NC, Lenoir, Letters, R. H. Bacot Civil War Letters
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R H Bacot Civil War Letters - Lenoir County, NC
The original letters are at the Archives, Raleigh, NC
The ironclad gunboat CSS Neuse saw little action during the Civil War
because of obstructions in the river and the lack of troop support. In
March of 1865, as Union forces approached Kinston, the Neuse was burned by
its crew to prevent its capture.
C S Charleston
Charleston Harbor
Feb 8th 1863 (ie 1864)
My Dear Dear Sister
I have just heard of your sad bereavement. I came down from
Florence, (on my return from Newbern NC), with Cousin Dewar & he
told me the first I had heard of it. Let me mourn with you sister
for the loss of him who, although I knew but a short time, I
considered worthy of your love & who has never seemed like a
stranger to me but more like one of the same family.
I have just returned from a long but exciting expedition.
When we left here we didnt know how long we would be gone or
where we were going to. We took 75 men & 5 officers to
Willmington NC where we were joined by 35 men & 4 officers where
we also shipped 2 launches with Howitzers & two small boats. We
then went to Kingston NC & joined Cap J T Wood CSN who had 10
boats & 125 men & officers. While going on we rode in the boats
which were lashed on flat cars. After hauling the boats down to
the Neuse river with muleteams we embarked & pulled down the
river 50 miles; to within a few miles of Newbern. Our army under
Gen Pickets moved down at the same time to within 1 1/2 miles of
the city. Our object was to attack the gunboats & take them while
the army attacked the land forces. Last Monday night a week ago
tonight we proceeded down the river & passing the enemies
batteries boarded the US Strmr Underwriter (four guns & 90 men)
which was made fast to the wharf abreast one of their batteries &
took her after a sharp hand to hand fight with pistols &
cutlasses. We lost 4 killed - poor Midm Saunders among the number
& 16 wounded & 4 missing. We took 26 of the enemy (6 officers and
20 men) the rest either killed of jumped overboard. The batteries
on shore opened fire on us as soon as we took the ship & as we
could not slip her chains or take her up the river on account of
her great draft, we took all the prisoners &c into our boats &
left for our camp. The army failed to take advantage of this &
attack the front thereby losing the only chance of a fight with
land forces unassisted by gunboats. We intended to've boarded as
many as three gunboats but they couldn't be found on that side of
the city. Gen Barton is under arrest for not attacking the enemy
when ordered. The army falling back we also withdrew up the river
to Kingston & dispersed to join our respective commands. I
returned yesterday morning & go on duty today. Going on I saw Pa
& sister at Mars Bluff & returning I met Mr Saunders at
Willmington. I heard at Florence that Pete had left the Hospital
& was to join his company this week. I wish he would stand his
examination for Asst Surgeon either in the army or navy. Pete is
on leave & is in Raleigh NC on business I believe.
I hear that you've moved up to Arnmore. Dont you find it
very lonely up there now? I hope you will move back to Roseville,
for a time at least, where you will have company & keep up your
spirits better than living by yourself. I hope the end of next
summer will find us a free & independant people destined to be
prosperous & happy. It is destined to be so finally & I hope it
will be so in a short time so that we may the sooner commence
anew. Give love to all & write soon to your afft bro
R H Bacot
**********************
C S Neuse(ance)
March 19th, '64
Kinston NC
Dear Sis
I find it exceedingly dull here as the town
is completely deserted by all of its respectable inhabitants & I
know none of those living in the country round about. We (the
Officers of the Neuse, viz; Lt Comdg B P Loyal, 1st Lt F L Hage,
Masters Worth & Bacot, Engineers Tucker & Edwards & Asst Surg
King) live in a small house on the Street, which is the terminus
of Col Washingtons Avenue, & about a quarter of a mile from our
future home the Neusance. I am afraid that name will prove but
too appropriate. Her "Iron fixin's" are not done her engines are
not ready, her quarters & storerooms are not near ready & "Last
but not least" the river is falling about 12 inches a day & we
will have to trust to Providence for another rise when the vessel
is finished; finally to complete our misery we have a crew of
long, lank, "Tar Heels" (NC's from the "Piney woods") Our two
guns are mounted & we drill the crew every morning at 9 & every
evening at 5:30 oclock. We have one or two good men for a
"Neucleus but I'm afraid the others can never learn anything
about a gunboat. You ought to see them in the boats! It is too
ridiculous. They are all legs & arms & while working at the guns
their legs get "Tangled" in the tackles & they are always in the
wrong place & in each others way. We are having "Camels" built,
with which we hope to lighten the vessel over the Shoals &c in
the river. Also two large Lighters for carrying coal &c I suppose
we will be ready by the 1st of May I hope so at least, for the
Yankees obstructed the river once & the freshet washed them away
& of course if they have time they will do it again in a more
effetual manner; but Gen Hoke says if we keep the gunboats off he
will take the batteries that cover the works obstructions & give
us an opportunity to clear the river out. Then we will try the
works below & if successful may cooperate with the "Albemarle"
(the vessel building at Halifax on the Roanoke) in an attack on
Roanoke island, which is one of the most important Strategetic
points, now in possession of the emeny, in NC. We cant hold, if
retaken, without we have possession of Roanoke island. Cap
Loyal's ___ is not here with him; he says She often speaks of
Sister Jacque as one of her best friends. The Cap himself is a
very nice man & a perfect gentleman. Our other officers seem to
be very good men. The vessel herself will be very close & warm
this summer, but we will be richly repaid for all inconveniences
if we are permitted to succeed in capturing Newbern & Roanoke
island. Our Paymaster has just arrived & will leave again
tomorrow he has no money & will not pay off. We couldnt spend it
if he did (as ther's nothing to buy) so will wait. Love to all.
Remember me to Miss Clarke. As ever your affec bro
RHB
**********************
C S Neuse
Kinston NC April 28th
1864
Dear Sis,
I have bad news to tell you this time.
Even worse than I anticipated when I wrote last. The river has
fallen and the "C S Neuse" is nearly "High and Dry" on a sand-bar
just below Kinston. The river had fallen about six feet when we
got orders to go down, and there was scarcely water enough for us
to cross the obstructions; we nevertheless started down last
Friday and had proceeded about a half mile when we grounded on a
sand-bar. We tried very hard to get her off but her great weight
and the strength of the current were too much for us, besides the
river was falling at the rate of 3/4 ins per hour. The stern of
the vessel is afloat, but the bow is 4 feet out of water. We will
have to wait for a freshet again and that will probably take
place in July or August. It has rained too much already this
spring for us to expect enough to raise the river again, before
the middle of the summer. That being the case, I hardly think we
will be kept here as officers and men are needed badly to man the
new boats at Richmond, Charleston and Mobile. I assure you our
disappointment was great when we found that we could not get off;
the troops were here ready to join us in the attack on Newbern
and we were all expecting to take the city and sink the gunboats
without much troble and to have a fine time afterwards; we were
destined to be disappointed however and I suppose as "Everything
happens for the best", we ought not to grumble too much, but it
does seem hard to be so sorely disappointed after expecting so
much. Good news comes in from all quarters of the Confederacy and
best of all our people and soldiers seem to have embibed a new
life and are determined to make this the last year of the War.
Gen Hoke captured Plymouth at the mouth of the Roanoke, and Capt
Cook CN, with the C S Albemarle made short work of the gunboats
in front of the town. There is a report current this morning that
Roanoke island has been captured and that Washington, on the Tar,
has surrendered to Gen Hoke; the Albemarle is said to've come up
in the rear and fired three guns as a signal and our land forces
then attacked in concert, compelling the surrender. The news from
the Trans-Mississippi is also good if true. The Mobile Advertiser
and Register tells so many stories about Dick Taylor's doings in
Louisiana that I dont like to believe the news from that source
until it is confirmed. Last year, according to that papers
reports, Dick Taylor captured, killed & wounded more Yankees than
there were in Bank's army and was on the point of capturing New
Orleans three or four times... That Robber treated you in a very
ungentlemanly style, you ought to have him put in jail for Petty
Larceny or Conscripted and sent to the "Kitchen to do duty in the
"Frying pan Department". Tell Lani that Uncle Rich gives him the
authority to conscript the "Old Molly" and he must do it at once.
I am glad that Miss Jennie has taken him, not Old Molly in hand
for he was "Running to Weed" at Roseville. It is very kind of
Miss J and I hope he will be a good boy and try to learn. Poor
Ajax,I wish he was going to school instead of John's island among
those illiterate men. It is a great pity he did not go to
Hillsboro last year instead of going to Mr Moor. I received a
letter from him a day or two ago and I was sorry to see how
little he knew of the elements of the English language. He wrote
with a total disregard for Orthography, Etemology, Syntax,
Prosody and every other dy. Dontt tell him this for he wont write
again if you do. I received a letter from sister Jacque
yesterday. She didnt say anything about Pa's having the Mumps so
I hope he has recovered. I didn't know he that he had it before
you wrote. The Examiner has had some splendid Editorials in it
lately, which I've enjoyed very much. I'd give anything to be
able to write like that Editor; he can almost make a man run mad
if he gets down on him. His Phillipics are splendid. He makes Mr
Memminger and Gen Bragg appear very ridiculous in a late issue
which you've probably seen by this time. Give love to all and my
regards to Miss Jennie. If I leave here I hope to go to Mobile
then I can stop and see you all. Ever your Affectionable brother
R H Bacot
***********************
C S Neuse
Kinston N C
May 23rd 1864
I received your letter day-before-yesterday, Sister dear,
and was sorry to find that you were in such a low state of health
and spirits. You must let the good news we are getting cheer you
up - try to look forward to a happy future do not despond for if
you give way to despondency everything will seem gloomy, when in
reality everything is bright and promising.
When I wrote to Pa, about a week ago, we were still "In Status
quo" on the sand bank, but now we are afloat again and in our old
"Cat hole" again. The day after I wrote Pa the river rose and we
got off, and just in time too as the water fell that evening. The
workmen are again on board, making music with their sledgehammers
driving bolts in the iron overhead. All the troops have left here
for Virginia and the place is exceedingly dull - almost as dull
as the Charleston Station was, when we lay off Fort Johnston. The
weather is very warm - equally as warm as it was in Louisianna
the August I was there (I wish I was there again to Pay those
Yankees up for the trouble they gave us on the Arkansas) Our
quarters are very close and warm although better ventilated than
some others. There has been an entire change in the different
Bureaus of the Navy Department and a great many changes have been
already made in the fleet at Richmond and I hope they will see
fit too order me to Mobile in time to go on the expedition
against N O or order me to the Trans-Miss Department to some of
the new vessels captured by Dick Taylor on the Red river. As I
intend to live out west after the War I want to go out there now
and get used to the climate and get acquainted with the people
and, if a chance shows itself, "make a beginning" - At the same
time I might find a "young lady just suited to my mind -
Marriages seem to be "all the go" now. I hear constantly of some
friend or acquaintance being "Captured", "Taking the oath of
Allegiance" to the fair creatures who have made the capture.
George T married not long ago and Miss Sallie Williams is to be
married to Dr Henderson before many days - I wish some one would
marry C B, She is "willing" I've no doubt! have you Tell sister
Jacque that Mrs Col Washington died a day or two ago, after a
long sickness and was buried yesterday evening. Remember me to
all. Write soon to your affectionate brother
R H Bacot
***********************
C S Neuse
Kinston, N C
July 18th 1864
Dear Sis,
I received your last welcome letter some days ago but owing
to the heat of the days and my engagements and duties of the
evenings I have put off answering it until this evening. We had a
tremendous rain four or five days ago and this "Raging ___
shows evidence of having received its share of the descending
liquid. I had just started, with two young ladies, to pay a visit
down town when in a minute "The sky was changed and such a
change" and in fact it commenced to rain and we took refuge in
the first house we came to. Now these people believed in the old
saying "Early to bed &c &c &c" and although it was just 8oclock
were just retiring. We got in however and it poured for about an
hour. About 9 it cleared off a little and we arrived at our
destination. It commenced raining again and we could not leave
until after 12! End then we had about 3/4 of a mile to walk, I
assure you we had a time of it. I didn't even get my feet wet,
having on thick shoes, but the ladies paid for their folly,
having worn thin ones. On the whole though we had a nice time as
it was "variety". We are going out on a boat ride, by moonlight,
tonight if the weather is propitious. The young ladies I spoke of
before, the Misses Bryan and Miss Moore, are going, they are all
very nice ladies. You all must have a dull time plodding along in
the beaten track, and seeing no one or nothing that is new. Now
gentlemen could find much to do, in the country, that was
interesting, but I dont see how ladies exist without society. It
is strange to me how few amusements and comforts our people have,
as a general thing; and I believe they get about as little for
their money as any people in the world. The "Gunboats" (as we are
called here) have concluded to have as nice a time as possible
and find plenty of amusements. We have the exclusive use of a
tin-pin alley, where we exercise our muscles every morning. We
pitch & Quoits after dinner & have various diversions for the
evening; such as boating, visiting, walking, &c. Every one
expects a lively time about here, when the elections come off in
August. A secret, treasonable league has been discovered in the
state called the HOA's -(Heroes of America) they are in league
with the enemy & are all Holdenites. Since the disclosures, made
by some members who became disgusted with the society, the
remainder have kept remarkably quiet. I wish President Davis
would have Holden & his entire clan taken up & hung; that would
stop such rascals quicker than any conciliatory measures.
19th - I did not have time
to finish yesterday so I will do so this morning. I am glad to
hear of Ralph's promotion; he has improved a great deal & richly
deserves it. You mustnt be so hard on Bobby if he thinks he
loves Miss Nina & talks about it a great deal. I dont see why he
shouldn't. I heard of an old Commadore who, while in the
Mediteranian, bragged so often about a horse he said he owned,
that he believed, after a while, that he did own one & bought a
fine saddle & bridle &c & was very much disappointed when he got
home to find no horse there. If a person tells a thing for the
truth very often, he will finally believe it himself. I am truly
sorry to hear of the condition of poor Uncle Dick's family & I
think they had better emmigrate, as soon as the war is over, to
some more favored clime. The crops here are all looking very fine
since the rain. Watermellons & Roasting ears are now coming in.
Every thing is enormously high & of course that is very
unsatisfactory to a man living on a salary which doesnt rise with
the prices of provisions &c. Butter alone is $7 per lb. I havent
heard from Pa or sister Jacque for four or five weeks, although
I've written two or three times. Excuse this rather uninteresting
epistle & write soon to your affec bro R H Bacot
Remember me to all.
**********************
Judge Saunders
Raleigh N C
March 27th 1865
Dearest Sis,
This is the first chance I've had to get a letter
through to you since the fall of Wilmington. As you will see by the
heading of this I am now on a visit to sister Jacque to find out all
about home & the different members of the family. I was agreeably
surprised on my arrival here, to find that the Yankees had not been
to our neighborhood; when I came I expected to hear that the houses
& cotton had been burnt & the Negroes scattered as a gentleman who
came from Darlington to Warrenton NC said that the enemy were at
Florence & Darlington & were raiding through the country, burning &
pillaging as they went.
Pete & Ajar are near Goldsboro; their Company is Gen Hardee's body
guard. They left here just before I arrived here so I did not see
them. My old home the "Neuse," is gone, all the troops were
withdrawn from Kinston & the Yankees 18,000 strong came upon us &
not having any prospect of being relieved before our provisions gave
out & being in a narrow river where we could not work the ship under
fire, after shelling the Yankee Cavalry for a little while, we
removed our powder & stores & burnt the vessel. We fortunately saved
our clothing &c & are very comfortably fixed at Halifax NC on the
Roanoke river where we are waiting for something to turn up. If I am
not ordered to the Trans-Mississippi ___ & have to leave Eastern NC.
I will probably go into the army.
The hardest part of the evacuation of Kinston for me, was to have
to leave without seeing my darling little Sweetheart. Your future
sister in law is now in the enemy's lines & as they have occupied
the town in force I am afraid they will be very troublesome. Yes
Sis I am engaged to be married to a dear, sweet little soul Miss
Fannie Bryan of Newbern. I wish you could know her & her family.
I think without exception it is the nicest family taken as a
whole that I ever saw. My Fan will be eighteen in November; five
years younger than I am. Three of her sisters are engaged to
three of my intimate friends. I wonder when I'll be able to
Marry? I hope soon next year.
Sister Jacque says she wrote to you a few days ago. She is now
writing to Carrie & wont have time to write to you this time but
will do so again shortly.
You would have a fine field for using your hospital experience
here there are a great many wounded here from Averisboro &
Bentonville where we whipped the Yankees (part of Sherman's Army)
pretty badly. Sherman is now at Goldsboro & Johnston is trying to
force a fight. I hope in less than two weeks we will fight & whip
him in a general engagement - then the tide will have turned in
our favor. All you overrun people must keep up your spirits, the
soldiers are very cheerful. Write to Sis J & me by first
opportunity she will forward letters to me. I have been trying to
find out whether I belong to Navy or Army. I have no ship, live
on land, drill at light Artillery & infantry tactics & have been
in the trenches at Weldon (that Paradise) which do you think I
belong to?
Maj Lucas is just recovering from a wound in the stomach recd at
Bentonville & is stopping at Dr Smede's.
I've met a good many Charleston friends here, all looking hard.
I have to close as I have to send this off at once. Kiss Alfie
for me & give my regards to Miss Jenny & Mr Clarke. Ever your
Affec bro
R H Bacot
**********************
Kinston, N C
June 18th '65
As I have a little leasure time today I will answer your
letter, Sis dear, but I cant promise to interest you as I have a
bad cold & haven't a comfortable place to write in.
I am glad you have determined to try & mingle in society &
be less of a recluse than you have been - though I cant see much
n our old neighborhood to attrac you farther from Arnmore than
the "Oasis." I owe the "neighborhood" no atttachment & if it were
not for yours & sister Jacque's families, I would scarcely wish
to visit there but once more as it only stirs up old
recollections & gives me a homesick, lonely feeling like that of
an outcast & I suppose I will always have that feeling until I
get settled down & have a plenty to occupy my mind with. I try,
and sometimes succeed, to cast off such feelings by mingling in
society sc occupying my time in reading &c. I only associate with
two or three private families here & they are nice people who
seem to care for me & with whom I spend many a pleasant evening.
I am so so sorry that there should be any misunderstanding
in our family about division of property or anything else. I dont
see why these things cant be avoided. Of course you have as much
right to say what shall be done regarding the division of the
Negroes as any one. Pete wrote me that he was perfectly satisfied
with the division &c but before agreeing to its accomplishment he
is going to try to have Sister Jacque's share made over to her by
S. so that in case anything happens to him (S.) his creditors
cannot lay their hands on them. Dont speak of this to any one as
were are not certain about S.'s position &c yet & wish to do this
without any fuss or creating any ill felling with S. but it must
be done. Jacque would have nothing for self or children if S.
were to die & his creditors (for I think he is in debt) get those
Negroes. As Pete wants Jacque & I do not & as we both have claims
of $641.66 2/3 on the division & I've offered him enough of mine
to add to his to make up the $1000.00 at which Jack is valued he
will probably take him in lieu of the money.
As far as the Management of the Estate is concerned the
administrators have exclusive control & if any of the heirs are
not satisfied with it they can remonstrate & if that does not do
any good then they will have to resort to law but hope it will
not be necessary. In allowing Pete & Pet to be made
Administrators (if any one of us had objected they could not have
been appointed) we showed our preference for & confidence in them
& I think they will do the best they can & hope all difficulties
will be avoided. As administrators Pet & Pete have nothing to do
with the Entailed (Grandma's) estate, - that is entirely seperate
from the Oasis & other property & at once reverted to us for whom
it was entailed. Any one of us had, & have still, a right to call
for a division of the lands & Negroes, of Grandma's estate, by
the Court of Equity, but I thought & still think it would be
better to avoid that expense, divide the Negroes now & not sell
the land for division until the War ends when we can sell it to
better advantage & can see what is best to be done.
It is a shame that those negroes have had no clothes, they
could have been supplied two months ago easily & at one half the
price it will take now. I wish I had a place of my own to move
mine to, but my hands are tied & for the present I will leave
them where they are as it has been their home so long.
I am sorry Sister I forgot to put in the catsup you sent for
we can get no vinegar or anything of the kind here. All the cider
was made into apple brandy & the country is flooded with it. It
makes my heart sick to see how drunkeness rules throughout our
land. One man in Kinston, which is filled with bar rooms, sold
$4500.00 worth one day!
Possum-dam is over flowed & the old Neuse is now a noble
river, but alas! the urgent necessity for troops at Wilmington
prevents our having a land force to cooperate in an attack on
Newbern. It would do my heart good to help take that place. I've
been within 100 yards of its wharves & see the place I must ___
if I cant help take it. Fate seems to work against us but we will
come out all "Rectus in Curia" in the end. I say fight Yankeedom
forever if we have to Bushwhack & live in the swamps. We've gone
too far to back down & I glory in our cause; though we all become
engulphed in ruin still we who have fought can say with pride "It
is not our fault but that of the croakers & skulkers &
extortioners. The darkest hour is before day." We are not yet
whipped & I our people are not discouraged. We will yet be free.
Everything I am willing to lose to gain that one object then I
will have a light heart to begin anew.
Good by. Love to all, kiss Alf for me.
Affectly your bro
Rich