USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifty-fourth regiment of Masachusetts volunteer infantry, 1863-1865 > Part 10
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About half a dozen stragglers from the retiring enemy were taken on the island. Our boats captured two of the enemy's barges containing a surgeon and fifty-five men,
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SIEGE OF WAGNER.
and a boat of the ram " Chicora " with an officer and seven sailors.
Wagner's siege lasted fifty-eight days. During that period 8,395 soldiers' day's work of six hours each had been done on the approaches; eighteen bomb or splinter proof service-magazines made, as well as eighty-nine emplace- ments for guns, - a total of 23,500 days' work. In addition, forty-six thousand sand-bags had been filled, hundreds of gabions and fascines made, and wharves and landings con- structed. Of the nineteen thousand days' work performed by infantry, the colored troops had done one half, though numerically they were to white troops as one to ten. Three quarters of all the work was at night, and nine tenths under artillery and sharpshooters' fire or both combined.
Regarding colored troops, Major Brooks, Assistant Engi- neer, in his report, says, -
" It is probable that in no military operations of the war have negro troops done so large a proportion, and so important and hazardous fatigue duty, as in the siege operations on the island."
The colored regiments participating were the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, First North Carolina, Second South Carolina, and Third United States Colored Troops. Officers serving in charge of the approaches, when called upon by Major Brooks to report specifically upon the com- parative value of white and colored details under their charge for fatigue duty during the period under considera- tion, gave testimony that for perseverance, docility, steadi- ness, endurance, and amount of work performed, the blacks more than equalled their white brothers. Their average of sick was but 13.97, while that of the whites was 20.10.
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FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
The percentage of duty performed by the blacks as con- pared with the whites was as fifty-six to forty-one.
Major Brooks further says, -
" Of the numerous infantry regiments which furnished fatigue parties, the Fourth New Hampshire did the most and best work, next follow the blacks, - the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts and Third United States Colored Troops."
General Beauregard reports his loss during the siege as a total of 296, exclusive of his captured. But the official " War Records " show that from July 18 to September 7 the Confederate loss was a total of 690. The Federal loss during the same period by the same authority was but 358.
Despite the exposure of the Fifty-fourth details day and night with more or less officers and men at the front, the casualties in the regiment during the siege as given by the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts were but four killed and four wounded.
Shortly after the fall of Wagner the following order was issued to the troops.
DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
MORRIS ISLAND, S. C., Sept. 15, 1863.
It is with no ordinary feelings of gratification and pride that the brigadier-general commanding is enabled to congratulate this army upon the signal success which has crowned the enter- prise in which it has been engaged. Fort Sumter is destroyed. The scene where our country's flag suffered its first dishonor you have made the theatre of one of its proudest triumphs.
The fort has been in the possession of the enemy for more than two years, has been his pride and boast, has been strength- ened by every appliance known to military science, and has defied the assaults of the most powerful fleet the world ever saw.
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SIEGE OF WAGNER.
But it has yielded to your courage and patient labor. Its walls are now crumbled to ruins, its formidable batteries are silenced, and though a hostile flag still floats over it, the fort is a harm- less and helpless wreck.
Forts Wagner and Gregg, works rendered memorable by their protracted resistance and the sacrifice of life they have cost, have also been wrested from the enemy by your per- severing courage and skill, and the graves of your fallen com- rades rescued from desecration and contumely.
You now hold in undisputed possession the whole of Morris Island ; and the city and harbor of Charleston lie at the mercy of your artillery from the very spot where the first shot was fired at your country's flag and the Rebellion itself was inaugurated.
To you, the officers and soldiers of this command, and to the gallant navy which has co-operated with you are due the thanks of your commander and your country. You were called upon to encounter untold privations and dangers, to undergo unremitting and exhausting labors, to sustain severe and dis- heartening reverses. How nobly your patriotism and zeal have responded to the call the results of the campaign will show and your commanding general gratefully bears witness.
Q. A. GILLMORE, Brigadier-General Commanding.
CHAPTER VII.
BOMBARDMENT OF CHARLESTON.
.
M ORRIS 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 Moul- trie, 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. Com- mander 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 mid- night on the 9th. Major Elliott was prepared for and re- ceived the assault with musketry and fragments of the epaul- ment. In a few minutes all was over, for the brave leaders, finding it impossible to seale the walls, were made pris- oners. 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
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JEREMIAH ROLLS, Ist Sergt., Co. I.
ABRAM C. SIMMS, Corp., Co. I. GEORGE LIPSCOMB, Corp., Co. I. THOMAS BOWMAN, Sergt .. Co. I. ISOM AMPEY, Pit., Co. K.
Jony HI. WILSON, Sergt. Major.
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BOMBARDMENT OF CHARLESTON.
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 con- stant 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 de- parted, 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 eamp 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
9
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FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
on the . beach at low tide, the division extending a dis- tance of some two miles. The pageant was unsurpassed in the history of the department. Our colored brigade pre- sented 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 sub- stance as follows : -
" Men : the paymaster is here to pay you. You must re- member you have not proved yourselves soldiers. You must take notice that the Government has virtually paid you a thou- sand dollars apiece for setting you free. Nor should you ex- pect to be placed on the same footing with white men. Any one listening to your shouting and singing can see how gro- tesquely 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 Kan- sas. 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 in- sinuations and reflections because the Fifty-fourth men
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BOMBARDMENT OF CHARLESTON.
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 siek 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 vine- gar, 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, writ- ing-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.,
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FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
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 tor- pedo 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 Massa- chusetts Infantry, commissioned major of the Fifty-fourth, arrived October 16, and relieved Captain Emilio of the com- mand. 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 recor- ery 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 Depart- ment, whose headquarters were at Beaufort. His son, Col. Albert G. Browne, Jr., was the military secretary of Gor- ernor 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,
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BOMBARDMENT OF CHARLESTON.
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 num- ber 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 bom- bardment 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 (in- cluding 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, ren- dered 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
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FIFTY-FOURTHI MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
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 casual- ties, and Sumter was pounded into a mound of debris cov- ering 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 ap- prehended 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 In- let, 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 Hallowell's 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
135
BOMBARDMENT OF CHARLESTON.
against the enemy's sharpshooters lodged in the ruins. Their shots caused small daily casualties in Sumter, swell- ing out to nineteen in number October 31, when a falling wall killed many, and fifteen on November 6, when a mor- tar-shell exploded in front of a bombproof. Capt. T. C. Ferris, Independent New York Battalion (Les Enfans Per- dus), made a 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 ex- tended to him all official courtesy ; but their private rela- tions 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 hun- dred 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. Lieuten- ant Howard relieved Lieutenant Littlefield as acting adju- tant. 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
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FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
his message recommended the provisions of an Aet 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," ete., and Section I. of this Act read as follows : -
" There shall be paid out of the Treasury of the Common- wealth 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 dis- charged 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 Gov- ernor Andrew, that notwithstanding the generous action of the State authorities, the men of the Fifty-fourth had en- listed 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 Gover- nor Andrew, in 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.
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BOMBARDMENT OF CHARLESTON.
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 ac- knowledge ourselves different from other Massachusetts sol- diers. 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."
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FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
To the letter Theodore Tilton added some forcible sen- tences. 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 oppor- tunities for drill and instruction."
During the third week of November several events of in- terest occurred. On the 15th the Moultric House on Sul- livan'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
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. BOMBARDMENT OF CHARLESTON.
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.
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