Major General John G. Foster's
Headquarters, Union Street, New Berne, North Carolina
Major General John G. Foster's
Headquarters, Union Street, New Berne, North Carolina
March 31st Newburn, N. Carolina
Dear Cous Sarah...
Our company has moved its quarters, and we are uptown farther. We have quite a large garden connected with our establishment and we have a fine large strawberry bed in blossom and peach trees also. Our house is lighted with gas, and we have Nigger servants...We have furniture in our domicil - sofas to recline upon and - I'll tell you - it is just the same as if - supposing - an army should take Worcester, some of the people yes nine tenths of them - leave, and the troops take possession of the whole concern. We find houses empty, and we occupy them - so as to keep the machine running. The people that left took what furniture they could and we take the rest - and house keep the best we can...
Yours etc. S H Putnam.
Close-up of photograph. General Foster is the tall gentleman standing in the middle (see arrow).
Newbern N.C.
Thurs. Apr. 3, 1862
I went on my beat at 6 oclock tonight. A woman living on the corner came out and asked me if I didn't want some supper. Of course I didn't refuse though I had had my allowance of hard-tack for supper. So the lady brought me a plate of beans, some ham, biscuits and butter and coffee. I ate it on the front steps of the house. She tried to have me go inside but I told her I couldn't for it was against the orders...I had just finished this supper when a lady from the other side of the street came out and asked me to have some supper. I had to refuse her...Another gave me a pocket full of ground peas (peanuts). This is the way we are treated here daily.
