To New Bern, NC

October, 1863

23 At 8 o'clock began to go on board the propeller John Rice.

24 The 9th Vt. also embarked with us. Took us all night to get our goods on board. Left Yorktown at 8 A. M. Got to Fort Monroe at 11.

25 This entry was combined with the 26th.

26 It was so stormy did not leave Fort Monroe till this morning at about 7 A. M. The wind quite heavy from N. E. Sea quite rough. Was a little sea sick. Had a very disagreeable voyage. Arrived at Moorhead City, N. C., at about 9 A. m. Got our goods on the cars and started for Newbern at about 3 P. M. Arrived there at about 5 P. M. Went into tolerable comfortable barracks. New Bern, North Carolina, had been captured by General Burnside on his expedition to the Carolinas in March, 1862. Goodwin will be stationed near New Bern for much of the time until his discharge from the Army in 1864. The duty of his regiment will be to guard the entrances to New Bern, both by land and sea. Goodwin spells the name "Newbern," while old maps show it as "New Berne." Today it is spelled "New Bern."

27 Quite a pleasant day. This eve our company & D got orders to pack up to go ten miles in the country.

28 About three o'clock took the cars and went about ten miles; then marched 3 to a picket-station called Red House. I had to go on guard. Quite a cold night. The Union picket line was set up along Bachelor Creek about 10 miles west of New Bern. Goodwin was stationed at Red House, a large plantation on the left of this defensive line.

29 Pleasant say. Got bunks made today in some outbuildings what used to be negro quarters. They will be quite comfortable.

30 Still very pleasant. Busy in fixing up and clearing the premises.

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November, 1863

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2 Still have pleasant weather. Everything quiet. Seen nothing as yet.

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4 A lieutenant of the 12th N. Y. cavalry was shot this afternoon by guerrillas. He was riding between two picket posts that were some ways apart.

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9 Still very pleasant. Everything continues quiet.

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15 A heavy rain last night till eleven o'clock. Was on picket guard.

16 Very pleasant today and last week excepting Saturday night. Went to Newbern today in the cars and drove back a mule and cart for the post. Came on the pine tree road and got to camp at dark. Red House was near the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad. The cars were railroad cars.

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23 Quite mild and pleasant the past week. Quite a number of deserters came in. Nothing new.

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30 Quite pleasant last week, except on Saturday and Sunday when it rained very hard. Nothing unusual occurred. Got my box this eve from my sister. Boots fit good.

December, 1863

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7 Nothing new during the past week. Have been helping build a shanty.

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14 Last Saturday got up some butter, cheese, etc to accommodate the men. A little rain last week.

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17 Rain last night.

18 Heavy rain last night.

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20 A pleasant day.

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25 A lovely Christmas day. But did not enjoy myself much. Took dinner with a citizen, one who had been in a rebel prison.

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27 Matters as usual the past week. Had several cold days.

28 20 men including myself and 30 men of the 132 N. Y. Vols., 2 companies of the 12th N. Y. cav. with 2 howitzers went on a scout to Trenton on the Trent river. Distance about 20 miles. The infantry rode out in wagons and crossed the river in a small boat. Saw no rebel force. Brought in 4 families. Trenton is west of New Bern. The Trent River flows into the Neuse River at New Bern.

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30 Got back to camp before dark.

31 A rainy day but very mild. Mustered in for another two months pay. The past year had slipped away very fast and I am truly sorry to say that my Christian life has not been what it ought to have been. I have not guarded my action and words as I ought to have. I trust that God for Christ's sake will pardon me. For a while back I have been trying to mend my course and be somewhat as a Christian ought to be. I trust that Jesus will assist me. I mean to live a better life in the future. May God help me. Amen.