The following letters were written by August Robert (“Gust”) Nebinger (1834-1884), the son of Dr. Robert Nebinger (1796-1867) and Elizabeth Prowell (1799-1864) of York county, Pennsylvania. In 1860, Gust was a doctor living with shoemaker David Howe in Warrington Township, York County, Pennsylvania, with a Lewisberry postal address.

Gust first enlisted and mustered into state service September 11, 1862, as assistant surgeon for the 12th Pennsylvania Militia, and honorably discharged with his company September 27, 1862. His name sometimes appears as “A. Rox Nebinger” as “Rox” must have been a nickname and that is how he signed both of these letters. He then enlisted—voluntarily—and mustered into federal service at Chambersburg December 1, 1862, as assistant surgeon for the 158th Pennsylvania Infantry (aka “Drafted Militia”), and honorably discharged with the regiment August 12, 1863. He last enlisted in the field July 1, 1864, mustered into federal service July 8 as assistant surgeon with the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry (108th Pa), and honorably discharged with the regiment August 13, 1865.

Back in January 2020, I transcribed three other letters by Gust Nebinger, one after the failed Foster Expedition, another just before leaving New Bern in May 1863, and the 3rd from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where he was treating wounded from the Battle of Gettysburg in the “School House Hospital.” See: 1863: Augustus Robert Nebinger to Robert Nebinger.

Letter 1

New Bern, North Carolina
January 4th 1863
Sunday night 10 o’clock

Dear father,

From this southern camp I shall try and give you a short journal of our move from Suffolk, Va., to New Bern, N. C., our present stopping place.

At 6 o’clock a.m. Sunday, December 28, 1862 we left Suffolk on foot for a long march and did not much fancy the trip. Go by the Somerton Road and follow it for ___ miles. Stopped Saturday noon and had dinner of hard bread and water, rest one hour, then commenced our march through a truly southern country—sandy soil and pine lumber. Very few houses. Country mostly forest pine, hemlock, &c. Roads very muddy this day. Kept moving till 10 o’clock at night when we bivouacked for two hours and started. Encamped at 2 a.m. of the 29th, supper hard bread and coffee which was our fare during all the march. First day’s march many of the men gave out, the 158th [Pennsylvania] having few stragglers as any of the brigade. As for myself, I felt very tired after walking nearly 20 miles. This night built large fires of rails which were very convenient, being dry and small. Done very well but got a little cold.

29th—on the march by daylight and continued so all day through the same dreary country, enlivened by our passing through a place called Galesville about dusk. Also by our advance guard passing us on their return to Suffolk being composed of three companies of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. We learned from them that the river to which we were marching was but 3.5 miles distant, but the word soon passed along the lines that we were not on the shortest road to the river. This day we marched until 8 o’clock and was helped by General Spinola for fear of running into an ambush which he conjectured might exist, we were in the Reb’s country. The men were all ordered to load and then rest for the night.

This day about noon the column was halted and skirmishers sent forward as someone of the general’s orderlies had seen 10 to 15 reb cavalry and 40 to 50 infantry just half mile in advance of the column. The skirmishers could find nothing so we moved on. Today I thought I should have to succumb but as it would have looked badly, I Thomased it as I carried no load and the men did. On this second day also there were many stragglers as the march was quite as long with as few rests—three or four during the day.

30th at 5 o’clock found us on the march on empty stomachs as most all had eaten their provisions on the second day. Today the boys pressed everything they saw that was eatable—geese, chickens, sweet potatoes, one jackass to carry their loads, two horses (old) for the same purpose. At one house they found a large quantity of pork and it all appeared for the most of them ran their bayonet through the side or ham, or what it might be, and thus carried it for a short way when they divided with their mate and it disappeared in their haversacks. One of the men was running a goose in a field near the road when the adjutant & general came riding back, cursing him and ordered him to desist, but I suppose he did not hear—at least he did not heed—when the adjutant drew his revolver with the intention of shooting him, but somehow his horse stumbled and in the endeavor to get the horse right, the pistol went off and an act of justice (as far as the man was concerned) was performed, for the ball took effect in the neck of the horse, killing him instantly. I was just 20 feet from him when he fell and was almost tempted to cry out, “settled him right.” Indeed, that was the sentiment of all who saw the occurrence.

That was the great incident of this day’s march. Fording a small stream was another. Almost all the men got into water up to their hips—a very cold bath. Stopped for supper at 4 p.m., rested one hour, and continued our tramp until dark when all were made gladly to welcome the sight of the transports laying on the Chowan River, knowing that for the present, trampling was at an end. Many, very many, were the stragglers this afternoon, but strange as it may appear, I stood this days march the best though I was very tired and willing to exchange muscle for steam.

The loading of men commenced immediately & by midnight, all but the few stragglers who had not come up were loaded & our train was soon in the same way. The men got good hot coffee and hard bread for supper and a very cold & hard bed this night. Now at the end of three days are we very nearly 60 miles from our last regular camp, having walked all those dreary miles through a very dreary and desolate looking country. I saw but three or four white people in all our tramp but saw many negroes.

At all our camping places where we remained for any time, you could see hundreds of camp fires with groups of men round them seeking comfort both for the outer and inner man.

31st—at daylight this morning the boats were moving, some 8 or 10 in number, two being gunboats—the Chasseur of 4 guns on which was Col. McKibbin with the front wing of the 158th [Pennsylvania], and the Huzzar which carried the left wing with the Lt. Col. & Major. The river bank presented the same monotonous outline except that the town of Edenton was visible soon after we started. I think it must be about 5 to 10 miles below the landing at which we embarked, the name of which I forget. In fact, I do not know that I ever knew it positively.

We got along very well until some time during the night when there was quite a storm arose when the boat did some pretty fine rolling, making many of the men sick, and in fact, placing the boat in danger of being wrecked or swamped. As for me, I slept all the time except about 10 minutes when I got such a horrid bump that I waked, but soon again was asleep.

New Year found us just entering Neuse river and by 9 or 10 we lay gladly off New Bern, a right smart town, they tell me, but as I have just passed through it once, I am unable to judge and will defer a description of it until I have seen it. The night of the 1st, we built large fires and slept under what the boys call dog tents (shelter tents). Now we have the usual wall tent or Markee & this evening we have things quite comfortable, having received our stoves which were sent by way of Norfolk. So much for our second move.

I believe we (the Empire Brigade of General Spinola of New York, Commanding) shall stay here for some two or three months and if so, I should like to get from home, or sent from home by some of you, some few things which in my great and unexpectedly quick march, I was unable to get—viz: half to 1 dozen pairs cotton stockings, handkerchiefs—some silk (can’t bear linen). one pair woolen overshirts—something like those of Wills), pair buckskin gloves (gauntlets) and as tobacco is quite exalted in this part of the country, I would like say five lbs. Can be had for $1 to $1.25 lb. such as I prefer to chaw. Will knows where I bought in Harrisburg—called Mountain Dew. For smoking, any good brand, say 5 lbs. Then to fill up [the box] you might add some dried beef and bologna sausage as they are articles that will not spoil by keeping. I could get all these things here but I think it would be much the cheapest to have them sent to me. I shall as soon as possible remit what money I can do without (after I get it) to you to be used as you think best. I expect to get some $180 during the present month as that is the amount or very nearly so that is due me for services at Chambersburg. I find I will not many any more money here than I would have done at Chambersburg but I am now in the army and then I was not.

We have had but little sickness comparatively in our regiment. None of our men have died at present. We have in camp 7 that are reported sick, 2 in hospital (smallpox), 5 in quarters—mostly influenza and rheumatism.

Though I have had a very hard time of it ever since I left home, I must say I rather like it than otherwise. To be sure, my thoughts often wander homewards to all my dearest friends, yet I feel that they are as well off without as with me and so I gather some comfort. During our long march, when at night I would waken shivering with cold, I would imagine how very cozy you all were at home and then I would fill more wood on the fire, lie down and soon be asleep again, dreaming of home sometimes, at others of bloody battlefields, and so life goes in the tented field.

I like to read letters from home. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. Love to all. If you send [a box], send quickly. Let the box be made strongly and well nailed with iron hoops on each end to be marked as you direct my letters, viz: 158th Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, Col. D. B. McKibbin, Newbern, N. C., via New York.

So I will say goodbye for this time. Perhaps I may write some again to someone of you. Your affectionate son. — A. Rox Nebinger

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Letter 2

Hospital 158th [Pennsylvania] Regiment
Camp New Bern
January 27, 1863

My dear Father,

Since writing to you we have changed our camp from the east of New Bern to the south crossing the Trent to the right side. We also crossed a small creek on the banks of which we are now encamped. We are now in a fortified camp having thrown up breastworks in front, crossing the railroad to Beaufort. We (Empire Brigade) have three regiments on this side and one on the other of the creek.

The expedition I spoke of some time ago has just started—the last leaving today (I hear). Where to, I cannot learn.

January 29th—Last night I received your nos. 2 & 3 and Beckie’s No. [ ] making four & dates 9, 12, 16 & 19. Now for one to answer your two and one to answer sister’s 3. I have received & answered your no. 1 giving a poor account of New Bern which I learn has but 6,000 inhabitants instead of 15 to 20. Tis a poor kind of a town having but few good houses.

You will see by this as also by my former one that we did move though the 166th did not. I gave a very full description of our march from Suffolk to the Chowan [River] in my letter to brother in which I enclose a slip to you. I have also written two or three times concerning some things I want you to send me by Express.

For fear you will not get my letter describing this country and railway, it is just like all the land I have seen since we landed at Norfolk—low, level, and sandy land producing pines of all descriptions & here a few cactus of a very thin leaf but I think a true cactus. There are some few gum and oak with hickory [trees] here.

As to what the productions might be, I cannot say, but this I do know—the present produce is composed of soldiers, forts, rifle pits, and land embankments, as also coughs, fevers, and graybacks [lice], with a few contrabands and high prices. That is certainly all I can say of the productions of this part of the Old North State, but suppose the usual southern productions are here raised such as sweet potatoes, corn and perhaps oats. I have noticed some cane growing but no large ones.

In the swamps the strange growing cypress is found in plenty now with bare branches except when the long gray moss covers them with its long hanging bunches. By the by, I forgot to say swamps were quite as plenty here as hills in our country.

As for vegetation, as yet I have seen nothing green but pine, cactus and cane. Everywhere sand, sand, sand.

Contrabands look like badly dressed niggers in their peculiar gray cloth. The fact is, I very seldom leave the regiment, preferring to stay near my own quarters though frequently visiting the officers & of course receiving visits from them.

I am happy to learn of Mother’s return to health and hope it may last for a very long time. I hope Stanley is well or at least getting well. Love to all.

As for emancipation or any other movement, I have heard nor can I say what is the feeling in this country as I have seen but a very few natives. I hope the militia Volunteers will get their pay box with the rest.

I am glad to learn that Robert has started up and hope he may come home with straps on his shoulders. Of course I am always anxious to get news from home but as yet I have received at least one letter with every mail that has come in and cannot nor do I think of blaming any of the folks at home. As for the number, I think the more the better.

I think that all of your letters will reach me if you continue to direct as you have. I shall enclose a rough draft of our position as also that of New Bern and the surrounding camps. Hoping you have received my letters as I have yours, I am your most affectionate son, — A. Rox Nebinger

Noe if you can make out the hieroglyphics, you will know how we are situated. The Neuse river is full of vessels all the time. Love to all. Let all write if they have anything to write. Bob Wright, I want to hear from particularly. — Gust