1863 February 1 New Bern, N.C.

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]

Sunday
Feb 1
Had no inspection this morning.  Read
awhile and then went to church, and
heard Mr James preach in the Presbyterian Church
this forenoon, and Mr Stone Chaplain of the 45th
Mass this afternoon.  Mr James preached about
bearing much fruit, and Mr Stone about the
prodigal son, and a fellow played the organ
I liked them both very much. I like Mr Stone full as
well as Mr James, There were three ladies sang.
This evening we had a prayer-meeting in the or-
derly's tent.  Mr James was in part of the time
Dr Whitney and George and I prayed.  We had a
very good meeting for a beginning.  May God bless
its influence in the company.  It was a
hard task for me to pray before the company
but God enabled me to do it though with weak-
ness, but He know the desires of my heart, and
is able to bless the influence.  Wrote a short
letter home to send by Southie who is going home
to-morrow, and also sent a package of old letters by
him, Have had a little headache to-day, but God
has seemed near to-day and may He enable me
to honor Him more and serve Him better.

MSS 11293