Collection (1858-1901) consisting of a photocopy of the Civil War diary of Charles A. Tournier, 1864-1865; photocopy of the Craven Common Schools report, 1858; photocopies of pamphlets of advertisements, 1880s; and a photocopy of an Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad leaflet, 1901.
This collection consists of PHOTOCOPIES of four items dealing with various aspects of New Bern's past. The major item is a Civil War diary written by Charles A. Tournier, a Union soldier stationed in North Carolina in late 1864-1865. Tournier, age 17, enlisted August 29, 1864 at Auburn, New York, was mustered in as a private, assigned to Company A, 3rd New York Light Artillery, and was discharged July 3, 1865.
The photocopy of Private Tournier's diary not only provides an excellent account of day to day life in the army but also describes the various battles and skirmishes in which he was involved and provides considerable information concerning the effects of the war on eastern North Carolina.
Tournier's company traveled from New York to Baltimore in mid-September, 1864, where they were garrisoned at Camp Hamilton on the Chesapeake for two weeks. On October 13, 1864, the company embarked for Roanoke Island. While at Roanoke, Tournier comments on the many enslaved persons who had gathered on the island in the wake of the Union occupation of parts of eastern North Carolina. He also recounts the capture of a Confederate sailing vessel off the harbor.
After arriving in New Bern (October 20, 1864), Tournier describes the port town as being full of yellow fever, with all the stores and houses tightly closed. Entries, (October 21-November 20) deal with camp life and garrison duty, shortages of rations, suspicions that supplies were being sold for profit, and a fire which killed several people and damaged or destroyed many homes.
His company did not see action until December 7, 1864. Arriving at Plymouth, North Carolina, Tournier describes the gutted war-torn appearance of the town and makes note of the Confederate ram ALBEMARLE which remained sunk in the river. Entries (December 7-16) recount forays into the surrounding countryside, including the capture of a Confederate-held bridge on the Roanoke River, a skirmish at Foster's Mills, the abandonment of the Union fort at Rainbow Bluff, and the subsequent forced march to Jamestown.
On January 9, 1865, the company returned to New Bern. An entry of January 16 notes the large number of refugees, mostly freedom seeking enslaved black persons, who had come into the city seeking protection, and on February 8 Tournier visited the large black settlement in the city which had developed during the war.
Beginning February 15, diary entries deal increasingly with comments concerning the gathering of troops in New Bern, news of Sherman's whereabouts, and rumors of orders to advance toward Raleigh. Finally, on March 2, the company broke camp and with other troops began to march toward Kinston. On March 10, five miles outside Kinston at Wise's (Or Wagner's) Forks, the Confederates were engaged and were forced to retreat. The diary contains a detailed description of events which took place during the battle. Entries (March 15-April 18) concern camp life outside Kinston and include accounts of foraging expeditions made because of ration shortages.
Subsequent entries pertain to their return to New Bern, the company being relieved by Black troops, a conversation with a former inmate of the Andersonville prison, and his return to New York.
Another item in the collection is a photocopy of a report of Craven County common schools (1858). Compiled by a teacher in one of the schools, the report describes conditions in each of the 49 districts of the county, giving the number of children eligible to attend, the number actually enrolled, subjects taught, number of teachers and salaries paid, and the condition of school buildings.
Also in the collection is a photocopy of a pamphlet of advertisements showing the types of items available in New Bern in the 1880's. The booklet includes stories, jokes, and poems, and has a general description of the city and its commercial facilities. Of particular interest is an article which contains comments on the circulation of money, the increasing use of checks and bank drafts, and offered arguments against adopting the programs of silverites and greenbackers.
There is also a photocopy of a leaflet on the celebration following the completion in 1858 of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad line from Goldsboro to New Bern. Printed in 1901, this item listed members of the celebration committee and described the preparations and festivities.
Gift of New Bern Historical Society
Processed by M. Mitchell, August 1977
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Descriptions updated by Ashlyn Racine, May 2023
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.