and with the thermometer one hundred and ten degrees in the shade. We arrived in Newbern at twelve o’clock, a tired, besmeared, dust covered lot of soldiers.

May 31st four companies marched to Deep Gully for picket duty, but being relieved by a detachment from Lee’s brigade, they returned to Newbern the same evening.

Newbern was twice threatened with assault, apparently for the purpose of retaking the city. The first occurred on the evening of Nov. 11, 1862, while the main army was absent on a reconnoitring march to Tarboro, in the northern part of the state, leaving the Third almost alone in the defence of the city. The regiment was under arms all night, and re-enforcements were brought up from Newport. The alarm was caused by a fierce attack made upon the pickets at Deep Gully, a few miles out on the Trent road, one man being killed and several wounded. The regiments that had been absent for nearly two weeks were now returning and the rebels withdrew the following day.

The second assault was made on March 14, 1863, operating from different directions; one by the way of the Trent road, the other approaching from across the Neuse River. The latter division was vigorously handled by the garrison at Fort Anderson, on the north bank of the river, and by gunboats, and finally repulsed. Many shells were thrown into the city, some of which tore up the ground occupied by the Third Regiment but a little time before as their camp. A flag of truce was sent asking the surrender of the city, but General Foster’s answer was, “If you want Newbern, come and take it.” These assaults seemed to be more like “feelers” of the Union strength than any serious menace to Newbern.

Various places were garrisoned and much picket duty done by the Third Regiment, besides the services already mentioned, which proved the fidelity of both officers and men, and the readiness of the regiment to measure up at all times to the trusts committed to its keeping.

Being ordered to Boston, Mass., the regiment left Newbern June 11, 1863. As they marched from their camp to the place of taking train and boat, they were escorted by the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New York Volunteers, preceded by the band of the Forty-ninth Massachusetts Regiment, General Foster and Colonel Jourdan honoring the column by a standing review. The Forty-fifth and Forty-first Massachusetts Regiments were in line on the other side of the Trent River, and cheered us with music and voice on our homeward journey. Seven companies went by rail to Morehead and embarked on the steamer S. R. Spaulding. Three companies with the sick went on board the steamer Tillie, at Newbern, and sailed by the way of Roanoake Sound. The voyage for the most part was rough and most of the officers were seasick until we rounded the shores of Cape Cod, when the sea became smooth, and new life was imparted to all.

Landing in Boston we received a very enthusiastic reception by her citizens and were escorted to the Common by the Forty-fourth Massachusetts Rifle Club. The Governor being absent, Adjutant-General Schouler reviewed the column from the State House steps, after which the regiment marched to Beach Street barracks and partook of a collation. At one P. M. the regiment took the cars for Camp Joe Hooker, but being furloughed on the train and ordered to report in camp on the 22d, each man turned his face toward the old home and the dear ones he had left there when he went to serve his country.

June 22d the regiment reported at camp, where it remained until the 26th and was mustered out of the service by Capt. J. K. Lawrence, being dismissed by a complimentary and affecting speech from Colonel Richmond. The men dispersed quietly, maintaining their excellent character and discipline to the last. Many of these men showed their patriotism by re-enlisting, some going the third and fourth time.

During the campaign the regiment was transported by steamer and railroad more than two thousand miles, and marched more than four hundred miles over the swampy roads of North Carolina, most of this being done during the inclement season. It bivouacked upon the ground without shelter when the water froze in canteens, and also marched when the thermometer ranged at one hundred and twelve degrees in the shade. During the most of the time more than two hundred men were furnished for extra duty, as mechanics, and quite a number were detailed as overseers of contrabands and other duties of a governmental nature. The regiment which left home with a roster of one thousand and fifteen men returned with nine hundred and twenty-seven.