Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Massachusetts in the Army and Navy during the war of 1861-1865, vol. 1: prelminary narrative

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[48] as did the 3d (Co. I) at Plymouth, December 10. With these exceptions, the year was a quiet and rather disappointing one, and the whole result of the expedition was not quite what had been expected. It still remains a question whether these posts, secured on the sea-coast, should or should not have been sources of more aggressive activity. Col. T. A. Dodge, U. S. A., a high authority, thinks that they should have been thus utilized. ‘It seems as if they might have annoyed the enemy by frequent excursions on a large scale into the country, thus drawing the troops from the front of . . . their comrades.’¹ This was done to some extent in the Department of the South, but the defeat at Olustee hardly vindicated the policy. The Confederates had always the immense advantage of interior lines, and also of keeping their numbers unknown, while those of the Union forces were more difficult to conceal.

Massachusetts was well represented by twelve regiments in the expedition under General Foster, in December, 1862, to Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsborough, N. C., although the actual losses were not heavy. Of this affair, Col. Horace C. Lee, commanding brigade, says in his report: ‘The old regiments in my brigade, the 25th and 27th, sustained their previously well-earned reputation. The new regiments, 3d, 5th and 46th, did nobly, marching up steadily, and finely maintaining their line and position without flinching.’² The only regiment which incurred any considerable loss at Kinston December 14 was the 45th, or ‘Cadet’ Regiment (Col. C. R. Codman), and it again distinguished itself at Whitehall. The color-bearer, Sergt. Theodore Parkman, being shot down, Colonel Codman himself seized the colors, and advancing about ten feet before the regiment, which was then lying down, he lay down beside the colors. It is worthy of remembrance that the corps of ‘Cadets’ in Boston, whose number is limited to one hundred and ten, sent out, first and last, one hundred and twenty commissioned officers to the war, and had at one time so depleted itself that only six active members remained on its rolls. The 23d and 45th also met with some considerable loss at Whitehall but neither received any at Goldsborough. The 17th, 24th, 43d, 44th and 51st were also in the expedition, making in all about half the force.