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HISTORY of the FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT
of
MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
1863-1865
by Luis Fenollosa Emilio
Published:
Boston:
The History Book Company
1894.
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CHAPTER VII.
BOMBARDMENT OF CHARLESTON
[Page 128]
MORRIS
ISLAND was ours; but no sooner had the enemy
evacuated than Wagner, Gregg, and the intervening ground were daily
subjected to a fire from the James and Sullivan's Island batteries.
A heavy action on land and water occurred on the morning of
September 8, occasioned by the grounding of the monitor "Weehawken;"
and in the course of the day a magazine blew up in Moultrie, and the
village of Moultrieville, was set on fire by our shells.
Admiral Dahlgren having demanded the surrender
of Sumter, which was refused, a night assault was determined upon
jointly by the army and navy; but differences arose regarding the
command. When the time came, Gillmore's force was
detained in shallow waters by the tide. Commander T. H.
Stevens, with eighteen officers and some four hundred sailors
and marines, embarked in thirty boats for the enterprise. The
leaders landed at Sumter after midnight on the 9th. Major
Elliott was prepared for and received the assault with
musketry and fragments of the epaulment. In a few minutes all
was over, for the brave leaders, finding it impossible to scale the
walls, were made prisoners. Our loss was ten officers and one
hundred and four men captured and three men killed.
As Forts Wagner and Gregg were ordered to be turned for
offensive purposes, a covered way between these two
Jeremiah Rolls, 1st Sergt., Co. I
Abram C. Simms, Corp., Co. I,
George Lipscomb, Corp., Co. I
Thomas Bowman, Sergt., Co. I
Isom Ampey, Pvt., Co. K
John H. Wilson, Sergt. Major
[Page 129]
works begun, and new batteries ordered to be constructed,
there were heavy demands for fatigue. Besides its
details at Cumming's Point, the Fifty-fourth soon began to
send working parties for the "Bluff Battery" in the
southerly sand-hills near the beach-front. To retard
our progress with the works at the front, the enemy
maintained a constant cannonade. Batteries Simkins and
Cheves were most active against us. On the 15th the
enemy's magazine in the latter work was accidentally blown
up with 1,200 pounds of powder, causing some casualties.
The force of this explosion was felt all over Morris Island.
Black Island, between Morris and James islands, where we had
a battery, was also frequently shelled.
First Sergeant Gray of Company C had received a
Masonic charter and organized a lodge on Morris Island.
The meeting-place was a dry spot in the marsh near our camp,
where boards were set up to shelter the members.
Furloughs for thirty days having been granted a certain
proportion of the troops, the Fifty-fourth men selected
departed, overjoyed at the prospect of seeing home and
friends. The equinoctial storm set in about the middle
of
September, accompanied by high tides and wind. The
dike protecting our camp was broken, and the parade
overflowed, necessitating considerable labor to repair
damages. With the cessation of this severe storm
cooler weather came, — a most welcome relief.
In recognition of the capture of Morris Island and the
demolition of Sumter, General Gillmore was
promoted major-general of volunteers. To do him honor,
a review of the First Division, Tenth Army Corps, took place
on Morris Island September 24. Partial relief from
excessive labors had permitted the troops to refit.
Line was formed
[Page 130]
on the beach at low tide, the division extending a distance of some
two miles. The pageant was unsurpassed in the history of the
department. Our colored brigade presented a fine appearance,
and many compliments for the Fifty-fourth were received by Captain
Emilio, commanding.
Paymaster Usher arrived in camp September 27, ready to
pay the men $10 per month from enlistment, less $3 per month
deducted for clothing. Upon the non-commissioned officers
being assembled, they with great unanimity declined the reduced
payment for themselves and their comrades. The paymaster again
came on the 30th to renew his offer. It was on this date that
Colonel Montgomery appeared and made the men a
remarkable and characteristic address, which Sergeant
Stephens of Company B has given in substance as follows: -
"Men: the
paymaster is here to pay you. You must remember you have not
proved yourselves soldiers. You must take notice that the
Government has virtually paid you a thousand dollars apiece for
setting you free. Nor should you expect to be placed on the
same footing with white men. Any one listening to your
shouting and singing can see how grotesquely ignorant you are.
I am your friend and the friend of the negro. I was the first
person in the country to employ nigger soldiers in the United States
Army. I was out in Kansas. I was short of men. I
had a lot of niggers and a lot of mules; and you know a nigger and a
mule go very well together. I therefore enlisted the niggers,
and made teamsters of them. In refusing to take the pay
offered you, and what you are only legally entitled to, you are
guilty of insubordination and mutiny, and can be tried and shot by
court-martial."
Montgomery
besides made some gross and invidious insinuations and reflections
because the Fifty-fourth men
[Page 131]
were so light-colored, which it would be improper to repeat.
The colonel seemed to be unaware that his remarks were insulting,
and most of the men he addressed born free.
Sergt. Henry Stewart, of Company E, a faithful
soldier who had actively engaged in recruiting the regiment, died of
disease September 27, and was buried with proper honors. His
and other deaths, with an increased sick list, called for sanitary
measures about this time. No radical change of camp was
possible, as the ground available for such purposes was limited; but
tents were struck so that the air and sun could reach the ground
beneath, and a daily inspection of streets, sinks, and the cooked
food instituted.
The Sanitary Commission furnished ice, raspberry
vinegar, pickles, and other needed supplies; but there was a lack of
fresh vegetables. Early in October, however, Mr.
Reuben Tomlinson brought a large supply for the
Fifty-fourth, - a present from the contrabands about Beaufort and
similar welcome gifts followed from the same source from time to
time. Tobacco, dried apples, lime-juice, writing-paper,
brushes, etc., were purchased with the company funds, as the men had
no money.
To replace the State color lost on July 18, Governor
Andrew caused a new one to be forwarded to the Fifty-fourth.
Its receipt on October 2 was attended with great enthusiasm, the
rousing cheers of the men being heard for a mile around.
It was noticeable about the 1st of October that our
fire was stronger than for several weeks upon Sumter, Johnson, and
Moultrie. Two monitors were doing picket duty near the island.
The monotony of daily events was broken at 10 A.M.,
[Page 132]
October 5, by the sound of the long-roll. Shots had been heard
among the naval vessels. Our regiment took position in the old
Confederate rifle trenches near Oyster Point on the inlet.
This alarm was caused by the attempt of Lieut. William T.
Glassell, C. S. N., to blow up the "Ironsides." With a
small boat - the "David" - he exploded a spar torpedo near our
iron-clad without serious damage to that vessel; but the "David" was
swamped. Glassell and one of his men were captured.
The other two men righted their craft and returned to the city by
midnight. This enterprise was one of the boldest undertakings
of the war, and nearly successful.
Henry N. Hooper, formerly captain, Thirty-second
Massachusetts Infantry, commissioned major of the Fifty-fourth,
arrived October 16, and relieved Captain Emilio of the command.
It was his fortune to lead the regiment for a longer period and in
more actions than any other officer, owing to the assignment of
Colonel Hallowell to higher command. On all
occasions he proved an able and courageous soldier. Colonel
Hallowell, promoted during his absence, returned the day
after Major Hooper's arrival, and was waited upon by
the officers, who expressed their pleasure at his recovery and
return. A stanch friend of the Fifty-fourth was a visitor in
camp about this time, in the person of Albert G. Browne, Esq.,
the special agent of the Treasury Department, whose headquarters
were at Beaufort. His son, Col. Albert G. Browne, Jr.,
was the military secretary of Governor Andrew, and also one
of the regiment's early and tried friends.
There had been several promotions in consequence of the
action of July 18. Lieutenant Smith was made
captain of Company G, but was still North; Lieutenant
Walton,
[Page 133]
captain of Company B, vice Willard, resigned. Second
Lieutenants T. L. Appleton, Tucker, Howard,
Pratt, and Littlefield were made first lieutenants.
These officers were all present except Lieutenant Pratt,
who never re-joined. Captain Bridge and
Lieutenant Emerson had returned from sick leave.
Lieutenants E. G. Tomlinson and Charles G. Chipman,
appointed to the regiment, had joined. A number of the wounded
had returned from hospital, and the first lot of furloughed men came
back, and with them Capt. J. W. M. Appleton. By these
accessions the Fifty-fourth had more officers and men present toward
the last of October than at any time after it left St. Helena
Island.
Our new and old works being in readiness at Cumming's
Point, what General Gillmore calls the "second
bombardment of Sumter" was begun October 26. Its purpose was
to prevent guns being mounted there, and to cut down the southeast
face, that the casemates of the channel face be taken in reverse.
General Seymour had returned and assumed command of
the island on the 18th. Under his direction our batteries
opened from seven heavy rifles (including a three-hundred-pounder)
in Wagner, and four in Gregg and from two mortars. Some fire
was directed against Fort Johnson also, the enemy replying briskly.
The next day the cannonade was renewed with one gun in Gregg turned
upon the city. Our range against Sumter being less than was
the case during Wagner's siege, rendered the force of our shot much
greater. Sharpshooters in Sumter armed with the long-range
Whitworth rifles were trying to disable our gunners in Gregg,
without success.
After four days' bombardment, a breach was disclosed in
the southeast face of Sumter, extending half its length, on
[Page 134]
which our land and sea fire was concentrated. For about a week
longer our bombardment was kept up with great vigor, during which
time the enemy suffered many casualties, and Sumter was pounded into
a mound of debris covering the lower casemates, in which the
garrison found safe refuge. Through the centre of the Morris
Island face of Sumter the terre-plein could be seen.
Major Elliott apprehended another assault and prepared
for it.
In honor of some of the officers who had fallen during
the operations, Gregg was renamed Fort Putnam; Wagner, Fort Strong;
the Bluff Battery, Fort Shaw; the new work near Gregg, Battery
Chatfield; a work on Lighthouse Inlet, Battery Purviance; and
another opposite the last, on Folly Island, Fort Green. By the
same order General Gillmore announced that medals of honor,
his personal gift, would be furnished to three per cent of the
enlisted men who had borne part in the engagements and siege.
This medal, however, was not received for some months. In the
case of the Fifty-fourth it was awarded to the four men specially
mentioned in Colonel Halloweirs report of the assault
of July 18, previously printed herein. There arrived for the
regiment a present from Mrs. Colonel Shaw of one thousand
small copies of the Gospels, neatly bound in morocco of various
colors, which were distributed.
Fine weather continued to prevail, although the month
of October was drawing to a close. Early each morning a dense
fog swept in from the eastward, covering land and sea until
dispelled by the rising sun. Then came warm fall days,
followed by cooler night hours.
Our gunners at the front were firing from Chatfield and
Gregg with mortars and the heavy rifles mainly at night, besides
using field-pieces in Gregg for accurate practice
[Page 135]
against the enemy's sharpshooters lodged in the ruins. Their
shots caused small daily casualties in Sumter, swelling out to
nineteen in number October 31, when a falling wall killed many, and
fifteen on November 6, when a mortar-shell exploded in front of a
bombproof. Capt. T. C. Ferris, Independent New York
Battalion (Les Enfans Perdus), madea daring reconnoissance of the
fort at night, November 2. He landed, and with one man scaled
the wall until discovered and fired upon. Then they retired
safely to their comrade in the boat, bringing some bricks away as
trophies.
There was a gala day in Charleston on November 2 when
Jefferson Davis arrived on his return from a visit to
General Bragg at Dalton. General
Beauregard extended to him all official courtesy; but their
private relations were strained. Davis found the troops
and works in good condition. Beauregard was
apprehensive of attack at some point on his long lines at this
period, and thought an attack on Sullivan's Island or another
assault on Sumter not improbable.
Colonel Hallowell on his return used
every means to have the many detached and detailed men returned to
the colors, as heavy working parties of from one hundred to two
hundred men were still called for to labor on the new works.
Our first instalment of furloughed men having returned, the
second left for Hilton Head on November 12. Lieutenant
Howard relieved Lieutenant Littlefield as acting
adjutant. Sergeant Swails of Company F was made
acting sergeant-major and Sergeant Vogelsang of
Company H quartermaster-sergeant.
News was received the last of November that the matter
of pay had come up in a new form. Governor Andrew
in
[Page 136]
his message recommended the provisions of an Act which passed the
Massachusetts Legislature November 16 in words as follows: " An Act
to make up the Deficiencies in the Monthly Pay of the Fifty-fourth
and Fifty-fifth Regiments," etc., and Section I. of this Act read as
follows: -
"There shall be paid out of the
Treasury of the Commonwealth to the non-commissioned officers,
musicians, and privates of the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth
regiments of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, to those who have
been honorably discharged from the service, and to the legal
representatives of those who have died in the service, such sums of
money as, added to the amounts paid them by the United States, shall
render their monthly pay and allowances from the time of their being
mustered into the service of the United States equal to that of the
other non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates in the
volunteer or regular military service of the United States."
Upon the receipt of a
copy of the Governor's address and the Act, Colonel
Hallowell, on November 23, wrote to Governor Andrew, that
notwithstanding the generous action of the State authorities, the
men of the Fifty-fourth had enlisted as other soldiers from
Massachusetts, and that they would serve without pay until mustered
out, rather than accept from the United States less than the amount
paid other soldiers. Enlisted men were not less prompt to
write to their friends expressing their disapprobation.
Theodore Tilton, in a communication to the Boston
"Journal," dated New York, Dec. 12, 1863, quotes from a letter
received by him "from a Massachusetts soldier in the Fifty-fourth ":
-
"A strange
misapprehension exists as to the matter of pay, and it pains us
deeply. We came forward at the call of Governor Andrew,
m which call he distinctly told us that we were to be
Surg. Charles E. Briggs
Quartermaster John Ritchie
Asst. Surg. Charles B. Bridgham
Asst. Surg. Louis D. Radzinsky
[Page 137]
subsisted, clothed, paid, and treated in all respects the same as
other Massachusetts soldiers. Again, on the presentation of flags to
the regiment at Camp Meigs, the Governor reiterated this promise, on
the strength of which we marched through Boston, holding our heads
high as men and as soldiers. Nor did we grumble because we
were not paid the portion of United States bounty paid to other
volunteer regiments in advance. Now that we have gained some
reputation, we claim the right to be heard.
"Three times have we been mustered in for pay.
Twice have we swallowed the insult offered us by the United States
paymaster, contenting ourselves with a simple refusal to acknowledge
ourselves different from other Massachusetts soldiers. Once,
in the face of insult and intimidation such as no body of men and
soldiers were ever subjected to before, we quietly refused and
continued to do our duty. For four months we have been
steadily working night and day under fire. And such work!
Up to our knees in mud half the time, causing the tearing and
wearing out of more than the volunteer's yearly allowance of
clothing, denied time to repair and wash (what we might by that
means have saved), denied time to drill and perfect ourselves in
soldierly qualities, denied the privilege of burying our dead
decently. All this we've borne patiently, waiting for justice.
"Imagine our surprise and disappointment on the receipt
by the last mail of the Governor's address to the General Court, to
find him making a proposition to them to pay this regiment the
difference between what the United States Government offers us and
what they are legally bound to pay us, which, in effect, advertises
us to the world as holding out for money and not from principle,
- that we sink our manhood in consideration of a few more dollars.
How has this come about? What false friend has been
misrepresenting us to the Governor, to make him think that our
necessities outweigh our self-respect? I am sure no
representation of ours ever impelled him to that action."
[Page 138]
To the
letter Theodore Tilton added some forcible sentences. Among
other things he wrote, -
"They are not willing that
the Federal Government should throw mud upon them, even though
Massachusetts stands ready to wipe it off. And perhaps it is
not unsoldierly in a soldier, white or black, to object to being
insulted by a government which he heroically serves. The
regiment whose bayonets pricked the name of Colonel Shaw
into the roll of immortal honor can afford to be cheated out of
their money, but not out of their manhood."
Our brigade
number was changed from "Fourth " to "Third " on November 23.
Its colored regiments were still required to perform an undue
proportion of fatigue work, and but few details for grand guards
came for them. After this discrimination had long been borne,
General
Gillmore in an order said, -
"Colored troops will not be
required to perform any labor which is not shared by the white
troops, but will receive in all respects the same treatment, and be
allowed the .same opportunities for drill and instruction."
During the
third week of November several events of interest occurred. On the
15th the Moultrie House on Sullivan's Island, which had long flown a
hospital flag, was torn down, disclosing a powerful battery, which
opened a terrible fire on us in unison with two other works.
This, occurring at 10 P. M., it was thought might cover a boat
attack, so our troops were called into line, where they remained
until firing ceased. Meanwhile from Gregg and the "Ironsides"
our calcium lights swept the waters about the harbor to discover any
force approaching. Our monitor "Lehigh" grounded the next
morning. Under a fierce cannonade a
[Page 139]
hawser was carried from the "Nahant,"
and by it and the rising tide she was floated at 11 A. M. From
Gregg and Chatfield our guns, mounted for the purpose, began to fire
on the city at 10 A. M. on the 17th, throwing twenty-one shells.
We could see the smoke from the explosions as the shells struck
about the wharves, in the "burnt district," or well up among the
houses. This bombardment of Charleston was from this time
maintained with more or less vigor each day and night. Against
Sumter, from November 1 to the 20th, we fired an average of five
hundred shots daily. Our new work nearest Gregg was named
Battery Seymour, and was armed with ten-inch mortars; another still
farther south was called Battery Barton. Major
Conyngham, Fifty-second Pennsylvania, with two hundred and fifty
men from his regiment, the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania, and
the Third New Hampshire, made a boat reconnoissance of Sumter at
night, November 19. Our expedition approached to within three
hundred yards of the fort, was discovered, and after an engagement
of fifteen minutes withdrew with three men wounded. In this
affair a portion of Sumter's garrison acted badly, and three
officers were censured. Capt. F. H. Harleston, First
South Carolina Artillery, a most gallant and able officer, while
examining the defences of the fort on November 24 was struck by a
Parrott-shell, and died in a few hours.
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, by
general orders, was observed by the suspension of all unnecessary
labor. At 1.30 P.M.
the Fifty-fourth formed with side-arms only, and
marched to the beach in front of the Third Brigade headquarters.
There, with all the other troops on the island,
[Page 140]
they joined in religious services.
It was a glorious day, well fitted for the thorough enjoyment of the
feast and sports which followed. In response to a call of the
"Black" Committee the friends of the regiment had contributed for
Thanksgiving dinner many luxuries. From this source, the
company funds, and the efforts of the officers and company cooks, a
most abundant and unusual feast was provided. In the afternoon
there was much amusement and sport indulged in by the men. A
greased pole some twenty feet high was erected, and at the top was
suspended a pair of trousers the pockets of which contained $13.
After four hours of ludicrously unsuccessful trials on the part of a
number of men, Butler of Company K secured the "full pay" and the
trousers. Wheelbarrow and sack races closed the games.
December came in, cold and rainy, for the winter
weather had set in. The day, however, was a happy and
memorable one, for news was received of General Grant's
great victory at Missionary Ridge, and every fort fired a salute,
causing spiteful replies from the enemy. A high wind prevailed
on the 6th, and those who were upon the bluff or beach witnessed a
terrible disaster to the fleet. At 2 P.M.
the monitor "Weehawken," off the island, foundered, carrying to
their death, imprisoned below, four officers and twenty-seven men.
There was much heavy weather about the first ten days
of December. After it subsided, the beach of Morris Island was
strewn with logs some thirty feet long and eighteen inches through,
a number of which were bolted together with iron. Others were
found floating with the tide. A wooden affair, some fifty by
thirty feet, double planked, looking like a floating battery, was
washed ashore
[Page 141]
on Folly Island about the same time.
The enemy had been loosing a part of the harbor obstructions.
We were now firing an average of twenty shells each day
into Charleston. The time of firing was purposely varied
throughout the day and night, that the Confederates might not be
prepared to reply. From "Mother Johnson," Simkins, and
Moultrie we received an average of two hundred shots per day, most
of which failed to strike our works. But few casualties were
sustained, the warning cry of the lookouts sending all to cover.
Against Sumter our firing was light after November.
But on December 11 some two hundred and twenty shots
were hurled at that work. While we were firing slowly at 9.30
a. m., the southwest magazine there exploded. Timbers, bricks,
and debris, as well as the flag, were shot up into the air, while
below arose a black cloud of smoke
which streamed out over the harbor. A fire broke out later.
The garrison lost on this day eleven men killed and
forty-one wounded.
By reference to his official correspondence, it is
found that about the middle of December General Gillmore
entertained the project of attacking Savannah, and then, with a
portion of his force, operating in Florida. He thought that to
move with the fleet against Charleston's inner defences, now
bristling with guns, either by way of the Stono or Bull's Bay, he
should be reinforced with ten thousand or twelve thousand men.
He urged that the War Department adopt measures which would enable
him to go to work at once.
Calls for fatigue were now lighter and better borne,
for seventy-three conscripts arrived for the Fifty-fourth on
November 28, and twenty-two recruits on December 4.
[Page 142]
Battalion and brigade drills were
resumed. We were furnishing heavier details for grand guard,
composed usually of several officers and two hundred and fifty men.
They went out every third or fourth day during our further stay on
the island. For the diversion of the officers the "Christy
Minstrels " gave their first performance December 5 in Dr.
Bridgham's hospital tent, enlarged by a wall tent on one side.
Songs were sung and jokes cracked in genuine minstrel style.
To carry out the provisions of the Act for the relief
of the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, Maj.
James Sturgis, accompanied by Mr. E. W. Kinsley, a
public-spirited citizen, arrived at our camp December 12. They
had previously visited the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, when Colonel
Hartwell informed Major Sturgis that neither regiment would receive
the relief. Upon meeting Colonel Hallowell the same
information was given. At Major Sturgis's
request the officers and first sergeants were then assembled, when
the matter was freely discussed. Both gentlemen explained
fully the purpose of the Governor and the legislation securing it.
Some of the officers and non-commissioned officers replied by a
recital of the reasons for refusal hereinbefore set forth.
Finally the noncommissioned officers on behalf of the men positively
refused the State aid. At their conclusion cheers were given
for Governor Andrew, to whom they were grateful for
the proffered help. The result of his unsuccessful mission was
reported in writing by Major Sturgis to the Governor
under date of December 13. In his report he says, -
"I
deem it proper to say here, that among the many regiments that I saw
at Hilton Head, St. Helena Island, Beaufort, Folly, and Morris
Island, white and colored, there are none, to
[Page 143]
my inexperienced eye, that equalled the Fifty-fourth and
Fifty-fifth, unless it was the Fortieth Massachusetts, while none
surpassed them in any respect."
Late in the
afternoon of December 17 the Fifty-fourth with all the troops was
formed to see a deserter shot. The unfortunate man was
Joseph Lane, a drafted soldier of the Third New
Hampshire. On November 28 he started from Morris Island toward
James. At last, despairing of crossing the water ways, he
turned back to our lines, representing himself as a Rebel deserter.
Taken to the post guard-house, he was recognized by some of his own
company, whereupon he was tried and sentenced to death.
General Stevenson commanded the division, by reason of
General Terry's illness. After forming, the column
moved slowly up the beach followed by a wagon, in which, seated upon
his coffin, rode Lane. When the troops halted, the
wagon passed along the line to the lower beach. There the
coffin was unloaded, the deserter knelt upon it, and at a signal, in
full view of all the troops, the blindfolded man received the
musket-shots of the firing party, falling forward on his face a
quivering corpse.
Christmas day was cold and windy. The only
noteworthy event in camp was the arrival of a mail. Besides
fatigue parties a detail for grand guard of two hundred and fifty
men went out under Captain Pope. Our rifles had
sounded their fearful Christmas chimes by throwing shells into the
city for three hours after one o'clock that morning. About 3
A.M. a fire broke out in Charleston which illumined the whole sky
and destroyed twelve buildings before it was subdued, the falling
walls injuring many firemen. Chatfield joined Gregg in the
bombardment directed upon the fire. The enemy opened rapidly
for
[Page 144]
a time and then gradually
ceased, but our guns continued to fire with more or less vigor all
day. On their part the Confederates prepared a Christmas
surprise for the gunboat "Marblehead" lying in the Stono near
Legareville. At 6 A.M. some pieces on John's Island, brought
there at night, opened on the gunboat, but were soon driven away
with loss of men and guns.
New Year's Day being the first anniversary of the
Emancipation Proclamation, the non-commissioned officers arranged
for a celebration. The men formed and proceeded to the
parade-ground, where a dry-goods box covered with a rubber blanket
was placed, to serve as a speaker's stand. Chaplain
Harrison offered a prayer and then introduced the orator of the
day, Sergeant Barquet of Company H. Barquet
was in high spirits, and began with
the quotation, "What means this sea of upturned faces," etc.
The speaker had hardly warmed up to his work, when in the midst of a
most impassioned harangue the dry-goods box caved in, carrying him
down. Barquet, in no way disconcerted, from the wreck
shouted out the appropriate but well-worn gag: "Gentlemen, I admire
your principles, but damn your platform!" After the hilarity
resulting from the discomfiture of the chief speaker had subsided,
others addressed the meeting with more or less effect. In the
evening the non-commissioned officers had a supper in the large tent
used to cover quartermaster's stores. Among the good things
provided were baked beans and Indian pudding.
From November 1 to January 8 the following changes took
place among the officers, - Major Hooper was
promoted lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. J. W. M. Appleton,
major; Lieutenant Grace, captain of Company A;
Lieut.
Capt. Samuel Willard (Mann).
Capt. David A. Partridge
Capt. Watson W. Bridge Capt. Thomas L. Appleton
Capt. Joseph E. Cousens
Capt. Lewis Reed.
[Page 145]
R. H. L. Jewett, captain of
Company K; and Lieutenant Higginson, captain of Company H;
Second Lieutenants David Reid, Emerson, and Tomlinson became
first lieutenants; Lieutenants A. W. Leonard, Lewis Reed, Alfred
H. Knowles, Robert R. Newell, and Chas. M. Duren,
newly appointed, reported. Captains Jones and Pope
and Assistant-Surgeon Pease re-joined. Surgeon
Stone went North, and was then appointed surgeon, United
States Volunteers. Lieutenant Higginson was promoted while
absent sick, and was afterward transferred to the Fifth
Massachusetts Cavalry as captain. Lieutenant
Johnston was discharged. A change in the line formation
was necessary after these promotions, which was ordered as follows,
Company D being on the left: -
D B A E H F K C G I
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Greek fire was used from our "city
guns" experimentally in twenty shells on January 3. Previous
firings with this compound had not been satisfactory in result.
The charges on this day seemed more effective, apparently causing a
fire in Charleston. It is stated on Confederate authority that
the whole number of our shells fired into the city from August 21 to
January 5 was 472, of which twenty-eight fell short. They are
said to have killed five persons. Our opening thereupon from
Cumming's Point was the occasion of great dismay and confusion.
A hegira to the country took place, by railroad and every kind of
vehicle laden with household effects. Those who remained
became somewhat accustomed to our shelling. The collection of
old iron after each explosion was a regular business.
Non-exploded shells were purchased by the authorities. From
the "Battery" up to Wentworth Street, about
[Page 146]
the middle of the city, nearly all
the houses had been penetrated.
Wagner having been thoroughly prepared for our
purposes and armed, on the 12th a distinguished company assembled
therein to witness the raising of the stars and stripes on the high
flag-staff erected. Captain Strahan, Third Rhode
Island Heavy Artillery, was made commandant of the work.
General Gillmore removed his headquarters from Folly
Island to Hilton Head about this time. General Terry
was given command of the Northern District from Charleston to St.
Helena. Col. W. W. H. Davis, One Hundred and Fourth
Pennsylvania, assumed control of Morris Island. His force was
composed of one colored brigade and two white brigades, besides
artillerymen and engineers.
During the time the Fifty-fourth had served with white
troops a few officers and men manifested their dislike to the black
regiment in various ways. Sometimes white sentinels would
pretend not to see the approach of our officers, to avoid rendering
the proper salute. Occasionally officers in charge of armed
parties failed to give the marching salute to similar parties of the
Fifty-fourth. In all such cases reports were made of the
discourtesy. The following instance of preference given white
troops, when on joint duty with blacks, occurred. Captain
Emilio, with two hundred and fifty men and several officers,
reported for grand-guard duty, and as the first on the ground, was
entitled to the right of all others. This position, despite
protest, was denied him by Maj. Michael Schmitt, Independent
New York Battalion. When the tour of duty was completed, a
report was made of the affair and forwarded to post headquarters.
The discrimination did not occur again. By
[Page 147]
persistent and firm assertion of the rights of the men on the part
of all the Fifty-fourth officers, a discontinuance of these and
other discourtesies was at last obtained.
There arrived from Long Island, Mass., on the 20th,
some one hundred and twelve recruits for the regiment, which served
to fill the ranks nearly to the maximum. With a single
exception they were all volunteers. By this date the
Fifty-fourth was well clothed, fully equipped, and prepared for any
service. The colder weather, although it brought some
discomfort, served to lessen the number of sick. Food was
better and more varied. Quartermaster Ritchie,
assisted by Sergeant Barquet and Private
King, secured bricks from the old lighthouse and constructed an
oven which furnished soft bread. It had a capacity of two
hundred loaves each baking.
Troops had been moving from various posts to Hilton
Head during January, and on the 27th our brigade was ordered to
embark as soon as transportation was provided. During the
afternoon of the 28th everything but the tents was loaded upon two
steamers assigned to the Fifty-fourth. As darkness fell, camp
was struck; but as the vessels could not leave until the next
forenoon, the regiment through the early part of the night remained
on shore, gathered about small camp-fires.
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