We remained in camp about two weeks before we took up another march, and this march was back to Johns Island. A courier came dashing into camp suddenly, bringing news that the enemy had landed in force on Johns Island, and that the gunboats were advancing put he Stone River. The long roll was sounded, 3 days rations were gotten ready, and in an hours time we were on the march.
We are again at camp, having been for the last 8 days on the road with prisoners. We left Wilmington about dusk on the 23rd and travelled all night, reaching Goldsboro next morning about 8 o’clock, stayed here only a few moments when we ran though on the same train for Tarboro, reach her late in the evening. I found Tarboro to be one of the prettiest places that I ever saw, and, from appearances, seemed to to be a place of wealth. Beautiful residences, surrounded by shady yards, bounded the principal street.
Last night, we were aroused about 12 o’clock by the long roll, and we rolled out of bed much to our dissatisfaction, pulled on our clothes in a hurry, ran out and fell in ranks with guns and accouterments, but it proved to be a false alarm, so far as we were concerned, since we did not leave camp. But the Yankees landed about eight miles below us and burned the North Carolina salt works retiring as soon as they had burned the works. Nothing new today. We catch some fish out of my beautiful river.
We are now located in splendid quarters, just evacuated by Martin’s North Carolina Brigade1, but we expect to leave them soon. This evening orders arrived to leave for Weldon again, and we again marched to Wilmington, and again as before the order was countermanded, and we returned cursing the inconstancy of a soldier’s life. It is now thought we will be kept here sometime. The rest of the brigade has gone on to Weldon. General W.S. Walker is now in command of it, Vice General Evans, lately injured by a fall from a buggy.
We are in camp two miles from Wilmington. Will leave in a day or two for Weldon between which place and Tarboro it is reported we are destined for the present to confront General Burnside1 demonstration on the Peninsular in anticipation of an attack on Richmond from that direction. We marched to Wilmington to take the cars for Weldon, but the order was countermanded and we returned.
I have just returned from home on furlough of twenty days. Had a very pleasant time. On my way back to my regiment, which I had left in camp at Green Pond, S.C. I learned that they were under way for Wilmington, N.C. and probably thence to Virginia. I immediately gave chase and arriving at Charleston, I spent the night there and took the cars next day for Wilmington. I learned on arriving at this place that I had already outstripped my command and had passed the regiment on the road in the night. A very wet day, raining continually.
The first expedition was to Pocotaligo, from there to Port Royal Ferry. We were lying quietly in camp with nothing to do but sleep, eat, drill and run about the country, when a courier came dashing up to the headquarters bringing information of the Yankees landing at Port Royal Ferry and marching towards Pocotaligo, to cut the railroads, said to be several thousand strong, with orders for us to repair immediately to Pocotaligo to resist the advance.
Having failed to keep up my diary on account of the regiment being sent out on detached duty, and not returning to camp, I all begin anew detailing as briefly as possible our employment during the interval. We were again order to Stock’s Causeway to work on the breastworks, and we have been employed every day since putting up a fort at Burnett Farm. Work four hours each day with spades, wheelbarrow,etc. and the rest of the day is at our own disposal, which we spent in various ways. Some hunting, fishing and loafing at camp.
Feb. 25th - Tonight we received marching orders to cook one days rations and start by sun up in the morning for Stock’s Causeway, ten miles distance.
Feb. 26th - We left camp this morning in light marching trim and soon marched over ten miles of sandy road, without any occurrence of interest, and found on our arrival at our destination (the plantation of Dr. Jeride) that we were brought here to work.
We remained in Johns Island some 3 weeks making our stay about two months in this camp. Nothing of any consequence occurring except the reorganization, in which the Regiment enlisted for the war, all over 35 years of age and under 18 being exempted. R.S. Means was elected Major, vice, Major Mills. The Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel were reelected. Captain Wilson being exempt by his age, went home, though greatly against the wish of the company, to which he had endeared himself by many kind acts, and our 1st Lieutenant J.W. Avery, was elected Captain by the unanimous vote of the company.