USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifty-fourth regiment of Masachusetts volunteer infantry, 1863-1865 > Part 13
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Before the Fifty-fourth retired, the boxes of unused ammunition of the wrong calibre were thrown into mud- holes. Assistant-Surgeon Bridgham also sent on before his only ambulance with wounded officers and men. Lieu- tenant Leonard, when leaving the field, found Adjutant Manning, First North Carolina, helplessly wounded; so swinging his friend upon his back, he carried him to a point of safety. Sergeant Swails, wounded in the head, set out toward Sanderson, but soon fell exhausted beside the road, unable to make himself known. Lieut. Lewis Reed, passing by, recognized him, and had him placed on a cart. Sergeant Vogelsang relates that Colonel Hallo- well had, in charge of a servant, a mule laden with his camp kit, etc., packed in two champagne baskets. Upon going to the rear, some guards would not allow the servant and his mule to pass. The servant pleaded with them, saying, " Gentlemen, for God's sake, let the mule go!" and
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while doing so, the mule, taking matters into its own hands, kicked up its heels and broke through the line, strewing the path with pots, kettles, and pans, tipped out of the overturned baskets. This caused great merriment; and "Let the mule go!" became a saying in the regiment.
From the general field hospital, established behind a small stream, Seymour made his final retirement. Some forty men severely wounded were left in charge of Assistant- Surgeon Devendorf, Forty-eighth New York, there; and at Sanderson some twenty-three more remained. Moving toward Sanderson, the narrow road was choked with a flowing torrent of soldiers on foot, wounded and unwounded, vehicles of every description laden with wrecks of men, while amid the throng rode others, many of whom roughly forced their jaded animals through the crowd. In this throng generous and self-sacrificing men were seen helping along disabled comrades, and some shaking forms with bandaged heads or limbs, still carrying their trusty mus- kets. About the sides of the road exhausted or bleeding men were lying, unable to proceed, resigned, or thoughtless of inevitable captivity.
While our advance presented these deplorable scenes, the rear-guard was still full of courage and obedient to command. Notable among these organizations were the Seventh Connecticut, the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, and Henry's brigade. When Sanderson was reached, the troops halted until the place was cleared of wounded and vehicles, when fires were set to stores previously spared, and it was abandoned. With the Seventh Connecticut deployed in rear of the infantry, and Henry's mounted men covering all, the army retired to Barber's, destroying bridges and : the railroad as they proceeded.
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General Finegan, who came upon the field during the later part of the action, ordered Colquitt to pursue and occupy Sanderson. Colquitt representing that his men were fatigued and without food, and that reports had come in that we had gone into camp and were in good order, these instructions were countermanded. Finegan states that although he gave repeated orders for his cavalry under Colonel Smith to press our flanks and pursue, it was not done except by two companies on our right for a short distance. All the Confederates, except one regiment, re- tired to Olustee that night, and no advance was made in force by the enemy until . February 22.
Major Appleton at Barber's was relieved just after dark by Colonel Hartwell with six companies of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts. He then set out, as instructed, to join the regiment with the two companies, and Lieut. W. B. Pease and twenty-five men of the Eighth United States Colored Troops, who had come up. Ten miles on, a surgeon with wounded gave the first intimation of defeat, although the firing had been heard at Barber's. Hastening onward through an ever-increasing throng, when within one mile of Sanderson Major Appleton halted, disposing his men to restore order. The sight of his compact little force was encouraging ; and the unwounded, when approached, readily placed themselves in line until some six hundred men were collected. Major Appleton soon received orders to escort the train to Barber's, and did so, arriving at 2 A. M. on the 21st.
Forming part of the covering column, the Fifty-fourth made the night-march over the littered road until at 2 A. M. the bivouac fires of the Fifty-fifth at Barber's were reached. Then the regiment, worn out with the enervating events of
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the day, and the march of thirty-two miles since the pre- ceding morning, went to rest on the ground previously oc- cupied. Soon, however, Companies A and E were detailed for picket across the St. Mary's, - the former on the line, and the latter occupying a block house. Pickets from the Fifty-fifth were also put out. An attack was of course expected ; but notwithstanding the probable danger, it was difficult for the officers to keep their exhausted men awake. But the night passed without alarm of any kind. Through- out those hours the wounded and stragglers kept coming in. Barber's house and outbuildings were used to shelter the wounded, while others were taken to or gathered about the large fires Colonel Hartwell caused to be made. Assistant- Surgeon Bridgham sheltered the wounded of the Fifty- fourth in an old house, and never ceased to care for them till morning.
Olustee was the most sanguinary engagement in which the troops of the Department met the enemy. Our loss was greater than in many better-known actions else- where. Fought without the shelter of earthworks, with nearly equal numbers on each side, it was a fair field fight. Our force was beaten in detail, as they came up, Seymour repeating his error committed.at the assault of Wagner. It is natural to speculate as to the result, had he amused the enemy with skirmishers until all his troops arrived on the field, and then attacked, or attempted to draw the enemy on to a selected position ; but had Sey- mour prevailed at Ocean Pond, there still was the strong intrenched position at Olustec Station to encounter.
Phisterer's Statistical Record gives the Union loss as 193 killed, 1,175 wounded, and 460 missing, a total of 1,828. Many of the wounds were slight, however. Our losses in
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the Fifty-fourth are given by the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts as three officers wounded, and of enlisted men thirteen killed, sixty-three wounded, and eight missing. It is probable that besides Corporal Gooding, of Com- pany C, who died at Andersonville Prison, several others of the Fifty-fourth reported missing were there confined. General Finegan gives his casualties as 93 killed and 841 wounded. His killed included Lieutenant-Colonel Barrow, Sixty-fourth Georgia, Captain Cameron command- ing, and Lieutenants Dancy and Holland, First Georgia (regulars). Among his wounded were Colonel Evans, Sixty-fourth Georgia, Col. D. L. Clinch, Fourth Georgia Cavalry, and Captain Crawford, Twenty-eighth Georgia. After the war in 1867 or 1868 the remains of Union sol- diers buried on the field of Olustee were taken to the National Cemetery at Beaufort, S. C., for reinterment. The battlefield remains in much the same state as in 1864, - an open pine barren with many trees bearing the scarifications of shot and shell.
Provision was made for carrying the wounded from Barber's, February 21, by placing them on wagons, and on cars drawn by animals over the railroad. Our army fol- lowed in three parallel columns. The Fifty-fourth, placed under Colonel Hawley's command, moved at 9 A. M. When relieved from picket, Companies A and E were temporarily attached to the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, which, with two other regiments, retired from Barber's in line of battle for some distance, covering the other infantry. In rear of all was the Light Brigade. Passing through Darby's, where an immense pile of barrels of turpentine was flaming and smoking, the regiment arrived at Baldwin about 4 P. M.
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The Fifty-fourth was not allowed to take the clothing left there, which was destroyed with other stores. There Companies A and E re-joined, and the regiment con- tinued on to near McGirt's Creek, where it halted for the night after throwing out pickets. A twenty-two mile march had been made that day. Barton's brigade and Mont- gomery with the First North Carolina continued on farther.
At 4 A. M. on the 22d the Fifty-fourth stood to arms until daylight. Hawley, with the Fifty fourth, Seventh New Hampshire, and Eighth United States Colored Troops, moved on at 7 A. M., the Seventh Connecticut having been left at Baldwin to support the Light Brigade. Four miles farther on, Colonel Hallowell received orders from General Seymour to march his regiment back to Ten-Mile Station, and bring on the railroad train, as the locomo- tive had broken down. It was a hard trial for the footsore and hungry men to retrace their steps ; but the thought of the cars laden with wounded nerved them to the task, so they faced about cheerfully. Upon arriving at the station, Quartermaster Ritchie found some hard bread on the train which he distributed to our men, sadly in need of food. Then ropes were attached to the engine and cars; and the Fifty-fourth furnishing the motive-power, they were pushed and dragged over the rails to Camp Finegan, where horses were provided for further progress.
Dr. Marsh, of the Sanitary Commission, who was present, thus describes this event : -
" Through eagerness to escape the supposed pursuing enemy. too great pressure of steam was employed, and the flue collapsed ; and here the immortal Fifty-fourth (colored) did what ought to insure it higher praise than to hold the field iu the face of a victorious foc, - with ropes it seized the engine (now useless)
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and dragged it with its doomed freight for many miles. . . . They knew their fate if captured; their humanity triumphed. Does history record a nobler deed?"
During our short halt at Camp Finegan the men rested after their exhaustive efforts. Lieutenant Knight, Second South Carolina, kindly brought refreshments for the officers ; and the men were supplied with some rations. The march was resumed at 4 P. M., and the Fifty-fourth without further incident arrived at Jacksonville about 8 P. M., going into camp on the old ground outside the town. Nearly one half the regiment was without shoes ; their blankets and knapsacks were sacrificed to get speedily into action ; . they had no rations or shelter, so with crippled feet and weary limbs they cast themselves on the bare ground for rest after the march of twenty-two miles that day. The Adjutant-General of Massachusetts reported that " the Fifty-fourth marched 120 miles in 102 hours, yet the roll- call showed no stragglers; " and it should be added, of this time forty-four hours were given to sleep.
Seymour's infantry was all back at Jacksonville or vicin- ity by the 22d ; his mounted force was in advance at Cedar Run. As it was feared the enemy would attack Jackson- ville, reinforcements arrived daily, including Brigadier- General Vogdes with Foster's and Ames's brigades. An extensive line of earthworks was begun, encircling the town.
General Finegan, having repaired the railroad, advanced, occupying the territory to within ten or twelve miles of Jacksonville. He was soon succeeded by Brig .- Gen. W. M. Gardner. By March 3 the Confederate force in front numbered some eight thousand men. Their position was soon protected by earthworks, and was called Camp Milton.
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A mail received February 24 brought news of the dis- charge of Captain Higginson for transfer, and Adjutant James and Lieutenant Pratt for disability. Assistant- Surgeon Bridgham resigned, and departed on the 26th. In accordance with the desire of his officers as well as his own, Colonel Hallowell on the 24th recommended to Governor Andrew that Sergeant Swails be commissioned, in recognition of many soldierly qualities and his gal- lantry at Olustee.
Our short season of quiet was disturbed on the 25th, when, in the morning, camp was moved to a point south . of the railroad near the cemetery, in a grove and partly in a brickyard, next the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts. Soon both regiments were ordered back as the pickets were retiring. The Fifty-fourth took post on the left of the railroad in prolongation of the earthworks, and after two hours' work its front was covered by a good parapet. Quartermaster Ritchie hauled out ammunition, and then as no crackers were to be had, finding an old oven, had soft bread baked. The worthy quartermaster describes his first batch as "a sort of indigestible paste very good for diarrhoea."
Our wounded were first cared for at Jacksonville, and then sent to Hilton Head and Beaufort. Major Appleton, on the 26th, with Companies A, B, and E, was sent to occupy works at the front as a reserve, should the cavalry be forced back. That day the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts were brigaded together for the first time, under Col. M. S. Littlefield, Twenty-first United States Colored Troops. Our camp was again shifted to the brick- yard on the 27th. Late that day Company E and thirty men of Company F, with Lieutenants Lewis Recd and Knowles, under Captain Emilio, were sent to guard the
2
ABRAHAM BROWN. Pvt., Co. E. CHARLES W. LENOX, Color Sergt., Co. . 1. MILO J. FREELAND. Pvt., Co. A.
CHARLES II. ARNUM, Prt., Co. E. AsA COTTON, Sergt .. Co. K.
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railroad and telegraph to Cedar Run. Messrs. Jones and Whitfield, sutlers, arrived with a cargo of goods on the 28th, and as they gave credit to the men, were well patronized.
About this time a corporal and private of the Fifty-fourth, posted on the railroad, while firing at a stray hog acci- dentally wounded a bandsman of the Fortieth Massachusetts. Col. Guy V. Henry sent for the men, took them to his camp, and there tied them up in a manner which caused great suffering. General Seymour expressed his intention to have the men shot. Such threats for trivial offences were frequent during General Seymour's command in Florida. An officer of the One Hundred and Fifteenth New York relates that a man of his regiment was ordered to be shot in three hours, for firing his musket. The provost-marshal asked him if he was ready to die, and the poor fellow with streaming eyes inquired if there was no hope. Only the pleading of his officers saved his life. Another man of the same regiment for taking a chicken received a similar sentence, but was pardoned.
By the last of February the number of troops at Jack- sonville was quite large. They were encamped beyond the earthworks, which extended about a mile and a half around. In the river the gunboats " Mahaska," "Ottawa," and " Pawnee " were ready to aid in the defence. Churches in the town were opened, wharves were repaired, and ware- houses put in order. Bay Street along the river-front was teeming with busy life. Vessels were arriving and depart- ing. Stores were opened by sutlers and tradespeople, and a newspaper, " The Peninsula." was printed. Never be- fore had Jacksonville held so many people. All enjoyed the charming weather of those warm and balmy spring days.
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Colonel Hallowell was given command of our third brigade of Ames's division on February 29, making his head- quarters at the Florida House. The next day General Gillmore reviewed all his troops at Jacksonville. On the same date, from their strong defensive line at MeGirt's Creek, Colonel Zachry, Twenty-seventh Georgia, with in- fantry and artillery, started out to advance the enemy's picket. He was met by Colonel Henry with two companies of the Fortieth Massachusetts and one gun, and our force was obliged to retire to Cedar Run. After a sharp skirmish there, we fell back still farther to Three-Mile Run. Henry lost one man killed, four wounded, and five captured ; the enemy seven killed and more than thirty wounded. Captain Emilio, with the Fifty-fourth men, on the railroad, retired with the cavalry. In consequence of this affair all the troops were drawn back to the lines, as an attack was expected.
Camp was again changed to the brickyard from the lines on the 3d, where the regiment remained until its departure from Florida. On this date we had thirteen officers and 725 men present. Thereafter three companies were fur- nished for picket every third day.
General Beauregard arrived at Camp Milton March 2, and inspected the lines. Maj .- Gen. J. Patton Anderson assumed immediate command there the succeeding day. Beauregard telegraphed the War Department that he would endeavor to draw us out for battle. He gave our force as twelve thousand and his own eight thousand. In reply he was told that we were overestimated, and he was ordered to attack. Now was the opportunity for the offensive he so many times had fruitlessly recommended against the " Abolitionists," as he was wont to call us. But he only in-
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formed the Department that he should not attack, and that he was willing to turn over the command to General Anderson, who would attack, if ordered. Then the War Department seems to have done nothing further about the matter.
Barton's brigade, with some artillery and cavalry, em- barked for Pilatka up the St. John's on the 9th, and occu- pied the place the next day.
With a return to the monotony of camp the question of pay again became a source of discontent. False rumors of Congressional action in behalf of the men came, but to be soon contradicted. By every mail they received letters setting forth the sufferings of their families. The officers, jealous of the good name and behavior of the regiment, were in fear of some overt act such as had occurred in other regiments, where colored soldiers had refused duty and suffered punishment. At this time an officer of the Fifty-fourth wrote, -
" Sometimes we almost despair about our men in the matter of pay and proper recognition. We cannot but think it needs only to be thoroughly understood - this case of ours - to have justice done us. . . . These men were enlisted either legally under the Act of July, 1861, and they should then be paid as soldiers, or illegally, and then they should be mustered out of the service. . . . Think of what the men do and suffer ; think of their starving families. There is Sergeant Swails, a man who has fairly won promotion on the field of battle. While he was doing the work of government in the field, his wife and children were placed in the poorhouse."
In a letter to Hon. Wm. Whiting, Solicitor of the War Department at Washington, Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper wrote, -
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" The question whether the men of the Fifty-fourth were legally enlisted into the service of the United States is about to be put before a court-martial here, - that is, a man of the regi- ment is to be tried by a court-martial for a military offence, and he will put in a plea in bar of trial, on the ground that he is not amenable to a court-martial because he is not a soldier ; that he is not a soldier because he was illegally enlisted, - hence he is no soldier."
Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper then recited the Act of July 22, 1861, saying that its provisions were read to the man and subscribed to by him. But the Government instructed its agents that it could only pay the Fifty-fourth (to which this man belonged) according to the provision of the Act of July 17, 1862. He asked assistance in solving the ques- tion in behalf of his men, and further asked for a decision from Judge Holt bearing upon the point at issue.
Advices from the North informed us of the efforts of the Massachusetts Congressmen in Washington to equalize the pay of colored and white troops. The first bill offered by Senator Wilson was not retrospective, and received the opposition it merited in Congress and by the press. To remedy this defect the senator reported a joint resolution on February 3, which, variously amended, came up until March 2, when it was returned to committee. Senator Fessenden, of Maine, led the opposition. The key-note of his remarks in debate was: " What propriety is there in our going back and paying them for services already ren- dered ?" The Maine senator's course received the merited scorn of Wendell Phillips at a meeting of the Antislavery Society. He said, -
" Senator Fessenden was the son of one of the first Aboli- tionists of that State, the ablest debater in the Senate, the leader
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of that body. Governor Andrew's proclamation was published in one hundred papers of the United States calling colored men to arms for Massachusetts. The War Department knew of it. It was a government contract. The Government, accepting these men, accepted the contract. Wilson said to Fessenden, ' Will you fulfil it?' This pettifogger, representing the State of Maine, replied, ' I would like to see Governor Andrew's written authority ! '"
Mr. Wilson on March 2 reported a new bill equalizing soldiers' pay. By one section colored soldiers were given the same pay as whites from Jan. 1, 1864; another section gave the same bounties to colored as to white volunteers in the loyal States, enlisted under the Act of October, 1863 ; and still a third gave the same pay to colored sol- diers as other volunteers from muster-in, if so pledged to them by authority of the War Department, the Secretary of War to determine the question of fact. This bill passed the Senate March 10, and went to the House. There was still to be the struggle amending the Army Appropriation Bill, that the provisions of the Equalizing Bill could be carried out, if agreed upon by the House. Copies of Mr. Wilson's bill were received by Colonel Hallowell soon after its presentation ; and it was ordered read to the enlisted men of every company of the Fifty-fourth, which was done.
In Massachusetts the friends of the regiment were, through the committee, doing much to aid the distressed families within their reach, by contributions of money and clothing. Those in other States were numerous, and the story of their sufferings would fill a volume.
General Seymour issued the following order, which was read to the regiments of his command, -
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, DEP'T OF THE SOUTH, JACKSONVILLE, FLA., March 10, 1864.
General Orders No. 13.
The brigadier-general commanding recurs with great satis- faction to the conduct of his troops in their late battle, and desires to convey to them in the most public manner his full appreciation of their courage on that well-contested field.
Against superior numbers holding a position chosen by them- selves, you were all but successful. For four hours you stood face to face with the enemy ; and when the battle ended, and it ceased only with night, you sent him cheers of defiance.
In your repulse there was perhaps misfortune, but neither disaster nor disgrace ; and every officer and soldier may remem- ber with just pride that he fought at Olustee.
By order of
BRIGADIER-GENERAL SEYMOUR.
Lieut. Thos. L. Appleton re-joined on the 11th, bringing on the steamer "Boston " the camp equipage ; and tents were put up on the 14th. Although there was more rain in March than during the preceding month, the weather in the main was most enjoyable, and camp-life under canvas a pleasure. Our frequent tours of picket duty in the pine woods were always delightful, amid the trees, vines, and beautiful ferns.
Deserters came in occasionally. From them it was learned that the enemy was fortifying a strong position in front of Baldwin. Most of their cavalry was ordered elsewhere in March. Both forces were apprehensive of attack, and alarms occurred frequently, occasioned by picket firing and reconnoissances. On the 23d the prize steamers "Sumter " and " Hattie Brock," captured at Deep Creek on the 14th, were brought to Jacksonville.
During March, Lieutenant Howard was made adjutant.
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Captains Jones and Walton re-joined. Lieutenants Chas. Jewett, Jr., and Daniel G. Spear, newly appointed, joined. Assistant-Surgeon Pease went North sick, and never re- turned. News of a number of promotions came on the 26th. Lieutenant Homans was made captain of Company C, vice Partridge ; Lieutenant Tucker captain of Company H, vice Higginson ; Lieut. T. L. Appleton captain of Com- pany G, vice Smith. Second Lieutenants Chipman, Lewis Reed, Leonard, Knowles, Duren, and Newell were promoted first lieutenants. Sergt. Stephen A. Swails, of Company F, was commissioned second lieutenant.
Brig .- Gen. John P. Hatch relieved General Seymour of the command in Florida, March 28. He was a West Point graduate, who had served with the Third Infantry and Mounted Rifles in Mexico and on the frontier. His com- mission dated Sept. 28, 1861, and he had been connected with the Army of the Potomac. Colonel Henry, with the Fortieth Massachusetts, Seventy-fifth Ohio, and One Hun- dred and Sixty-ninth New York, went upon a reconnois- sance April 2. He found the enemy's outposts a mile beyond Cedar Run, and drove them until a strong skir- mish line was shown, when he retired, with four men wounded.
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