THE REBEL FLOATING BATTERY MERRIMAC, HAS BEEN MAKING SAD HAVAC AMONG OUR VESSELS IN THE VICINITY OF NORFOLK.” CHARLES A. DAVIS, 23RD MASS. INFANTRY.

 “ THE REBEL FLOATING BATTERY MERRIMAC, HAS BEEN MAKING SAD HAVAC AMONG OUR VESSELS IN THE VICINITY OF NORFOLK.” CHARLES A. DAVIS, 23RD MASS. INFANTRY.

(Civil War – Battle of New Bern) Davis, Charles A. A four page autographed letter signed and dated March 11 and 16, 1862 with the original mailing envelope and an imperial CVS photograph of Charles A, Davis, 23rd Mass. Infantry, 1st Brigade, Company D-Cst Division. The letter is written from Charles A. Davis to his cousin at New Bedford, Mass. in a patriotic envelope with the “Death to Traitors” from New Bern, North Carolina. The transmittal envelope is in 2 pieces with the Scott stamp #65, rose color, bust of Washington, August 1861 issue present but not attached. The letter was mailed from the battlefield of Newbern, N.C. ib 3/16/1862. It was received and postmarked New York on 3-25-23. Being mailed on it was received and postmarked New Bedford, Mass., on 3-26-1862. The patriotic stationary is illustrated with a military figure carrying a flag with the word EXCELSIOR written across it and YOUNG AMERICA OFF FOR THE WAR printed underneath.

The photograph was taken at the studio of J.D. Crane, with his address as No. 63 Dwight St. Holyoke, Mass.

Letter in full:

On board Schr Hilander

Tuesday evening Mah. 11, 1862

Dear Sarah,

I received your your letter the 3rd inst. And now improve this opportunity of answering it. We are again on board the old transport, having embarked last Thursday afternoon the 6th. After being on shore a month, to a day, although it did not seem half so long. We have got recruited up again, and are now bound on another expedition, as near as I can find out, our destination is Newbern, some 24 hours sail from Hatteras. All the troops were embarked the same day that our regt. was. We are glad to get on board again, for the island was an unhealthy place, and the water was very unwholesome and we were half starved while there and drilled most to death too. You no doubt have before this, heard all about the Roanoke fight, and I presume you have heard from me by Father or Otes. So that I think that whatever I should write about it will be an old story to you. So I guess I will try to fill this sheet with other matters. This morning the fleet got under weigh and proceeded down the sound, in the direction of Hatteras. The Steamer New York with the 25th Mass. on board, took us and four other Schooners in tow and after Augging and pulling us about 2 ½ hours managed to get aground, so the vessels it tow had to ___ loose from her, and go on their own ___. Sail was made on our vessel and we got up to the rest of the fleet which were all anchored some 6 or 8 miles from Hatteras) about sunset. Probably to morrow we shall proceed on our course again. There is a mail for us at the inlet, which I hope we shall receive to morrow, as I am expecting some letters from home. All sorts of rumors come to us, and we cant tell anything about the truth of them until we get the papers. Several times we gave heard that Norfolk was taken, and to night a report has reached us, that the rebel floating battery Merrimac, has been making sad havac among our vessels in the vicinity of Norfolk. It is reported that the frigate Cumberland was sunk, and the Minnesota badly disabled and 500 of our men killed. It has caused a gloom to settle upon all on board. All threaten vengeance upon them and say that we will pay them off in a day or so. We expect to have a hard fight, but all are full of courage and patriotism and are sure that we shall win the battle, I dont know as I am “Spoiling for a fight” but shall endeavor to do my duty. There is nothing of interest to write as our life has been very monotonous lately. Several of our Co. are sick in the Hospital on the island, and also are on their way home. One who was sounded, John Battles, by name, who has a furlough of two months. The other one named Stevens, a Providence chap has been discharged, as unfit for duty. He was the same, that Lieut. Hart punished so severely at Annapolis. He has not found much sympathy among us, as he was a real contemptible shirk.

If I come out of this fight all right I shall immediately write home to Father or somebody that they need not be anxious about me.

So as I have written all I can think of at present I will close. Love to Uncle and Aunt and I remain your affectionate cousin Charlie.

Direct as before.

2nd letter on same letter-sheet:

Mar. 16 New Bern

As I have another item of news to communicate I concluded to scratch it down. Gen Burnsides forces occupy Newbern after a hard fought battle. As you will soon see by the reports. I dont know how much our losses is, but think it is heavy. Think our regt. suffered as much,, if not more than anybody. The enemy were entrenched very strongly, They had a long line of entrenchments nearly a mile and mounting 13 pieces of artillery. Our regt. marched bravely up to the front of them and blasted away. Our Company suffered very severely . Walter A Potter killed as shell took the top of his head right off. Charles Cavanagh killed a grape shot struck him in his breast. Capt.J,B, Bowman wounded slightly in his hand. Samuel Johnson wounded in the leg. It has to be amputated. Alex Hillman arm broke by a musket ball. Noah Luke wounded in his shoulder. Ed Jennings in his arm. Artemas More wounded in back he was lying on his face, a piece of shell or a musket ball grazed his back and wounded him slightly. All of these are members of our Co. We all had narrow escapes. The battle of Roanoke was a mere skirmish compared to it. Although this lasted about 2 hours. I think the enemy's lose was very heavy for when we entered the battery there horses were lying around, killed and wounded in every direction by scores. I escaped without a scratch. I am very thankful to God for his goodness and tender mercy in watching over me in such an hour although I feel that I do not realize his goodness as I might. I must close. I felt that I could not send this without saying a word concerning my safety. Your aff. Cou. Charles

The Civil War index notes the following: “the total strength was 1,393. Co. C came from Glouster, Co. D from New Bedford. They started for Annapolis on Nov. 11 and joined the “Burnside expedition.” The first expedition was against Roanoke Island in Feb. 1862 and was a success. Then followed the movement to New Berne and several engagements in the vicinity. The list of Massachusetts Soldiers , Sailors and Marines in the Civil War and A record of the Twenty-Third Regiment Mass. includes fuller details of each of those wounded or killed which are mentioned. The severity of the battle is shown by the early discharge or reassignment to non-combat roles, p. 69. lists the casualties from Co. D. When the medical staff (p.99) visited the battleground at New Berne and found the burying-ground, only the grave of Potter could be located. The earliest accounts in the North were in the New York Herald on March 19th and 20th issues.

Two letters on a folded sheet, making four pages is very legible and in vg cond. The Crane photo has great contrast and also in vg cond.