The following letter was written by an unidentified member of the US Signal Corps. We know from his letter that he enlisted in July or August 1861 and that he came to New Bern from Annapolis. It seems he may have transferred into the Signal Corps from a volunteer regiment.

The most interesting content of the letter comes in the final paragraph in which he describes the wounding of a sentinel from the 23rd Massachusetts. In retaliation, Gen. Foster had the houses torn down of the civilians whom Foster presumed were responsible for the shooting.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Newbern, North Carolina
July 28, 1862

Dear Cousin,

I thought that I would write you a few lines to let you know how I am. Indeed, I am well at this present time and am hoping these few lines will find you the same and all the rest of the folks. I am writing this letter to you not knowing where you are but I think it will find you somewhere and enjoying good health I hope and all the rest of the folks. I should like to see you and all the rest of the folks.

I am out here where it is very hot weather but can stand it very well when I am in the shade. Do not have much to do and only keep watch eight hours watch a day for signals. Have got a nice house to live in. There is only three of us boys and one lieutenant on this station. It is close to Fort Macon. It is a very pleasant place.

I have been in the Signal Corps ever since we left Annapolis. It is not as hard a place as it was in the regiment. I wrote a letter to Uncle Elijah yesterday and to Uncle Stephen Johnson. It is not as pleasant to me out here as it would be as though I were at home. I am in hopes that I shall be at home before long and all the rest of the boys that came out with me to fight for our country cause we have had some hard fighting out here. I never thought that I should have to go to war when I was up here. I hope the boys will all turn out and help us put this rebellion down as soon as possible for the boys are getting worn out here staying here so long. I wish it might come to a close this day. It would suit me first rate and all the rest.

It is most one year now since I enlisted. I did not think of having to stay so long as this when I enlisted. Has any of the boys gone from here to the war?

There was a sentinel shot upon his post the other night by the secesh. The alarm was given and the house was soon surrounded by the troops. It was in this city. They went into the house and there found six or seven men there. They had them arrested and put in jail and the next day General [John G.] Foster took a regiment and went to their houses and gave the orders to tear those houses that belonged to those men torn flat to the ground. The boys gave three cheers and went in with a good heart. Those houses were soon lain low. They were very good houses too. ¹ I have not much more to write this time. [unsigned]

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¹ The Baltimore Sun of 4 August 1862 carried an article that conveyed the details of this incident in New Bern. The sentinel shot was Michael A. Galvin of Co. C, 23rd Massachusetts Infantry. His wound, in the fleshy part of the thigh, was not serious. But he died of consumption at home the following July, of consumption. See article below.