History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

1192 FOBTY-EI-GHTE REGINEIMT. 1862
were erected about five miles from the inlet, which were occupied by the regiment, with the exception of company B, which remained to garrison Fort Clarke.
While stationed here it was thoroughly drilled, under the direction of Brigadier
General Thomas Williams, to whose command it was attached. It was an established rule, during its entire term of service, wheneyer in camp for any length
of time, to have a school for instruction of officers. The strict military training received at Hatteras was never lost. Sheltered from the winds by a wood,
the regiment was better quartered than ever after, and while here constructed
a large lunette fort, under the supervision of Captain Pleasants. Upon the
resignation of Lieutenant Colonel Smith, on the 30th, Major Sigfried was commissioned to fill the vacancy, and Captain Daniel Nagle was commissioned
Major.
Upon the accession of General M'Clellan to chief command, numerous expeditions were sent out to make a lodgment at different points upon the southern
coast. General Burnside was intrusted with the command of one to possess
and occupy the coast of North Carolina, of which the Forty-eighth formed part.
Escaping the dangers of shipwreck from the tempestuous weather encountered
at Cape Hatteras, a signal victory was won in the capture of Roanoke Island.
Dr. Minis, Surgeon of the Forty-eighth, who had been detailed to accompany
the force which made the capture, died from over exertion in attendance upon
the wounded. His loss was deeply felt. General Burnside having occupied
Hatteras and Roanoke Islands, and placed the forts in proper condition for defence, turned his attention to the occupation of Newbern, on the main land. Six
companies of the Forty-eighth,, B, C, D, H and I, formed part of the command detailed for this purpose, and embarked on the steamer George Peabody
on the morning of the 12th of March, 1862. Captain Winlack, of company E,
was left in command of the companies remaining at Hatteras, in the absence of
Major Nagle. After some difficulty in passing what is known as the Swash,
the forces landed on the banks of the Neuse River, four miles above Slocum's
Creek. The rattle of musketry and booming of cannon were distinctly heard
as the battalion landed. It was immediately detailed to escort, and, for lack
of sufficient transportation, to carry the ammunition. Forty thousand rounds
were transported by a single wagon, under guard of company B, and forty
thousand more were carried upon the backs of the remaining five companies
distance of over seven miles of muddy road. Although not participating in
the engagement at Newbern, the services it rendered in bringing up the ammunition in good time, were so important that General Burnside directed " Newbern" to be inscribed upon its banner.
On the 11th of April it was attached to the First Brigade* of General Jesse
L. Reno's Division. The four companies which had remained at Hatteras rejoined the regiment at Newbern on the 23d of May, when it was supplied with
the English Enfield rifle in place of the Harper's Ferry musket. On the 2d of
July it was, with the division, ordered to report at Hampton "oads;. but upon
its arrival at Hatteras the order was countermanded, and it' was directed to
return to Newbern, where it remained until the 6th, when, in pursuance of or*Organization of the First Brigade, Colonel James Nagle, General Reno's Division, Department of North Carolina. Forty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonbl
J.. Sigfried; Ninth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel Abram Zabris.
kie; One Hundred and Third Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel F. W. Von Egloffstein; Second Regiment Maryland Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel J. Eugene Duryee.