USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifty-fourth regiment of Masachusetts volunteer infantry, 1863-1865 > Part 16
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that night, their rest being broken by shells from Battery Tynes.
Gen. B. H. Robertson, the Confederate commander on John's Island, with four regiments, a battalion of Georgians, and two field batteries was ordered to attack General Hatch in his threatening position. Colonel Harrison led the ad- vance at 4 A. M., on the 9th, covered by a fog, and surprised the One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York on picket beyond the bridge, driving it back. But the troops defend- ing the lines received the enemy with a hot fire of musketry and canister, which forced them to a sheltered position and strewed the ground with dead and wounded. Bringing up artillery, the enemy made another attempt to carry the bridge at 6.30 A. M., with a similar result, after which their main body withdrew. This engagement is known as " Bloody Bridge." We lost some eighty-two killed and wounded, the enemy some seventeen killed and ninety- three wounded, according to their own account. That night, in pursuance of the prearranged plan, General Hatch withdrew from John's Island upon transports without molestation, Montgomery's brigade returning to James Island.
About daylight our troops on James Island heard the sounds of battle across the Stono. The day was close and sultry. There occurred the usual bombardment of Pringle, Tynes, and the enemy's lines. Replies from a Brook gun and a ten-inch Columbiad in Pringle were effective against our gunboats, but the monitors stood their ground. Late that day it was seen that we were to abandon James Island. A fatigue party of the Fifty-fourth was engaged construct- ing another bridge to Cole's Island ; all the surplus stores were conveyed away, and the wharf repaired. When it was
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dark the troops began to move over the bridges, the Fifty- fourth marching with other regiments, all in silence. Com- panies G and K were detailed to burn a house, the lookout, and one of the bridges. Our pickets were supported by the Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania until all the other troops were withdrawn, when they crossed to Cole's Island. Colonel Hartwell conducted the retreat and put out a picket line on Cole's Island. Our naval vessels kept up the usual night- shelling until daylight, when they got under way and ran down the river.
After a scanty breakfast the Fifty-fourth, at 9 A. M., marched to Stono, accomplishing the three miles in as many hours, for the day was hot and the men much exhausted. There a sutler was found, from whom some supplies were obtained. The regiment crossed the inlet on the steamer "Golden Gate," whose captain kindly furnished refreshments for the officers. Our march to Lighthouse Inlet was equally severe, for the temperature was at 93º. Thence the companies repaired to their sev- eral stations, and welcomed the opportunity for rest, baths in the surf, and clean clothes.
Thus the combined movements, admirably planned, against a weaker enemy came to naught, for want of con- certed action and persistence in attack. At every point we largely outnumbered the enemy. General Hatch's force, had it not been so delayed, might have found no enemy in its front capable of withstanding its advance. Many thought at the time that had Hatch's force been sent against the repulsed enemy after the action at Bloody Bridge, John's Island might have been swept of them, and the James Island lines thus flanked, Charleston would have fallen. Our total of losses in all the forces engaged
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was perhaps three hundred men, including the one hun- dred and forty captured with Colonel Hoyt, and eighteen drowned by the capsizing of a boat in the Stono. That of the enemy must have equalled ours. Their accounts of our losses, exaggerated as usual, gave the number as seven hundred.
CHAPTER XI.
SIEGE OF CHARLESTON.
U PON returning to their several stations, the Fifty- fourth companies reassumed the old duties. The first noteworthy incident occurred on July 13, when, at noon, six shells passing over the Third Rhode Island Ar- tillery camp, fell into ours, one of which, exploding in a tent, killed Private John Tanner and Musician Samuel Suffhay, both of Company B. We had supposed the location safe from any shell firing. These missiles came from Sulli- van's Island, clear across the harbor. A lookout posted on the sand-bluff near by gave warning thereafter when this gun opened, which it did at intervals until the last of August. At such times, day or night, we were obliged to leave the camp for the sea beach. No further casualties occurred, however.
Another example of dislike to colored troops took place on the 15th. Lieut. John S. Marcy, Fifty-second Pennsyl- vania, when directed to join the Fifty-fourth detail for duty at the Left Batteries, with some of his men, the whole force to be under one of our officers, refused to do so, say- ing, "I will not do duty with colored troops." He was arrested and court-martialled, and, by General Foster's order, dishonorably dismissed. Colonel Hallowell returned on the 16th, bringing assurances that the men would soon be paid. With him came as visitors Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, relatives of Quartermaster Ritchic.
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During the heated term, which began with the month and seemed interminable, we went about arrayed in as few clothes as possible. The blazing sun heated the sand beneath our feet, and reflected from land and sea, dazzled the eyes. No relief came until nightfall, when the sea breeze sprang up. On the 21st a change of weather brought cooler temperature for some days. Mr. Hoadly, the efficient agent of the Sanitary Commission on Morris Island, was supplying the troops with stores. Ice was still scarce.
For some weeks Sumter had been bombarded with un- usual vigor, as during our season of quietness the enemy had constructed two large bombproofs there, and mounted five guns on the channel face. It was estimated that one hundred of the garrison were killed or wounded during this latest bombardment. Captain Mitchel, its com- mander, was killed, July 19, by a mortar-shell, and was succeeded by Capt. T. A. Huguenin, First South Caro- lina (regulars), who continued in charge until its final abandonment.
A special exchange of the fifty Confederate officers for the same number of ours in Charleston was effected on August 3. The released officers were received with cheers and a display of flags from the vessels. From Edward R. Henderson, steward of the truce boat " Cosmopolitan," Quartermaster Ritchie received a list containing forty names of Fifty-fourth prisoners captured July 16 and 18, 1863, which was smuggled out by an exchanged officer.
Maj .- Gen. Daniel Sickles, who was on a tour of inspec- tion, landed on Morris Island on the 3d, accompanied by General Foster, and was received with a salute of thirteen guns. During the succeeding night two officers of the One
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SIEGE OF CHARLESTON.
Hundred and Third Ohio came to our lines, having escaped from Charleston, and, with the assistance of negroes, pro- cured a boat in which to cross the harbor. The enemy's fire on Cumming's Point on the night of the 6th wounded five men of a colored regiment. A large propeller was discovered aground toward Sullivan's Island on the morn- ing of the 8th, whereupon our guns opened from land and sea, soon destroying her. We gave our fire sometimes from the great guns in volleys, - their united explosions shaking the whole island and covering the batteries with a white pall of smoke. Peaceful intervals came, when the strange stillness of the ordnance seemed like stopped heart-beats of the siege. Then the soft rush of the surf and the chirp of small birds in the scant foliage could be heard.
Major Appleton, who had been in hospital since the movement to James Island, departed North on the 7th, and never returned. His loss was a great one to the regi- ment, for he was a devoted patriot, a kind-hearted man, and an exceedingly brave soldier. Captain Emilio came to camp with Company E from Fort Green, on the 8th, when relieved by Lieutenant Newell with Company B. Captain Tucker and Company H reported from Black Island on the 20th, and Lieutenant Duren and Company D were relieved at Fort Shaw on the 23d. Captain Pope succeeded Cap- tain Homans in the command of Black Island on the 24th. Our details for grand guard were increased after the 16th, when the Thirty-second United States Colored Troops was ordered to Hilton Head.
Salutes in honor of Admiral Farragut's victory at Mobile were fired on the 25th. On the 28th, and again on Sep- tember 1, the navy sent torpedoes, heavily charged, to float
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and explode near Fort Sumter, in the hope of shattering the structure ; but they caused no damage.
In Congress the third Conference Committee reported, on June 10, that the House recede from the amendments reducing the bounty, and that all persons of color who were free on April 19, 1861, should, from the time of entering service, be entitled to the pay, bounty, and clothing allowed by the laws existing at the time of their enlistment. The Attorney-General was to determine any law question, and the Secretary of War make the necessary regulations for the pay department. After discussion this unjust com- promise was accepted by both branches of Congress. Over two months, however, passed, until, on August 18, the War Department issued Circular No. 60, providing that officers commanding colored organizations should make an investi- gation to ascertain who of their men enlisted prior to Jan- uary 1, 1864, were free April 19, 1861. The fact of free- dom was to be settled by the sworn statement of the sol- dier, and entered against the man's name on the muster- rolls.
August 29, Sergeant Cross and a few men of the Fifty- fourth returned from Beaufort, where they had received full pay from enlistment in accordance with the foregoing regulations. Colonel Hallowell made the first effective muster for pay of the regiment on the 31st. As no par- ticular form of oath had been prescribed, he administered the following : -
" You do solemnly swear that you owed no man unrequited labor on or before the 19th day of April, 1861. So help you God."
This form had been the subject of much thought, and was known in the regiment as the " Quaker Oath." Some
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of our men were held as slaves April 19, 1861, but they took the oath as freemen, by God's higher law, if not by their country's. A more pitiful story of broken faith, with attendant want and misery upon dependent ones, than this deprivation of pay for many months cannot be told. If ever men were seemingly driven to desperation and overt acts, they were. How they bore it all, daily exposing their lives for the cause and the flag they loved, has been feebly told. . That they were compelled to take this or any oath at the last was an insult crowning the injury.
There was another meeting of truce steamers in the harbor on the 3d, when a release without equivalent was made by the enemy of thirty persons, - chaplains, sur- geons, and some women. General Schimmelfennig, who had removed district headquarters from Folly to Morris Island August 2, on September 4 departed North, when General Saxton took command. The next day the Fifty- sixth and One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York ar- rived ; and Col. Charles H. Van Wyck of the Fifty-sixth assumed command of Morris Island, relieving Colonel Gurney.
Captain Homans, with Company A, having reported from Black Island to camp about September 1, there were the following companies with the colors ; namely, A, D, E, G, H, and K, a larger number than for some months. On the 6th, several boxes of canned goods were received for the regiment, - the gift of Count Leo B. Schwabe, of Boston. This gentleman belonged to a noble family, and was born at Castle Schaumberg on the Weser. Before the war he lived in South Carolina, where he owned slaves and planta- tions. The slaves he freed as the war broke out. His means were lavishly given for building chapels and hos-
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pitals, establishing camp libraries, besides donations of money and provisions for Union soldiers. He died but recently ; and it is sad to record that his last days were passed in reduced circumstances.
September 1, several hundred Confederate officers, sent to be confined under fire in retaliation for a similar hard- ship suffered by our officers in Charleston, arrived off Mor- ris Island on the steamer "Crescent." An enclosed camp was made for them just north of Wagner, in full view of the enemy and exposed to his fire. The enclosure was 228 by 304 feet, and formed of palisading of pine posts, ten feet above ground, supporting a platform from which sen- tinels could watch the prisoners. The " dead line," marked by a rope stretched on posts, was twenty feet inside the palisading. Good A tents, each to hold four men, were pitched and arranged, forming eight streets. The ground was clean, dry, quartz sand.
Several days before, the Fifty-fourth was assigned to guard this prison camp. On September 7, Colonel Hallo- well, with Companies D, E, G, and K marched to the land- ing, where the steamer " Cossack " soon arrived with the Confederates. The escort was composed entirely of colored soldiers. First came three companies of the Twenty-first United States Colored Troops in column, then the priso- ners, flanked on either side by two companies of the Fifty- fourth, the rear closed by two companies of the Twenty- first in column. In this order the Confederates were taken to the camp.
This body of five hundred and sixty officers thus placed in our charge was a singular-looking set of soldiers. There were among them tall, lank mountaineers, some typical Southerners of the books, -dark, long-haired, and fierce
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SIEGE OF CHARLESTON.
of aspect, - and a lesser number of city men of jauntier appearance. The major part were common-looking, evi- dently of the poorer class of Southerners, with a sprinkling of foreigners, - principally Germans and Irish. Hardly any two were dressed alike. There were suits of blue jeans, homespuns, of butternut, and a few in costumes of gray more or less trimmed. Upon their heads were all sorts of coverings, - straw and slouch hats, and forage caps of gray, blue, or red, decorated with braid. Cavalry boots, shoes, and bootees in all stages of wear were on their feet. Their effects were wrapped in rubber sheets, pieces of car- pet, or parts of quilts and comforts. Some had hand-sacks of ancient make. Haversacks of waterproof cloth or cotton hung from their shoulders. Their physical condition was good ; but they made a poor showing for chosen leaders of the enemy. It did seem that men of their evident mental and intellectual calibre - with some exceptions - might be supporters of any cause, however wild or hopeless. They were of all grades, from colonels down in rank.
At the camp the prisoners were divided into eight de- tachments, with a non-commissioned officer of the Fifty- fourth, detailed from the guard, in charge of cach, as warden. Clean straw was provided for the tents, and a good blanket given each officer. The regulations, so far as they related to the prisoners, were read to them. Our six companies of the Fifty-fourth were formed into three reliefs ; namely, A and HI, D and G, and E and K, each relief furnishing one hundred men, with proper officers, for duty at the stockade from 6 P. M. until the same hour the fol- lowing day. When relieved, the detachment went into Wagner for the succeeding night, returning to camp the next morning. At the gate of the stockade was posted a
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FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
Requa rifled battery in charge of the reserve, and a sec- tion of Battery B, Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, reported there each day.
Three times a day the roll was called by the wardens, and every man accounted for to the officer of the day. Policing of the streets was done by the prisoners. Sick call was attended to by a surgeon, who removed the severe cases to hospitals outside. Barrel-sinks were provided and cared for by the prisoners. At night the camp and vicinity were made bright as moonlight by means of a calcium light on Wagner's parapet. Oil lanterns were also used inside the stockade when required. After taps sounded, no light was allowed the prisoners, and they were not permitted to enter the streets except to go to the barrel-sinks. Dur- ing the day they had free range of the camp ; but groups of more than ten prisoners were warned to disperse under penalty of being fired upon if the order was disregarded. Our charges were allowed to purchase writing materials, pipes, tobacco, and necessary clothing. Letters could be sent after inspection. Their rations were cooked by men of the guard. The nearness of the enemy necessitated the utmost vigilance. It was a tempting opportunity for some bold rescue, and a boat attack was not improbable. At first there was thought to be some danger from stray shells, as Cumming's Point was the focus of the enemy's fire. But as time passed, this seeming danger to friend and foe was not realized.
Everything was done to care for and protect these unfor- tunate officers whom the fortunes of war placed in our hands except in two particulars, - they were kept in a place within reach of the enemy's fire, and their rations were reduced to conform in quantity to those furnished
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SIEGE OF CHARLESTON.
our officers in Charleston, at first to one half the army ration, and after some time still less. Food and cook- ing was the same otherwise as furnished the Fifty-fourth. Of these inflictions in retaliation the enemy was duly in- formed as the result of their own uncivilized acts, which would be discontinued whenever they ceased to practise the same.
September 9, Wagner fired a salute of shotted guns in honor of the .capture of Atlanta, Ga. The next day a re- connoissance was made in small force by the army and navy about Bull's Bay. Our shells caused a large fire in Charleston on the 17th, plainly seen from Cumming's Point, by which twenty-five buildings were destroyed. Another, the next day, burned two mansions at the corner of Trade and Meeting streets. With increased elevations our shells fell a distance of two blocks beyond Calhoun Street. A prisoner of war in Charleston thus graphically describes the firing : -
"Every fifteen or twenty minutes we could see the smoke and hear the explosions of ' Foster's messengers,' - two hundred- pound shells. They told us of the untiring perseverance of our forces on Morris Island. So correct was their aim, so well did the gunners know our whereabouts, that shells burst all around, in front, and often fell, screeching, overhead, without injury to us. When the distant rumbling of the Swamp Angel was heard, and the cry, 'Here it comes,' resounded through the prison-house, there was a general stir : sleepers sprang to their feet ; conversation was hushed ; and all started to see where the messengers would fall. . . . The sight at night was truly beautiful. We traced through the sky a slight stream of fire similar to the tail of a comet, followed its course, until 'whiz ! whiz !' came the little pieces like grape-shot."
15
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FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
Charleston papers gave us information that yellow fever was prevalent and increasing, not only among the pris- oners, but the citizens, and especially the Germans.
At the stockade the captives gave no trouble, and readily conformed to the rules. The wardens took great pride in their office. At roll-calls they accurately dressed the lines, and doubtless imparted some useful hints to the Con- federate officers. From Major MeDonald, Fifty-first North Carolina, who was present in Wagner during the assault of July 18, 1863, very interesting particulars of the affair were obtained. He confirmed the story of Colonel Shaw's death and manner of burial.
After a few days' experience the prisoners lost all fear of being struck by stray shells thrown by their friends ; but they watched the bombardment always with interest, so far as they were able. When Wagner opened, the heavy Parrott projectiles passed directly over the camp, but high in air. Our charges lounged about during the day, visiting friends, or played cards, smoked, and read. There were ingenious fellows who passed much time making chains, crosses, rings, and other ornaments from bone or gutta- percha buttons. Our officers found a number of most agreeable gentlemen among them, who seemed to appre- ciate such attentions and politenesses as could be extended within the scope of our regulations.
Sudden orders came on September 21, at 10 A. M., to re- move the prisoners to Lighthouse Inlet. This was done by the Fifty-fourth, and they were placed on two schooners. The reason for this temporary change is not known. Pos- sibly some fear of a rescue under cover of the exchange which was to take place may have occasioned it. On the 23d, after the truce had expired, the Fifty-fourth escorted
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SIEGE OF CHARLESTON.
the prisoners back to the camp. When the rolls were called, it was discovered that six officers were missing. Without a moment's delay, Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper and Quartermaster Ritchie rode to Lighthouse Inlet, and with guards, searched all the vessels there. Five officers were recaptured just as they came from the hold of a vessel with no clothes on, prepared to swim in an attempt to escape. Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper himself searched every part of a steamer previously examined, and at last found his missing man concealed in the paddle-box. The recaptured officers were doubtless surprised when the lieutenant-colonel took them to his tent, offered stimulants, told them they were blameless, and gave them permission to try again, before sending them to join their comrades.
Among the prisoners were some rabid Secessionists who would receive no favors at our hands. It is pleas- ant to record, that, on the 27th, Capt. Henry A. Buist, Twenty-seventh South Carolina (now a prominent lawyer of Charleston), about to be exchanged, politely expressed his thanks to our officers for kindnesses received.
September 28 was a red-letter day for the Fifty-fourth. Paymaster Lockwood, on that date and the 29th, paid the men from enlistment. They were wild with joy that their only trouble was over. An officer wrote : -
" We had been eighteen months waiting, and the kaleidoscope was turned, - nine hundred men received their money ; nine hundred stories rested on the faces of those men, as they passed in at one door and out of the other. Wagner stared Readville in the face ! There was use in waiting! Two days have changed the face of things, and now a petty carnival pre- vails. The fiddle and other music long neglected enlivens the tents day and night. Songs burst out everywhere ; dancing is
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FIFTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
incessant ; boisterous shouts are heard, mimicry, burlesque, and carnival ; pompous salutations are heard on all sides. Here a crowd and a preacher ; there a crowd and two boxers ; yon- der, feasting and jubilee. In brief, they have awakened ' the pert and nimble spirit of mirth, and turned melancholy forth to funerals.'"
It required $170,000 to pay the Fifty-fourth. Over $53,000 was sent home by Adams' Express ; and the sum ultimately forwarded reached $100,000. There was for a time lavish and foolish expenditure of money on the part of some.
October came in with clear, warm mornings and soft breezes in the afternoon. During a truce on the 3d some prisoners were exchanged, and two thousand suits of cloth- ing and many packages were sent to our prisoners. We received clothing and tobacco for the Confederate officers from Charleston people. Brig .- Gen. E. P. Scammon on the 4th relieved General Saxton of the district command, and reviewed the Morris Island troops on the 6th. We had twenty-four officers and seven hundred and twenty-six enlisted men of the regiment present for duty at the several posts on this date.
For some time the freedmen had been contributing to a Shaw monument fund to which the Fifty-fourth added liberally. The following letters relate thereto : -
HEADQUARTERS FIFTY-FOURTH MASS. VOLS., MORRIS ISLAND, S. C., Oct. 7, 1864.
BRIG .- GEN. R. SAXTON.
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