History of the 25th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
1863
25th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
The regiment remained in camp until March 6 when it marched to the junction of the Trenton and Kinston roads. From that point some of it's companies, under Captain Denny, attacked the enemy outposts and drove them from a fortified camp, losing two or three wounded. Late in the afternoon of the 13th, the six companies in camp were ordered to Deep Gully to support the other four. Skirmishing began the next morning with the Twenty-fifth at the front. Soon the supporting regiments returned to Newbern when an attack there was reported, leaving Colonel Pickett and the Twenty-fifth to hold the Gully with 3 pieces of artillery. That night they were relieved by the Forty-third Mass and returned to camp, losing one wounded and one missing.
On March 18 seven companies left on the Steamer Escort to strengthen the garrison at Plymouth, reaching there on the 20th. The remaining companies followed a few days later. On May 3, after fortifying the position, they were ordered back to Newbern, reaching there on the 4th. On the 21st the regiment formed part of an expedition to Gum Creek. Going by rail soon after midnight to Batchelder's Creek, where it joined the Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania, waited through the day, then went with the brigade to Core Creek. They rested until midnight then moved forward to surround and capture the enemy outpost. Some companies of the Twenty-fifth skirmished in front of the works and held the enemy's attention while a detachment went around to the rear of the outpost, the Confederates were then completely routed. They rested there until late afternoon when a reinforced enemy drew near. Some skirmishing broke out as the troops retreated to Core Creek. They took the rail back to Newbern the next morning. They reached camp that afternoon having lost three wounded and one missing. On July 3, the right wing was sent by steamer to Washington, N. C. where they remained for some months. The left wing was engaged in some scouting duty, but the year ended without notable service. Early in December, the Twenty-fifth was transferred to Newport News, Va. During their stay there 432 of the men reenlisted and were furloughed for a month.