EARLY COAST OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

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against conscripting parties of rebel soldiers; and by thus constantly beingon tbe alert, they succeeded in rendering unavailing all efforts to force theminto the ranks of the Confederate army. In several interviews which I hadwith Commander Flusser, he urged me in the strongest manner to occupythe town of Plymouth, and to organize the Union men of that vicinity intoa regiment of soldiers.

I had several conversations with General Burnside in relation to this matter,and the final result was that he placed the affair entirely in my hands. Accord-ingly, by appointment, Commodore Rowan and I met some two hundred andfifty Union men; and a free interchange of views in relation to the affairs ofthe country took place. The matter of great concern with them was, “ Whatwill become of us in case we are captured by the rebels ? ” We assured themthat the Government of the United States would protect them and theirfamilies to the last extreme, and that any outrage perpetrated upon them orupon their families would be severely punished. An enlistment-roll wasaccordingly made out, and about one hundred men signed their names atonce. Too much cannot be said of the devotion of these men under peculiardangers — of these men of the 1st North Carolina . |

Things remained in this condition until July, 1862, when General Burn-side, with the Ninth Corps, of which my command was part, was ordered tojoin the Army of the Potomac.

I On the 1st of February, 1864, a large Con-federate force, under the command of Major-Gen-eral G. E. Pickett, made an advance upon NewBerne, N. C., and after destroying the UnitedStates gun-boat Underwriter, burning a bridge ortwo, and capturing some prisoners, withdrew toKinston. Among the prisoners captured wereseveral natives of North Carolina , who had en-listed in our service. A court-martial was con-vened, composed of Virginians, and twenty-twoof these loyal North Carolinians were convicted ofand executed for (constructive) desertion. June1st, 1865, Pickett applied to President John-son for a pardon. Secretary Stanton and JudgeAdvocate-General Holt were for trying him, andhis application hung fire. March 12th, 1866, hewrote to Lieutenaut-General Grant, stating hisgrievances and again setting forth his claim for apardon. Upon the back of that letter GeneralGrant made this singular indorsement: “ Duringthe rebellion belligerent rights were acknowledgedto the enemies of our country, and it is clear to

me that the parole given by the armies layingdown their arms protects them against punish-ments for acts lawful for any other belligerents.In this case I know it is claimed that the men triedand convicted for the crime of desertion wereUnion men from North Carolina , who had foundrefuge within our lines and in our service. Thepunishment was a harsh one, but it was in timeof war, and when the enemy no doubt felt it neces-sary to retain by some power the services of everyman within their reach. General Pickett I knowpersonally to be an honorable man, but in thiscase his judgment prompted him to do what can-not well be sustained, though I do not see howgood, either to friends of the deceased or by fixingan example for the future, can be secured by histrial now. It would only open up the questionwhether or not the Government did not disregardits contract entered into to secure the surrenderof an armed enemy.” And the whole was referred tothe President. The indorsement of General Grantwas all-powerful, and nothing was done.—R. C. H.