“Skirmish at New Bern”
William A Moore
Battle of New Bern
Location: Washington, NC
Date: February 7th, 1864
Unit: Company E 58th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry
Provost Marshall Officer
Washington, NC
February 7th, 1864
Dear Sister,
I once more, take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you. I am twenty mile - [illegible] & hope these few lines will find you the same. The rebels attacked New Bern last Monday & were repulsed & fell back for reinforcements. Our loss was 1500 & the rebels much greater. At Bachelor’s Creek, the Rebs lost 600 killed & a great many wounded. Next time, I write I will tell you all about it. I am still with Captain Honkinson as his Chief Clerk. The Capt. wife & children are here now & will stay as long as he is in this department. Our regiment has most all reenlisted & will start for home on furlough in a few days.
I shall not enlist again. 3 years is long enough for me. My health is getting very good & I feel very well. You need not look for me [illegible] time is out. I have not received a letter from you in a month & I am very anxious to hear from you. I shall stay with the Captain as long as he is Provost Marshall. He jaunts me with all his business. I have an assistant clerk who helps me in doing the business. Write soon & tell me how you get along & what you are doing. Nothing more this time. Write soon.
Your Brother,
William A Moore
To Orsa V Moore
Write soon.
_______________________________________________________
William A Moore grew up in Pennsylvania and enlisted in the 58th Pennsylvania Company E on December 7th, 1861. By May 10th, 1862, the 58th Pennsylvania was on duty at Camp Hamilton; however, they liked to stay on the move. The 58th Pennsylvania, with Wiliam A Moore in tow, arrived in North Carolina on January 5th, 1863. They stayed pretty close to the New Bern area until April 5th, 1864 until they were ordered back to Virginia. The 58th Pennsylvania would be in many battles and small skirmishes including Drewrys Bluff, Cold Harbor, and even Petersburg.
This specific letter focuses on the time they were stationed near New Bern and is dated February 7th, 1864. North Carolina had lots of small skirmish activity between the Union and Confederates, especially in the later years of the War. Some of the last battles and skirmishes were actually fought in North Carolina.
One of these skirmishes is highlighted in the letter above. Moore’s letter states, “The rebels attacked New Bern last Monday and were repulsed and fell back for reinforcements. Our loss was 1500. The rebels much greater. At Batchelors Creek, the rebs lost 600 killed and a great many wounded.”
William A Moore played a role in these skirmishes and quickly moved up to a Corporal on March 3rd, 1862 and then to Sergeant on September 18th, 1862. He was discharged for promotion on August 17th, 1864.
Luckily, William A Moore survived the war and would go back home to be with his family.
