William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

[457] picket duty at Little Washington, and was afterwards ordered to Newbern, where it remained until June 24, during which time heavy details were made from it to build fortifications, military roads, &c. It was ordered to Fortress Monroe, to report to General Dix. At the colonel's request, orders were received to proceed to Baltimore, and report to General Schenck. Arriving there, it remained at ‘Camp Bradford’ until July 7, when it was ordered to report to General Naglee, who, understanding there was some dissatisfaction in the regiment on account of the expiration of its term of service, issued an order, leaving it optional with the men to go to the front, or return home. Under this order, two hundred and three officers and men voted to go to the front. The others came home, to receive a cold welcome from their friends. Those who remained proceeded to Sandy Hook, Md., where they arrived July 9, where they remained doing provost duty until the 18th, when an order was received, highly complimenting the regiment for the excellent manner in which it performed its duties, and directing it to proceed to Boston to be mustered out of service. It arrived at Boston July 21, and was mustered out on the 23d.

The Forty-fourth Regiment was in the Department of North Carolina. It arrived at Newbern Oct. 26, 1862. Upon its arrival, it was ordered to report to Colonel T. G. Stevenson, commanding brigade, and started with the brigade upon the Tarborough expedition Oct. 30.

Nov. 2.—It took part in a skirmish on Williamston road, losing two men killed, and seven wounded. It started on the Goldsborough expedition Dec. 11, and was present at the battle of Kinston on the 14th. It was engaged in the battle of Whitehall Bridge on the 16th, losing eight killed and fourteen wounded; and was in the reserve at battle of Goldsborough on the 17th, arriving at Newbern on the 20th.

The regiment shared in the various expeditions sent out from Newbern. It took part in the siege of Washington, N. C., in April, 1863. On the 17th, three companies, under command of Major Dabney, supported by gunboat ‘Commodore Hull,’ landed at Stile's Point, and occupied the rebel battery, destroying portions of their work, and building the entrenchments necessary to guard against an attack from the land side.