Thursday 25. About 9 A.M. 54th moved ½ mile out of town, and left set out to pitch camp in a grove and brick-yard –put team on and began hauling out rations of meat and flour (no hard-tack to be had. 100 000 rations lost on the “Burnside”.) About 2 P.M. “fall ins”, and the Regt fell back to town and began to throw up entrenchments –so with the rest of the forces in the town. Seymour scared –the rebels reported to have advanced across “Cedar Creek”, 6 miles out –got my team on and hauled all the rations and plunder in – then hauled for 55th. Lieut Garrison Act. R. Q.M. –hauled 40 000 rounds cartridges to entrenchments –no hardtack! –find an old oven, bakers detailed, dough made, and bread baking all night –made out to ration the Regt. only regt. that got “soft-bread”. Men sleep on their arms, expecting attack every moment. Dr. Bridgham receives his Resignation Papers returned Approved.
Friday 26. No rebs – ran the oven all day –and night –turn in lot of captured horses and mules. Milo’s “moole team”! draw forage –our Regt. working on entrenchments. Major with 3 companies out abt. mile on picket. Bridgham goes north via Head, on “Cosmopolitan”. Wrote to Carleton Shurtleff. 54th and 55th Mass. Regts brigaded, for present under Col. Littlefield.
Saturday 27. 54th & 55th moved out to brick-yard again –all the regiments nearly ordered out again beyond entrenchments. Dickey back to his brigade again –oven working day and night –turning out a kind of indigestible baked paste, very good for diarrhea.
Lieut. Garrison loses a coffin!!
Sunday 28. Most glorious weather! Real Sunday like! Busy at divers matters –putting up stalls for team horses –ration paper –had a bath a ride abt. town with Col. Hooper.
Monday 29. Glorious weather! 54th mustered for pay? Col. Hallowell takes command of the brigade –the 3d brigade Arms Division –3d Brig. = 54th & 55th Mass. Vols. Lieut. Robinson A. A. A. Gen. –Lieut. Perry A. De. Camp –Lt. Ritchie A. A. Q.M. – 144th N. York Vols. –Lt. James of 55th Ord. Officer on Gen. staff –brigade hdqrs. at Florida House –Lieut. Garrison A. R. Q.M. in the 55th –Gen. Gillmore arrives in aft. –hauling rations and forage for brigade. Evening out to 54th camp, and serenade by band of the 55th.
-March 1864-
Tuesday 1. Review of all the troops by Gen. Gillmore. Sent in brigade estimates of C.C. & G. Equipage. “Cyclops” shod, first time since “Wagner”. About 2 P.M. another “scare” –and we fall back behind the entrenchments –get all the plunder back by 5 P.M. –but no signs of Mr. Reb! Wrote to Mr. Lewis & K. In aft. good bread from the oven –no mail –news that the rifles drawn on last Requisition were on the “Burnside” and lost.
Wednesday 2. Cloudy –drawing forage –get from Post Com. 2 dozen pans –can now turn out 200 loaves at a baking. Afternoon a mail! 1 letter from father, 1 from Lizzie Frye, and 3 from K –reading papers in evening. Actual war in Europe! Schleswig-Holstein! Good! Will now let us alone. Grant moving out west.
Thursday 3. Chilly, windy –wrote to K. 55th ordered out to brick-yard again –this time they pitched tents.
Friday 4. 54th moves out near brickyard. Gen. Gillmore leaves for Head. Oven working grandly. Aft. flag of truce –Gen. Beauregard in command of rebs! “immediate surrender of town”!
Saturday 5. A little rain –drawing rations. Col. Littlefield goes to the Head –wrote to Tom Appleton. Afternoon a mail, & the news that on the 25 Feb. the Senate voted to pay us according to the terms of the law we enlisted under? Arrival from Head of our private luggage, books, etc.
Sunday 6. Fine day. Mail! Letter from Franky Garrison, & one from K –papers of the 28th. News of the Olustee disaster arrived North on the 27th.
Monday 7. Baked first batch of bread for 55th –not very successful. Lt. Moser, of 2d S. C. appointed brigade Commissary. Col. Hawley, and Col. Hallowell ordered out of Florida House by Gen. Seymour! to make room for Artillery Captains. Papers of March 1st, & accounts of Olustee fight –wrote to K.
Tuesday 8. Lieut. Moser setting up his brigade Commissary. House assigned to Col. Hallowell by Provost Marshal –no windows in it! we put some in! fixed it up generally –house owned by a Mr. De Costa –next door to “Fanny”. Adjt. Howard goes out to camp. All the regt’l hospitals moved out of town –wrote to father.
Wednesday 9. We move out of the “Florida House” at 7 A.M. and occupy our new quarters –our mess over to the opposite end of town, nearly a mile, in the house assigned to Col. Littlefield. About 3 P.M. the 55th ordered to report to Col. Barton, and embark with his brigade –destination probably Pilatka – the embarkation accomplished in the night. The 55th is still to belong to the brigade, but to be reported on “detached service”? –heavy rain & thunder all night.
Thursday 10. Rained hard all day. Adjt. Robinson sick with chills, & whiskey –read N. Y. Herald of March 3.
Friday 11. Cloudy –sunny –warm –drew forage –working on accounts. About 2 P.M. arrival of “Boston” –Tom Appleton on board, with all our tents and equipage –also Vogelsang and Gambier –hauled up to Commissary everything but tents –the tents to be stored. Mail! and jews harps from father! Letter from Ned Wright, declining the Adjutancy –surgeon Briggs reports.
Saturday 12. Stored all the good tents in a loft on Bay Street –picked out and carried to camp the I. C. ones.
Sunday 13. Glorious day. Col. and I stood for photograph – the all remaining of the original Field and Staff. 10 A.M. inspection of the teams by Lieut. Gregory. 1 team & 1 mule cart – out to camp – jewsharp in evening.
Monday 14. Very busy – 13 wall tents put up – February accounts – drawing rations. Col. has a “barrel” per the “Massachusetts” and dates to the 5th.
Tuesday 15. Drawing Clothing and issuing – very busy all day – arrival of the 7th U.S.C. Troops, Col. Shaw.
Wednesday 16. Cold and raw. Issuing Clothing – mail! Letter from Sam’l Dorety & Mr. Lewis, and 2 from K. with 1 doz. cartes de visite – wrote to K.
Thursday 17. Cyclops gets the glanders – out to camp setting accounts. Mail, but no letters for me – wrote to father. Col. M.S.L. arrives fr. Head – dates to 11th. A bill to equalize pay of colored soldiers passes Senate 31 to 6. “Chaplain” Harrison writes to Colonel that he resigns his commission, on account of “physical disability”? The Paymaster at the Head offered him $7.00 a month pay, which he refused.
Friday 18. Lieut. Garrison down from Palatka – gets clothing and goes to Yellow Bluff. Arrival of Capt. Jones from hospital, Beaufort – also, new Lieut, Jewett. Col. M.S.L. goes to St. Augustine. In evening grand hop! “The Orderly Sergeant went out in the yard, when whom should he meet but the Provost Guard”!
Saturday 19. Porry becomes A.A.A.G. in place of Robinson – draw 11 days rations – “Brigde Letter” – night visited picket posts with Major Appleton.
Sunday 20. Balmy air! – real Sunday – another attempt to get photograph. Inspection of the bakery – ride over to camp of 8th U.S.C.T. Lieut. Garrison here in afternoon. I weigh 150 lbs!
Monday 21. Rained all night – thunder & blitzen.
Tuesday 22. Cold raw day, and rainy – get haversacks and issue them – also drums. Cyclops getting better, ergo, he did not have the glanders.
Wednesday 23. Clear but cold – finished Returns for February & mailed them – hauled up from wharf, (wharf turtle, Clem?) 5 boxes ordnance. Took up the two mules on my papers.
Thursday 24. Fair & cloudy by turns. Gen. Seymour inaugurates his “kidnapping” of “All colored persons of African descent” – Col. M.S.L. in his glory – ditto Col. Montgomery – out to camp. Homans under arrest – quarrel with Silva – wrote to father & K – heavy rain at night.
Friday 25. High wind. Cyclops well again – out to camp – issued rations for 3 days.
Saturday 26. In forenoon out to camp issuing ordnance, 100 riffles – no accoutrements. Aft. mail! Letter fr. K., father, Mr. Lewis, & Carleton Shurtleff. Carleton declines coming as Assist surg. Notification of about a dozen new officers commissioned. Sergeant Major Stephen H. Swails commissioned 2nd Lieut. In 54th Regt. Mass. Vols. March 11th 1864! The 54th still keeps ahead! All this within a year! The world moves.
Sunday 27. Remarkable day with us. Aft. noon mail. Gen. Seymour relieved! Gen Hatch to be his successor! Arrival of new Lieut., Spear, from the 24th Mass. Vols. See in the papers that the bill to equalize the pay of soldiers, from Jan. 1- ’64, had passed Congress – it had no retrospective clause to suit our case. One letter fr. K., but a good one.
Monday 28. Cloudy. Exciting rumor that Gen. Fremont is to have command of this Department! Gen. Hatch and Gen. Gillmore here – our mess at further end of town broken up – we start another at brigade Hdqrs.
Tuesday 29. Very windy. Gen. Gillmore goes up to Pilatka. Robinson goes to the Head.
Wednesday 30. Very windy – drew 10 days rations – over to Division Q.M. Gregory – forced at least to give up the idea of remaining R.Q.M. while really A.A.Q.M. So Lieut. David Reid appointed A.R.Q.M. – turn over stores to him – big scare on all day – orderlies riding about like mad.
Thursday 31. Cloudy – busy at Returns & transfers. Saw in “Peninsular” the provisions of the “Equalizing Bill” – our Regt. to have full pay from date of muster. Meeting of Sergeants before Colonel. Serenade in evening by band of 169th N.Y. Vols.
– April 1864 –
Friday 1. Very windy. Geo. Garrison suddenly appears early in the morning, half-drowned! Blown up on “Maple Leaf” by torpedo, about 4 A.M., 12 miles up the stream – boat sank in the channel – upper deck a foot under water – drew forage. Aft. visit to the 7th U.S.C.T. At work on ordnance – wrote to K.
Saturday 2. High wind – out to camp. Sharp skirmish at the front in aft.
Sunday 3. Real Sunday feeling day – glorious weather! Ordnance papers. Aft. mail per “Massachusetts” – letter from father – wrote to father – night 15 transports in the stream! Arrival 3d N.H. mounted infty.
Monday 4. Very windy. Arrival of Arago’s mail – letter from Mr. Lewis, & 1 from K. & Arthur Poole. Jews harps from father!
Tuesday 5. Good weather. Gambier leaves me to-day – goes to “Stacy & Scottron” Sutlers to 3rd U.S.C.T. Draw bootees for the regiment.
Wednesday 6. Finish and mail my R.Q.M. & A.A.Q.M. returns for March.
Thursday 7. At work on Ordnance Papers. Charles picks up humming bird. Col. receives another anon. letter – sees Gen. Ames and Gen. Hatch. Applies again to go North, Gen. Hatch approving.
Friday 8. Busy on Ordnance Papers.
Saturday 9. Morning had a sudden attack of Cholera morbus – got the better of it.
Sunday 10. My Regimental Bakery closed. Post baking is finished, & ready to supply bread. Draw rations from Division Commissary, Capt. Wheaton – finished and mailed Ordnance Return.
Monday 11. Mail! Letter from father, & from K. Sister & Mr. Lewis go to New York on 1st April.
Tuesday 12. Another mail! Letter fr. Mr. Lewis N. York 6th – one fr. K. Many regiments ordered North – wrote to father & Mr. Lewis. 8th U.S.C. Troops assigned to our brigade.
Wednesday 13. Wrote to K. Col. Hawley embarks with most of his brigade – we immediately occupy his quarters. Baked first lot of beans in the oven for the Regiment – a success. Draw Clothing for brigade, 54th & 55th Mass. & 8th U.S.C.T. – Issue it. Capt Bailey in command of 8th. E. B. Burrows, R.Q.M.
Thursday 14. Appropriate the vacated stables of the 7th N.H., for the 3d Brigade – all day moving in.
Friday 15. Rainy – 55th arrives from Palatka – Col. Hartwell dines with us. At 4 P.M. 54th receives orders to embark immediately on “Cosmopolitan” for Hilton Head, with 4 days cooked rations. The “Cosmopolitan” now at Palatka, and due here 12 P.M. Put teams and kept them running all night, transferring from camp to the wharf. Extra detail on the tents – no appearance of steamer – settling brigade accts.
Saturday 16. Good weather. “Cosmopolitan” arrived at noon. The “Gen. Hunter” blown up alongside the “Maple Leaf” by torpedo – total loss – boarded “Cosmopolitan” in afternoon. The 55th Mass. has orders to embark.
– My pay was $467.22 –
Sunday 17. 54th embarked on Cosmopolitan about 9 A.M. Major Teneyck, Paymaster, came aboard as we lay at the wharf and paid the officers 4 months’ pay to March 1 – 1864. Left Jacksonville at 12 M. – arrived at the bar found several steamers awaiting tide to get across – lay to couple hours. Abt. 5 underway & passed the bar. Smooth water and pleasant trip through the night – no sickness – excellent accommodations for men and officers – plenty of room. Sailing orders to go direct to Stono, Folly Island.
Monday 18. Made Stono at 7½ A.M. At 9½ move on for Pawnee Landing – run aground, and wait for tide – wrote to father, Mr. Lewis, & K. Pawnee at 3 P.M. – raining in torrents. Regiment disembarks and marches up to Light House Inlet – crossed, and bivouaced on Morris Island. Co. D. Capt. Jones & Lieut. Duren remain with me to discharge the Camp & Garrison Equipage. The “Neptune” with part of 55th comes along and delays us an hour. The “Neptune” refuses to move and we have to discharge through her on to our boat, the “Standish.” Got to work at 8 P.M. The “Standish” loaded by midnight, pulls off, & the “Golden Gate” comes up – got her loaded by
Tuesday 19. 3 A.M. – work done, and short rest till 6 A.M. The “Standish” pushed on up the creek to Morris Island, starting at high tide, 5 A.M. – but the “Golden Gate” afraid, and lost the tide – Capt. had no pilot and didn’t feel sure, and at noon walked up Folly to Inlet to report progress. The Capt. found a way, and about 5 P.M. reached Morris via the outer channel. Lieut. Lewis Reed & Co. I on the dock to discharge her. Camp of 54th pitched abt. a mile up the beach, above the Signal Hill, or Mt. Silex – Island much washed away. Col. Davis in command of Post. 3 companies of 54th at Black Island, & 1 in Wagner – bunked with Col. at Post. Hdqrs.
Wednesday 20. A 54th man killed by shell at Wagner. Getting rations and forage up to camp. In Aft. put up Commissary Tent. Col. Hallowell made Post Commandant, relieving Col. Davis, who goes to Head – myself probably to relieve Weidensaul as Post Q.M. – horrible!
Thursday 21. At noon Col. Montgomery arrives with his brigade, the 34th U.S.C.T. Col. Marple, & 21st U.S.C.T. Lt. Col. Bennett, Col. Littlefield’s Regt. Col. Montgomery relieves Col. Hallowell as Port Com’t . Mail! Letter from Mr. Lewis (Washington), father & K. with photograph – wrote to father & K.
Friday 22. Glorious weather – wrote to Mr. Lewis. 104 Penn. ordered to Head – got served tent-frames from their camp. Mail & papers from father – putting up Hdqrs. tents at Camp – another 54th man dies in hospital.
Saturday 23. 127th N.Y. Vols. Arrives, Col. Gurney. Col Gurney to relieve Col. Montgomery as Post Commandant. Put my tent. Only 2 companies in camp – 3 at Black Island, 3 Left Batteries as “boat-infantry,” & 2 on Provost Guard. At dark almost a mutiny in Co. A – Col. quells it.
Sunday 24. Rainy – setting up my 3d Brigade Accounts. Aft. rode over with Major to Brat Infantry. Lieut. Leonard in command – symptoms of mutiny there, too.
Monday 25. Clear and very windy. The Old Morris Island Beacon House tumbles down. Col. Hooper takes command in Fort Wagner.
Tuesday 26. Clear and calm – working at Returns. Adjt. Howard comes up to camp, but on crutches.
Wednesday 27. Clear. Mutiny on Co. H, Black Island. Col. goes over and quells it. Finished and mailed Returns for April closing up 3d brigade accts. Boat Infantry companies relieved by 127th N.Y. 7 companies now in camp.
Thursday 28. Gen. Hatch, in command of the department, visits Morris Island. Col’s going North knocked in the Head. Aft. very severe wind squall – lasts all night – many tents blown down.
Friday 29. Quite cold and high wind. Inspection in Afternoon. My first appearance in command of Q.M. squad! 2 Sergts, 1 Corpl., & 5 privates.
Saturday 30. 54th regt again mustered for pay! Capt Walton detailed Judge Advocate on General Schimmelfennig’s Staff. Capt. Grace made Chief Ordnance Officer Morris Island!
– May 1864 –
Sunday 1. May day and a most lovely one – wrote to K., and Mr. Lewis – Milo’s photograph. Aft. rode up to Wagner with Tom Appleton. Tornado and thunder storm. Col. Hallowell on as G.O.D.
Monday 2. Cold weather – wrote to uncle – no mail – Major as G.O.D. – Comparing Muster Rolls in evening.
Tuesday 3. Cold. Muster Rolls all day. Aft. arrival of new lieut. – Lieut. Rogers – no mail.
Wednesday 4. Clear but not warm – finished Muster Rolls – finished Clothing & Property Returns, as R.Q.M., for April. Abt. 5 P.M. rode up to Wagner to see “Burns” – Grand shell firing by rebs – see “Dickey”.
Thursday 5. Good weather. Aft. drawing Clothing.
Friday 6. Glorious weather. Issuing Clothing. Arrival of 32d U.S.C.T., Col. Bayard. Col. B. dines with us. Drummers photographed.
Saturday 7. 12 Contrabands, 8 men & 4 women, come in in a dug-out about 2 A.M., near Gregg. They came from 5 miles above Charleston, & belonged to one David Lausanne. Col. Harper takes command of Fort Green. The upper part of Folly made port of the Post – “Cyclops” lame – see a paper of the 30th Ult.
Sunday 8. Under the weather – Capt. Walton here.
Monday 9. Arrival of another monitor – 7 in all now. Co. I. goes to Black Island.
Tuesday 10. Cyclops better – Rations. Aft. over to Black Island.
Wednesday 11. High wind. The “Massachusetts” appears in Offing.
Tuesday 12. We hear that a large mail, 143 bags is at the Head! Arrived per “Fulton” at Head Tuesday. About 3 P.M. Geo. Garner Co. B. man shot refusing to do duty, by Lieut Newell – ball went through right side, slight wound. 4 P.M. – arrival of Capt. Jewett, Lieuts. Swails, Hallet & Cousens. Swails assigned to D. At last Bill to pay us passed Congress! By Cousens a lot of splendid Jews harps from father! Block house boat Expedition – fizzle.
Friday 13. The mail arrives! 5 letters from K., 3 from father, 4 from Mr. Lewis, 1 from Franky Garrison, 1 from Mrs. Alden – 14 in all! “All well at home”. Mr. Lewis & sister making arrangements to come down here. At noon 2 monitors, Gregg and Chatfield open on Sumpter – rode up to Chatfield to see the practice – wrote to K.
Saturday 14. Papers of May 7th. Grant’s Army crosses the Rapidan! “On to Richmond”! The “Fulton” goes up, and takes dispatches from the fleet. 2 monitors engage Sumpter all the forenoon. James Island waked up and pitches over 212 shots in 2 hours – “no one hurt”. Detail from 54th for the Block House Expedition – “Remember Fort Pillow”. Block House found empty.
Sunday 15. Glorious weather! At noon large Newspaper mail – large quantity for me! Boston papers!
Monday 16. Fine weather. Plenty of news from rebel sources – unfavorable in forenoon, but in afternoon, to the effect that the rebs were driven back into Richmond, and our Army within 4 miles of the city! Gen. Seymour a prisoner & 2 whole divisions of rebels captured! At work on accounts – wrote to father. Lieut. Tomlinson resigns, May 3d 1864.
Tuesday 17. Making out Ration Paper, with endorsements. Aft. the “Arago” goes down. Papers come ashore via the “Ironsides” for Col. Hallowell – dates to 14th – from Grant to 10th – hard fighting, but our army driving the rebs steady down into Richmond! Butler at Petersburg keeping Beauregard at bay – army moving out west, under Sherman. Gens. Sedgwich & Stevenson killed – Longstreet wounded – Stuart & Johnston prisoners.
Wednesday 18. Sunrise, noon & sunset the fleet fires salute & dresses ship – thunder showers. First appearance “Swamp Angel”.
Thursday 19. Dr. Charles E. Briggs reports as Surgeon – also new Lieut., Edmands – noon, mail – 1 letter from Mr. Lewis, 1 from K – Co. F goes into Fort Purviance. 34th U.S.C.T. leaves in night for St. Augustine. Wrote to Mr. Lewis & K.
Friday 20. Present of door from Capt. Jewett. Aft. rode to Purviance and Left Batteries. Capt. Jewett detailed as Post Adjutant – most glorious moonlight evening!
Saturday 21. Good weather – a 2d man shot for refusing to do duty. Co. H, by Capt. Tucker, Black Island – shot in the arm. Photographs taken, with Adjutant – moonlight!
Sunday 22. Very warm – in morning my first salt water bath of season – splendid. Schimmylifter makes a “reconnaisance” on south end of James Island – 55th baptized – over to Fort Green to see “Bueno”. Aft. passes North.
Monday 23. Very warm – bath – under the weather – heavy firing all day on James Island. Old canvass & mess shelters – wrote to Wm E. Alden – moonlight.
Tuesday 24. Moderate – bath – not very well – Charles unwell – wrote to K.
Wednesday 25. Cool & refreshing – bath in morning – “Uncle Charles” sick – thinks he would like to go North! 2 P.M. the “Fulton” goes down – news signaled ashore from
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the fleet. Grant holds his own, but so does Lee, and hardly so Butler. Sherman doing splendidly! Taken Rome & Kingston, & marching on Atlanta! In evening see & read a paper of 21st. Major General Foster on the “Fulton” – he is to take command of this “Dept. of the South”.
Thursday 26. Moderate – bath – Charles improving – heavy thunder storm – no mail – we purchase case cider.
Friday 27. Bath in morning, which is now the rule of 54th Hdqrs. Mail per Fulton arrives! 2 letters from K. – 2 from Mr. Lewis – “Card” from “Marshall and Mary”, receive friends evening of June 1- 1864 – huge quantity of Boston papers! Mr. Lewis writes that every attempt to get pass to Morris Island has failed. Lieut. Littlefield reports. Adjutant’s horse dies – “Cyclops” now the sole representative! Wrote to Mr. Lewis & K.
Saturday 28 of May! Just one year ago today the 54th marched down State Street! Wrote 2d letter to Mr. Lewis suggesting a way to get down here. Col. Hooper & Capt. Emilio ordered to Head on court martial – severe thunder shower in night.
Sunday 29. Very windy & cold. Armorer John Moore has his pocket book, containing $50.00, stolen from him. Lieut. Leonard goes to Head to be mustered.
Monday 30. Windy – drawing rations – “Fulton” goes up.
Tuesday 31. Cool & pleasant – wrote to K. – map. At noon “Massachusetts” arrives off in fleet. Col. goes out in boat, a basket and papers. Grant still victorious! Flanks Lee, and drives him south of the North Anna! Major General Foster rides to the front – funeral of Amsley Means, Co. I. – our regiment disposed thus,
Companies C, H, & I on Black Island
“ D. in Fort Shaw
“ E. “ Fort Green
“ F. “ “Purviance
“ G. on Provost Guard
“ A, B, & K in Camp.
June 1864
Wednesday 1. Warm day. Drawing Clothing & issuing it.
Thursday 2. Cold. Mail per “Massachusetts”. 1 letter from Mr. Lewis, & 1 from Classmate Wright – also quantities of newspapers. Issuing Clothing.
Friday 3. Working on return. Dr. Pease’s resignation paper returned approved. He goes to Head tomorrow. “Charles” to go with him – $130 – heavy rain in the night. Major as G.O.D.
Saturday 4. Very warm. Dr. Pease leaves early in the morning, taking “Uncle Charles” with him – another landmark gone. Arrival of lot of Express matter from Head. Adjt. has box of clothing. I buy blouse of him. Part of Moore’s money turns up – draw Hospital Tent for Regimental Hdqrs. Capt. Grace furnish the lumber for frame. Col. on as G.O.D. Green peas and string beans! Charcoal pit.
Sunday 5. Warm – bathing – mail per “Arago” – letter from K. Dr. Bridgham arrives. Photograph of Adjt. “Jimmey” “By George!” Excellent and fat! Q.M. blanks per mail. News that Grant has again flanked Lee and crossed the Pamunkey! Alexander Branson, Co. B., detailed to take place of “Uncle Charles” – have my hair cut – ride to landing then up to Chatfield. Major take command in Fort Green – wrote to father.
Monday 6. Very warm – bathing – wrote to “Jimmy” – “Ironsides” weighs anchor and lays outside the bar. Moultrie shells the fleet opposite out camp. Charcoal pit – visit Lieut. Stevens in Post hospital. At 7½ P.M. Colonel has a telegram from Gen. Schimmelfennig to proceed to Hilton Head immediately – later an order from Gen. Foster to report at Hilton Head & go North in the “Arago” to see to the pay of the 54th & 55th Mass. Regts.! Verily a Daniel! Colonel set off immediately at 8 P.M. taking “Chance” with him. This left me, a Q.M. in command of the Regt.!
Tuesday 7. Warm weather. At sunrise our batteries open on a reb tug-boat aground up the harbor, & knock it all to pieces – range about 2 miles. “Ironsides” no longer to be seen in the offing – gone North for repairs. Major relieves me at 10 A.M.! Hubbard, carpenter, begins work on frame for Hdqrs. Tent. At 6 P.M. the “Arago” goes up – we watch her from Mt. Silex — Abt. 10 P.M. false alarm from one of the monitors, and partial “turn out” of the forces here.
Wednesday 8. Cool and pleasant. Major G.O.D. – finish May Returns. Carpenter at work – news that Lee is driven into Richmond, & Grant within 8 miles of Richmond! In aft. Major Porter pays the officers 2 mos. pay to April 30th. The men refuse the $7.00 notes. My pay $234.34. Tom Appleton sick.
Thursday 9. Warm – bathing – writing Invoices – Hubbard lays floor of Tent – put glass window in my door. At noon further good news, through rebel sources. Charcoal made, and our “filter” established. Lieut. Leonard returns from the Head – wrote to K.
Friday 10. Intolerably hot all forenoon. Aft. a most refreshing thunder storm. At 6 P.M. the “Fulton” goes down. News signaled ashore. Grant under the works of Richmond! Sherman at Marietta! Wrote to K. in evening.
Saturday 11. Cool. Thunder storm in aft. Over to Purviance, and Black Island, with Major.
Sunday 12. Day begins warm and sultry. Aft. a gale and storm comes up, of great violence, lasting through the night. John H. Johnson, Co. H., accidentally shot on picket, 3 A.M. He dies in afternoon. Wrote to father. Mail comes at noon – 1 letter from Mr. Lewis, 1 fr. Mary Rice, & 2 fr. K. Abt. 20 or 30 newspapers! – bundle to “All hands round 54th Mass. Regt.” from friend Scherabe. The 32d ordered off. A very blue day, which my letters did not improve.
Monday 13. Severe storm all day. The 33rd from Beaufort arrives on Island – wrote to Col. Hallowell. Sergt. Lee goes to Head & Beaufort for vegetables for regiment – another blue day – stormy, cold, dreary.
Tuesday 14. Storm abating somewhat. Dr. Bridgham goes to Beaufort sick. The 33d encamps above us – hard on the “Expeditionary” man! The 32d not to leave yet. The men for a wonder quite merry at nightfall.
Wednesday 15. Weather clear again. Hubbard at work – put new old fly on my tent. Company G ordered back to camp, arrives up in the afternoon – gives place to company of the 127th N.Y. The “Fulton” goes up at 6 P.M. The Grand Guard all colored now – no detail from the 127th. Moonlight fine. Man shot for mutiny in 21st.
Thursday 16. Cloudy but warm. Hubbard finishes Hdqrs. Abt. 5 P.M. great display by the rebs – firing round the whole line, from Battery Marshal, Beach Inlet to Secessionville, Pinckney, Ripley, City batteries, & two rams – guns mostly shotted – we fear a great rebel victory. News per schooner up to 11th all night. Grant inside outer entrenchments of Richmond! Wrote to K.
Friday 17. Cool weather. Afternoon moved mess tents – built frame for one of them – sodding etc – very tired – glorious moonlight.
Saturday 18. Cool. At noon “Bueno” comes up, and for good – the court martial finished – Capt. Emilio also returns to his company. On Folly Island, Wallace Baker, private, of the 55th Mass. Vols., shot for mutiny – wrote to K.
Sunday 19. Splendid weather – 4 of us have bath in morning, & best of the season. Major ordered to Fort Green – wrote to K – Gen Schimmylifter rides by. Tom Appleton visits us. Sergeant Lee returns at 9 P.M. with vegetables.
Monday 20. Cool day. Another horse dies. I turn in remaining two & the waggon. Major goes to Fort Green. Mail per “Arago” – 4 letter from Mr. Lewis, & 2 fr. K. Papers in profusion. Mr. Lewis & Lizzie probably coming down! The firing of 16th explained – Jeff on visit to city – 12 recruits arrive for us! Wrote to uncle. See & talk with Washington Smith, just escaped from Charleston, who saw Sergt. Simmons & others of our men, prisoners there.
Tuesday 21. Cool & a breeze – wrote to Col. H. News fr. Rebel paper that Grant was between Petersburg & Richmond! Steamer “Flambeau” arrives at dark, confirming news of the new “flank movement” – “Col. Gurney goes to Head” – moonlight.
Wednesday 22. Glorious bath – windy day – turning in Ordnance – ride up with Capt. Pope in the gig!
Thursday 23. Bathing – very warm day. Aft. put door in Col. Hooper’s tent – bath with Lt. Leonard at dark. “Arago” goes up.
Friday 24. Warm – bath. The 33d goes to Folly, and the 52 Penn. arrives here in its place. Col. Hooper G.O.D. I accompany him in his round in gig! Filling in front Hdqrs.
Saturday 25. Warm – bath morning and evening. Corp’l Field serving for me. Ord. Papers begun.
Sunday 26. Exceeding warm – bath – wrote to K – sunstroke, unwell all day. The “Fulton” goes down at 7 A.M.
Monday 27. Exceeding hot. Tolerably smart. At noon exciting rumor that Grant had taken Petersburg & 40000 prisoner.
Tuesday 28. Windy, increasing to a gale at night – filling in the “parterre”. Mail at noon! 3 fr. K – 2 fr. Mr. Lewis, 1 from father, & 44 papers! 2 letters from Col. H. Sister & Mr. Lewis to come down in next steamer, “Arago”! Wrote to Col. H. & to father.
Wednesday 29. Very windy – filling up parterre etc. Adjt. Howard applies for leave of absence to go North – not very well – working on Ordnance. Capt. Walton up from Folly, to hold a Court here for a time.
Thursday 30. Warm, cloudy. Early in forenoon orders received to have 3 days cooked rations in haversack, 80 rounds ammunition, in light marching order, & ready to move at dark! Everybody busy drawing rations, & ammunition – short of wood – wrote to Mr. Lewis at the Head, also to K, father, & Col. H. The “Fulton” goes up abt. 5 P.M. At 6 P.M. the regt. drawn up in line on the beach ready equipped – axes & shovels. Orders come that the whole movement postponed 24 hours – bah.
– July 1864 –
Friday 1. Warm cloudy – finishing up papers and getting ready for the night. At 6 ½ P.M. the Regt. ordered to march to the landing and cross over. Two anonymous letters to Col. Hooper disposed of – written by majorities of Companies A & B. The orders are that the 21st U.S.C.T. & 54th Mass. Vols. shall cross to Folly at dusk and march down to Stono rapidly. The 21st precedes us and crosses first, in pontoons, scows, and boats – we begin crossing at 9 P.M. and all across & march begun at 10 ¼ P.M. We marched 8 miles to Stono, arriving thither at 1 A.M. Saturday morning. The men carried 3 days cooked rations in haversack, 80 round cartridges, and rubber blanket. Of 54th Regt. there were 7 companies in this part of the expedition, under command of Lt. Col. Hooper – viz. A. 2d Lt. Rogers – B Lts. Newell, & Hallett – D. Capt. Jones & 2d Lt. Swails – E Capt. Emilio, Lts. Chipman & Cousens – F. Capt Bridge & Lt. Duren – G, Lt. David Reid, and
K. Lts. Leonard & Jewett. 13 Line Officers in all. Of Field & Staff, Col. Hooper, Maj. Appleton, Qr. Mr. Ritchie, and Adjt. Howard. In all 17 officers, & 363 muskets. Dr. Briggs retained on Morris – an Assist. Surg. assigned to us in his place. Companies C, H, & I remain on Black Island, under command Capt. Homans. We take our horses as far as Stono, and leave them in charge of Branson.
Saturday 2. At 2 A.M. we go aboard the “Frazer” to be ferried across to Cole Island – most culpable delay – aground at the wharf – pulled off by the “Standish” – aground on Cole, in the little creek, the scene our embarkation last year on the “Gen Hunter”. Daylight, 4 A.M. – by the time we were all disembarked on Cole – rapid march of 3 miles towards James Island. At 6 A.M. we crossed the “Rubicon”, and double-quicked on to James, just at the “Hdqrs. building” of last year – – – Before daybreak a force under command of Col. Hartwell, consisting of the 103d N.Y., the 33d U.S.C.T., & 55th Mass. Vols., had crossed on to James from Tiger and Long Islands, started the evening’s pickets, and carried a line of rifle-pits, and a battery of 2 brass 24 pounders – – – Our force, the 54th N.Y. &74th Penn & the 54th Mass., under Gen. Schimmelfenning, marched to the front, joined Col. Hartwell’s, and held the line of rifle-pits – shovels & spades at work – lively fire from rebel field-piece – no engagement during day – unparalleled heat. The Major sun-struck & sent to Folly Island early in the day – later Capt. Jones sent off delerious. Lt. Reid and Chipman badly affected – recover at sundown. Lt. Newell seriously sunstruck. Cornelius Price of Co. A killed by solid shot. Hall, of Co. D drops dead on his post from heat – military burial on the spot, Col. Heine, 103d, leading – during day over 50 of our Regt. sent to rear sun-struck – most of the cases well at sundown – white regiments suffered far worse than ours – was up to the pits in aft. – men rather blue 4 & 5 P.M. Abt. 6 P.M. a monitor crosses the bar and goes up the Stono, on our flank! Things looking brighter Gurney & Homans telegraphed to “to act well their parts+. Abt. 11 P.M. “our lines drawn in”, and new line occupied, just at hdqrs. This makes fizzle of the whole thing – night quiet. Co. K. nearly “left out in the cold” – mosquitoes many, large, and enterprising.
Sunday 3. Just at dawn we hear firing at Fort Johnson, of about half hour’s duration. Gurney had made his attack on Johnson and failed – he had the 127th N.Y. and 52d Penn. Col. Gurney failing, Capt. Homans did not make his attack on Secessionville. More boats pass up the Stono – the monitors “Montauk” & “Lehigh”, & gunboats “Pawnee” and “Mc Donough”. At noon reconnaissance by the rebs – abt 1 regiment strong. They would not come to us & we would n’t go to them – no fight. 6 piece artillery on our line. Dr. Briggs joins us in afternoon. Lt. Newell sick, and sent to hospital. Our regt. on the left in the pits – heavy firing heard on John’s Island. Hatch reported doing well – very hot weather. Capts Walton and Appleton on Gen. Schimmelfennings staff. Major Morrison of the one hundred and trei! vs. Lt. Hallett, Co. B!
Monday 4. Warm morning – gale and storm during afternoon – all of us thoroughly wet through. Forenoon took long walk with Lt. Leonard round the picket line. Sergt. Lee comes up. In afternoon heavy picket firing – several wounded. Gen. Birney with 7th, 34th, & 35th, U.S.C.T. Two 30-pounder Parrotts arrive – our men off picket at dark – whiskey ration. In the night draw 2 days rations, from Commissary Depot on Cole Island – picket firing all night.
Tuesday 5. Our line of pits extended to the creek on the right, and the woods on the left. Firing from Pringle and Lamar – our position changed – the 54th Mass. & 33d U.S. given the centre under Col. Hooper – very quiet night.
Wednesday 6. Cooler day – steamer from North in, & papers of 1st on island – strengthening our line. The right under Col. Hartwell, 55th Mass., 21st U.S., & 103d Penn. The centre under Col. Hooper, 54th Mass. & 33d U.S. The left, 54th N.Y., 74th Penn., & Gen. Birney’s brigade – wrote to Mr. Lewis at Head – also to Col. Hallowell – drawing rations – we build ourselves pine-tree tent. Branson comes up from Stono – send Milo to take the horses up to Morris.
Thursday 7. Very hot – took bath in creek, muddy but still a luxury – fresh meat ration – wrote to K. Mail arrives! 1 letter from “Jimmy” at Lenox, 2 fr. K., & 2 fr. Mr. Lewis. Mr. Lewis & sister probably at Head! Wrote to them to proceed straight to Morris. See in Paper the death of Carol Shurtleff.
Friday 8. Very warm – reading papers – severe bombardment of Pringle by our monitors – fight on John’s Island – severe loss & repulse on our side. Gen. Birney’s brigade sent over to John’s. Gen. Foster here again.
Emancipation Project 