March 15, 1862
Dear Father:
As you have probably heard we have taken this town as the second part of the part which is assigned to us. Fifty-nine cannon and six hundred prisoners have fallen into our hands besides an immense amount of stores of every kind. Since I wrote you last I took part in a little expedition to Columbia which I thought would fill a letter, but I have no time now to write about it.
After a pleasant sail from Hatteras in which by the way the Signal Corps were of great service, we arrived at Slocombs Creek where we anchored for the night. I forgot to mention that I command a station now, General Burnside's. We landed early in the morning and marched all day through the mud and got about eight miles. I was fortunate enough to get a shelter for the night.
The next morning we heard fighting ahead and as the flag men were tired out carrying the things they stopped to rest and I pushed ahead. The shells and shot began to fall around me pretty thick, and I met stragglers coming back. A little further on and I came across the twenty-seventh Massachusetts. They were directly in front of the battery and about twenty rods from it. I saw a dead man near me and took his gun and ammunition and went in. I experienced no sick feelings as I expected to, not even a desire to "dodge bullets." I fired some ten rounds one of which I think took effect when the regiment was ordered to fall back on account of want of ammunition.
I kept along the lines until I found the 25th, when I took my old place for the day. We occupied the ground that the 27th had occupied when we were ordered to charge, which we did together with the 24th and carried the battery. We then pushed forward again and came up with the enemy whom we charged again. They scattered in every direction.
We took some prisoners. Forward was the order again, and we took up our march for Newbern. When we came in sight, we thought it was all in flames but only a few buildings were destroyed. The bridge across the river was destroyed, so we crossed in boats. I stayed with Company B all night and came on board the Alice Price in the morning.
Company B lost two men killed and three wounded. Orson Fiske and C.A. Rogers were killed; Hadley lost his right arm, Davenport had his arm broken, and Tilton was hit in the stomach by a piece of shell. Fiske was shot immediately in front of me.
I may get a mention in the report. The Major of our regiment has resigned. Captain Clark told me last night that as he suffered some from rheumatism that he thought some of resigning, and he told me to get the command of the company in that case. Don't mention this as it was told me in confidence.
I have got or rather had any quantity of trophies. I now have a gun, a knife, a hatchet, a quilt, a coat, a pair of pants and several little things.
I don't know whether we shall advance further or not. Remember me to all my friends.
Yours truly,
W.F. Draper
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