56th North Carolina Letter from George B. Dewese (Killed in Action at Globe Tavern, Va.) – Dewese Writing from “Camp Badger, N.C., Sept. 28th, 1862” Talks about Fighting Off the Enemy Blockading Vessels
Two legal size pages written in nice clear pencil:
“We came very near having an engagement with the Yankees the other day. Three of the blockading vessels they said come in 300 yards of the shore and they threw bomb shells at our camp. We were out drilling when they were firing. We were between the camp and the enemy and the shells were flying all around but there was nobody hurt. It was reported that the Yankees were landing in great force and we were ordered to load our guns immediately and go and meet them. 4 Companies went down to the shore but the vessels had moved off when they got there. The Yankees had better be careful for if they get into an engagement with the gallant 56th, they won’t know where they are for this is the most noble Regiment in the Confederate Service.”
A nice North Carolina Confederate letter.
#L9-28-62NC – Price $325
Camp Badger, N. C.
Sunday Sept. 28 /62
Dear Sister,
I now take my pencil in hand to inform you that I am well at this time and I hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. I received your letter day before yesterday and was glad to hear that you were all well except Johnny and I hope he is well by this time. I also received this paper that I am writing on and two stamps. I had begun to think there was something wrong for I had not got a letter for more than two weeks. I thought there was something wrong with the mail, but J. C. Bell gets his letters regularly. I think you might write once a week. Anyhow we came very near having an engagement with the Yankees the other day. Three of the blockading vessels they said come in 300 yards of the shore and they threw bomb shells at our camp. We were out drilling when they were firing. We were between the camp and the enemy and the shells were flying all around but there was nobody hurt. It was reported that the Yankees were landing in great force and we were ordered to load our guns immediately and go and meet them. 4 Companies went down to the shore but the vessels had moved off when they got there. The Yankees had better be careful for if they get into an engagement with the gallant 56th, they won’t know where they are for this is the most noble Regiment in the Confederate Service. That is in a retreat you may listen for a Newborn officer when this Regt is attacking the Yankees.
Calvin got a letter from Martha day before yesterday. She is fretting herself to death. Tell her that she might as well be easy for fretting will do no good. You wanted to know what clothes I wanted. I want 1 pair of pants & 1 shirt if you please. I believe that is all I want. Tell Matt Calvin that I want her to write to me as she promised to write to me a good while ago. I have nothing more of importance to write, & tell John Hayes and all the rest that went to Raleigh are still there yet. They were all getting on very well I believe. But Bill Osborne he was pretty bad off when we heard from him last. The Company is generally healthy at this time. They are talking about putting up winter quarters at Wilmington. They say if they do, furloughs will be granted to the men. I don’t know whether I will ever get home before the war is over or not. Nothing new at present. But remain your affectionate Brother,
George B. Dewese to M. C. Dewese
Excuse this scattering writing, if you please, for my thoughts are not collected.
