USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifty-fourth regiment of Masachusetts volunteer infantry, 1863-1865 > Part 3
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" In camp. these soldiers presented a buoyant cheerfulness and hilarity, which impressed me with the idea that the mno- notony of their ordinary duties would not dampen their feeling of contentinent, if they were well cared for. On parade, their
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appearance was marked with great neatness of personal ap- pearance as concerned dress and the good condition in which their arms and accoutrements were kept. Their habits being imitative, it was natural that they should be punctilious in matters of military etiquette, and such observances as the well- disciplined soldier, in his subordinate position, pays to his superior. And fortunately for them, they had the teachings of those who were not only thoroughly imbued with the im- portance of their trusts, but were gentlemen as well as soldiers. .
" It was remarked that there was less drunkenness in this regiment than in any that had ever left Massachusetts ; but this may have been owing to the fact that the bounty was not paid them until a day or two previous to their departure. Never- theless, it is my dispassionate and honest conviction that no regiments were ever more amenable to good discipline, or were more decorous and proper in their behavior than the Fifty- fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Colored Volunteers."
Owing to heavy and frequent rains in March and the early days of April, the mud was often very deep between the barracks and officers' quarters, requiring much labor to clean paths. During cold weather the quarters were kept warm by wood fires. In stormy weather squad and company drills went on in vacant barracks. Later in the season the companies under commissioned officers were taken several times each week to bathe in a pond near by to insure personal cleanliness.
Fast Day, April 2, was largely given up to rest and recreation, with religious services in the afternoon. The first dress parade took place the next day, when four com- panies were in line. Every day, but especially on Sun- days, large numbers of visitors were present. Many ladies graced the camp with their presence. People came from
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distant places to witness the novel sight of colored sol- diers in quarters and on the drill ground. For the pur- pose of securing familiarity with drill and tactics, and to obtain uniformity in the unwritten customs of the service, an officers' school was begun April 20, at headquarters, and held frequent sessions thereafter, until the regiment departed for field service. There were a few deaths and a moderate amount of sickness while at Readville, mainly from pneumonia and bronchitis, as the men were first exposed in the trying months of February and March.
Now and then the monotony of camp life was broken by some noteworthy event. On April 21, a visit was received from the "Ladies' Committee." Mrs. Governor An- drew, Mrs. W. B. Rogers, Mrs. E. D. Cheney, Mrs. C. M. Severance, Miss Abby May, Judge Russell, Rev. Mr. Grimes, Charles W. Slack, and J. H. Stephenson were of the party. Another event was the review by Governor Andrew and Secretary Chase in the afternoon of April 30. the President's Fast Day. The line was formed with eight hundred and fifty men ; and the distinguished visi- tors were received with due honors. Dr. Howe, Robert Dale Owen, Mr. Garrison, and other gentlemen were also present.
On April 30, the regiment drew nine hundred and fifty Enfield rifled muskets and a suitable number of non- commissioned officers' swords. Lieutenant Jewett, ap- pointed ordnance officer, issued the arms on the following day. May 2, the regiment was drilled for the first time in the School of the Battalion. General Peirce, accom- panied by Surgeon-General Dale and the Governor's Council, reviewed the Fifty-fourth on May 4. Brig. - Gen.
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Edward A. Wild, who was authorized to recruit a brigade of colored troops, visited the camp informally on the 11th. That portion of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry at Readville left for the field on May 12. At noon the Fifty-fourth formed in great haste to escort the cavalry, and marched to their camp, only to learn that the Second had already departed.
By May 11, more recruits had arrived than were re- quired, and the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts was begun with the surplus on the succeeding day. They occupied the old cavalry camp. Of the following officers trans- ferred to it from the Fifty-fourth, N. P. Hallowell be- came colonel; Alfred S. Hartwell, colonel and brevet brigadier-general; William Nutt, colonel; and Joseph Tilden, captain, during service with the Fifty-fifth. Sev- eral non-commissioned officers and privates were also transferred to the new regiment to assist in its organiza- tion. Details for guard duty at the new camp were for a time furnished from the Fifty-fourth. Rolls were made out on May 14 for the bounty of fifty dollars for each enlisted man, voted by the State.
Friends had procured flags, and it was determined to make the occasion of their presentation, on May 18, a memorable one. The day was fine and cloudless. Very early, friends of the command began to arrive in private carriages, and by the extra trains run to Readville. Many prominent persons were present, including Surgeon- General Dale, Hon. Thomas Russell, Professor Agassiz, Prof. William B. Rogers, Hon. Josiah Quincy, George S. Hale, William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Samuel May, Rev. Dr. Neale, Frederick Douglass, and many others. The parade was thronged with white and
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colored people of both sexes, to the number of over a thousand.
Line was formed at eleven o'clock, and the regiment was broken into square by Colonel Shaw. Governor Andrew, with his military staff in full uniform, took position inside the square. Brilliant in color and of the finest texture, fluttering in the fresh breeze blowing, the flags destined for the regiment were ready for presenta- tion. They. were four in number, - a national flag, a State color, an emblematic banner of white silk with the figure of the Goddess of Liberty, and the motto, "Liberty, Loyalty, and Unity," and another with a cross upon a blue field, and the motto, In Hoe Signo Vinces.
By invitation, the Rev. Mr. Grimes offered an appropri- ate prayer. Governor Andrew then stepped forward; and the flow of eloquent words delivered with the earnestness which characterized him, heightened by the occasion, will never be forgotten by those that heard his voice. Stand- ing in plain attire, and facing Colonel Shaw, he spoke as follows: -
COLONEL SHAW : As the official representative of the Com- monwealth, and by favor of various ladies and gentlemen, citi- zens of the Commonwealth, and friends of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, I have the honor and the satisfaction of being permitted to join you this morning for the purpose of presenting to your regiment the national flag, the State colors of Massachusetts, and the emblematic banners which the cordial, generous, and patriotic friendship of its patrons has seen fit to present to you. Two years of expe- rience in all the trials and vicissitudes of war, attended with the repeated exhibition of Massachusetts regiments marching from home to the scenes of strife, have left little to be said or suggested which could give the interest of novelty to an occa-
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sion like this. But, Mr. Commander, one circumstance per- taining to the composition of the Fifty-fourth Regiment, exceptional in its character, when compared with anything we have seen before, gives to this hour an interest and importance, solemn and yet grand, because the occasion marks an era in the history of the war, of the Commonwealth, of the country, and of humanity. I need not dwell upon the fact that the enlisted men constituting the rank and file of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment are drawn from a race not hitherto connected with the fortunes of the war ; and yet I cannot forbear to allude to the circumstance for a brief moment, since it is uppermost in your thoughts, and since this regiment, which for many months has been the desire of my own heart, is present now before this vast assembly of friendly citizens of Massa- chusetts, prepared to vindicate by its future, - as it has already begun to do by its brief history of camp life here, -to vin- dicate in its own person, and in the presence, I trust, of all who belong to it, the character, the manly character, the zeal, the manly zeal, of the colored citizens of Massachusetts, and of those other States which have cast their lot with ours.
I owe to you, Mr. Commander, and to the officers who, asso- ciated with you, have assisted in the formation of this noble corps, composed of men selected from among their fellows for fine qualities of manhood, - I owe to you, sir, and to those of your associates who united with me in the original organization of this body, the heartiest and most emphatic expression of my cordial thanks. I shall follow you, Mr. Commander, your officers, and your men, with a friendly and personal solicitude, to say nothing of official care, which can hardly be said of any other corps which has marched from Massachusetts. My own personal honor. if I have any. is identified with yours. I stand or fall, as a man and a magistrate, with the rise or fall in the history of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment. I pledge not only in behalf of myself, but of all those whom I have the honor to represent to-day, the utmost generosity, the utmost
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kindness, the utmost devotion of hearty love, not only for the cause, but for you that represent it. We will follow your for- tunes in the camp and in the field with the anxious eyes of brethren, and the proud hearts of citizens.
To those men of Massachusetts and of surrounding States who have now made themselves citizens of Massachusetts, I have no word to utter fit to express the emotions of my heart. These men, sir, have now, in the Providence of God, given to them an opportunity which, while it is personal to themselves, is still an opportunity for a whole race of men. With arms possessed of might to strike a blow, they have found breathed into their hearts an inspiration of devoted patriotism and regard for their brethren of their own color, which has inspired them with a purpose to nerve that arm, that it may strike a blow which, while it shall help to raise aloft their country's flag - their country's flag, now, as well as ours - by striking down the foes which oppose it, strikes also the last shackle which binds the limbs of the bondmen in the Rebel States.
I know not, Mr. Commander, where, in all human history, to any given thousand men in arms there has been committed a work at once so proud, so precious, so full of hope and glory as the work committed to you. And may the infinite mercy of Almighty God attend you every hour of every day through all the experiences and vicissitudes of that dangerous life in which you have embarked ; may the God of our fathers cover your heads in the day of battle ; may He shield you with the arms of everlasting power ; may He hold you always - most of all, first of all, and last of all - up to the highest and holiest concep- tion of duty, so that if, on the field of stricken fight, your souls shall be delivered from the thraldom of the flesh, your spirits shall go home to God, bearing aloft the exulting thought of duty well performed, of glory and reward won, even at the hands of the angels who shall watch over you from above !
Mr. Commander, yon. sir, and most of your officers, have been carefully selected from among the most intelligent and
-- -
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experienced officers who have already performed illustrious ser- vice upon the field during the two years of our national conflict. I need not say, sir, with how much confidence and with how much pride we contemplate the leadership which this regiment will receive at your hands. In yourself, sir, your staff and line officers, we are enabled to declare a confidence which knows no hesitation and no doubt. Whatever fortune may betide you. we know from the past that all will be done for the honor of the cause, for the protection of the flag, for the defence of the right, for the glory of your country, and for the safety and the honor of these men whom we commit to you, that shall he either in the human heart, or brain, or arm.
And now, Mr. Commander, it is my most agreeable duty and high honor to hand to you, as the representative of the Fifty- fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, the American flag, " the star-spangled banner" of the Republic. Wherever its folds shall be unfurled, it will mark the path of glory. Let its stars be the inspiration of yourself, your officers, and your men. As the gift of the young ladies of the city of Boston to their brethren in arms, they will cherish it as the lover cherishes the recollection and fondness of his mistress; and the white stripes of its field will be red with their blood before it shall be surrendered to the foe.
I have also the honor, Mr. Commander, to present to you the State colors of Massachusetts, - the State colors of the old Bay State, borne already by fifty-three regiments of Mas- sachusetts soldiers, white men thus far, now to be borne by the Fifty-fourth Regiment of soldiers, not less of Massachu- setts than the others. Whatever may be said, Mr. Comman- der, of any other flag which has ever kissed the sunlight or been borne on any field, I have the pride and honor to be able to declare before you, your regiment, and these wit- nesses, that from the beginning till now, the State colors of Massachusetts have never been surrendered to any foe. The Fifty-fourth now holds in possession this sacred charge, in
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the performance of their duties as citizen soldiers. You will never part with that flag so long as a splinter of the staff or a thread of its web remains within your grasp. The State colors are presented to the Fifty-fourth by the Relief Society, composed of colored ladies of Boston.
And now let me commit to you this splendid emblematic banner. It is prepared for your acceptance by a large and patriotic committee, representing many others besides them- selves, - ladies and gentlemen of Boston, to whose hearty sympathy and powerful co-operation and aid much of the success which has hitherto attended the organization of this regiment is due. The Goddess of Liberty erect in beautiful guise and form ; Liberty, Loyalty, and Unity, - are the em- blems it bears. The Goddess of Liberty shall be the lady-love, whose fair presence shall inspire your hearts ; Liberty, Loy- alty, Unity, the watchwords in the fight.
And now, Mr. Commander, the sacred, holy Cross, repre- senting passion, the highest heroism, I scarcely dare trust myself to present to you. It is the emblem of Christianity. I have parted with the emblems of the State, of the nation, - heroic, patriotic emblems they are, dear, inexpressibly dear to all our hearts; but now In hoc signo vinces, - the Cross which represents the passion of our Lord, I now dare to pass into your soldier hands ; for we are fighting now a battle, not merely for country, not merely for humanity, not only for civilization, but for the religion of our Lord itself. When this cause shall ultimately fail, if ever failure at the last shall be possible, it will only fail when the last patriot, the last philanthropist, and the last Christian shall have tasted death, and left no descendants behind them upon the soil of Massachusetts.
This flag, Mr. Commander, has connected with its history the most touching and sacred memories. It comes to your regiment from the mother, sister, friends, family relatives, of one of the dearest and noblest boys of Massachusetts. I
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need not utter the name of Lieutenant Putnam in order to excite in every heart the tenderest emotions of fond regard, or the strongest feeling of patriotic fire. May you, sir, and these, follow not only on the field of battle, but in all the walks and ways of life, in camp and hereafter, when, on return- ing peace, you shall resume the more quiet and peaceful duties of citizens,- may you but follow the splendid example, the sweet devotion, mingled with manly, heroic character, of which the life and death of Lieutenant Putnam was one example ! How many more. there are we know not, - the record is not yet com- plete ; but oh, how many there are of these Massachusetts sons, who, like him, have tasted death for this immortal cause ! Inspired by such examples, fired by the heat and light of love and faith which illumined and warmed these heroic and noble hearts, may you, sir, and these march on to glory, to victory, and to every honor ! This flag I present to you, Mr. Commander, and your regiment. In hoc signo vinces.
At the conclusion of the Governor's remarks, when the applause had subsided, Colonel Shaw responded as follows: -
YOUR EXCELLENCY : We accept these flags with feelings of deep gratitude. They will remind us not only of the cause we are fighting for, and of our country, but of the friends we have left behind us, who have thus far taken so much interest in this regiment, and whom we know will follow us in our career. Though the greater number of men in this regiment are not Massachusetts men, I know there is not one who will not be proud to fight and serve under our flag. May we have an opportunity to show that you have not made a mistake in intrusting the honor of the State to a colored regiment, - the first State that has sent one to the war.
I am very glad to have this opportunity to thank the offi- cers and men of the regiment for their untiring fidelity and
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devotion to their work from the very beginning. They have shown that sense of the importance of the undertaking without which we should hardly have attained our end.
After the command was reviewed by the Governor, the battalion was dismissed, and officers and men devoted themselves to the entertainment of their guests.
Gen. David Hunter, commanding the Department of the South, desired the Fifty-fourth sent to South Carolina. His wishes were gratified; for on May 18 the Secretary of War telegraphed Governor Andrew to have the Fifty- fourth report to General Hunter at once. With a field of service under a commander who had shown such faith in colored soldiers, the regiment prepared to depart upon the arrival of a steamer ordered from New York.
May 28, at 6.30 A. M., the regiment formed line for the last time at Readville, and marching to the railroad station, embarked on cars, arriving at Boston about nine o'clock. As the companies filed into the street from the station, the command was received with cheers from a large gathering. One hundred policemen, under the chief, Colonel Kurtz, were present, to clear the streets. Un- known to the general public, reserves of police were held in readiness, under cover, to repress any riotous proceedings.
Preceded by Gilmore's band, the line of march was taken up through Pleasant, Boylston, Essex, Chauncy, Summer, High, Federal, Franklin, Washington, School, and Tremont streets, Pemberton Square, Somerset and Beacon streets to the State House. All along the route the sidewalks, windows, and balconies were thronged with spectators, and the appearance of the regiment caused
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repeated cheers and waving of flags and handkerchiefs. The national colors were displayed everywhere. Passing the house of Wendell Phillips, on Essex Street, William Lloyd Garrison was seen standing on the balcony, his hand resting on the head of a bust of John Brown. Only hearty greetings were encountered; not an insulting word was heard, or an unkind remark made. At a point on Essex Street, Colonel Shaw was presented with a bouquet by a lady.
Halting at the State House, Governor Andrew, his staff, and many distinguished gentlemen were received with due honor, and thence escorted along Beacon Street to the Common, which was entered by the Charles Street gateway. This historic parade-ground was crowded with spectators.
After a short rest, Governor Andrew, with Major- Generals Sutton and Andrews, and their respective staffs, Senator Wilson, the Executive Council, the Mayor of Boston, officers of other regiments, and other distin- guished persons, took position at the reviewing stand. When all was ready, Colonel Shaw led his regiment in column over the intervening ground, and past the review- ing stand.
Again a rest; until, about noon, the regiment moved from the Common by the West Street gate, marched through Tremont, Court, State, and Commercial streets, and arrived at Battery Wharf. Entering State Street, the band played the stirring music of John Brown's hymn, while passing over ground moistened by the blood of Crispus Attucks, and over which Anthony' Burns and Thomas Sims had been carried back to bondage. It is a curious fact that Sims himself witnessed the march of
MILES MOORE, Mus., Co. II.
JOHN GOOSBERRY, Mus., Co. E. WILLIAM J. NETSON, Principal Mus., Co. K. ROBERT J. JONES, Pvt., Co. I.
HENRY STEWART, Seret .. Co. E.
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the Fifty-fourth. All along this street the reception accorded was most hearty; and from the steps of the Exchange, crowded with business men, the appearance of the regimental colors was the signal for repeated and rousing cheers.
Of this march the papers of the day were full of items and accounts. One journal said: -
" No regiment has collected so many thousands as the Fifty- fourth. Vast crowds lined the streets where the regiment was to pass, and the Common was crowded with an immense number of people such as only the Fourth of July or some rare event causes to assemble. . . . No white regiment from Massachu- setts has surpassed the Fifty-fourth in excellence of drill, while in general discipline, dignity, and military bearing the regiment is acknowledged by every candid mind to be all that can be desired."
Upon arriving at Battery Wharf, the lines were main- tained by the police. Many friends were allowed to re- main with the officers for parting words until the vessel sailed.
It was about one o'clock in the afternoon when the regi- ment embarked on the steamer "De Molay," and four o'clock before the lines were cast off and the vessel slowly moved from the wharf, where friendly and loving hands waved adieus, to which those on board responded. A few friends, including Adjutant-General Schouler and Frederick Douglass, remained until the steamer was well away, when they too said their farewells, and returned to the city on a tugboat.
Soon the city, the islands, and the shores faded from view, as the "De Molay " steamed rapidly out of harbor. The Fifty-fourth was en route for rebellious soil.
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The following roster of officers of the Fifty-fourth com- prises all those who departed for the field with the regi- ment on May 28, and their respective rank and assignment at the time. -
Colonel, - Robert G. Shaw. Major, - Edward N. Hallowell.
Surgeon, - Lincoln R. Stone. Assistant-Surgeon, - Charles B. Bridgham. Adjutant, -- Garth W. James.
Quartermaster, -John Ritchie.
COMPANY A. COMPANY F.
Capt., John W. M. Appleton.
Capt., Watson W. Bridge.
1 st Lieut., Wm. HI. Homans. 2d Lieut., Alexander Johnston.
COMPANY B.
COMPANY G.
Capt., Samuel Willard [Mann]. 1st Lieut., Orin E. Smith. 1st Lieut., James M. Walton. 2d Lieut., James A. Pratt. 2d Lieut., Thomas L. Appleton.
COMPANY C.
COMPANY H.
1st Lieut., James W. Grace.
Capt., Cabot J. Russel.
2d Lieut., Benjamin F. Dexter. 2d Lient., Willard Howard.
COMPANY D.
Capt., Edward L. Jones.
1st Lieut., R. H. L. Jewett.
COMPANY I.
Capt., George Pope.
1st Lieut., Francis L. Higginson. 2d Lieut., Charles E. Tucker.
COMPANY E.
COMPANY K. Capt., William H. Simpkins.
Capt., Luis F. Emilio.
2d Lieut., David Reid.
2d Lieut., Henry W. Littlefield.
Lewis H. Douglass, a son of Frederick Douglass, was the original sergeant-major. Arthur B. Lee, of Company A, was made commissary-sergeant; and Theodore J. Becker, hospital steward.
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CHAPTER III.
THE SEA ISLANDS.
M ANY of the Fifty-fourth, born in the interior, never had seen the ocean; others had not voyaged upon it. Several of the officers, however, had been over the course, or a portion of it, before. For all it was a season of rest. The "De Molay " was a commodious, new, and excellent transport. The staterooms were comfortable, the cabin finely furnished, and the table well provided. For the men bunks were arranged between decks for sleep- ing, and large coppers for cooking purposes; plenty of condensed but unpalatable water was furnished. May 29, the sea was smooth all day, and the weather fine but not clear. Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket were passed in
the morning. At night a fine moon rose. Foggy weather prevailed on the 30th, with an increasing ground-swell, cansing some seasickness. The next day the steamer struggled against a head wind. At midnight the craft narrowly escaped grounding on Point Lookout shoals. Some one had tampered with the sounding-line. June 1, pleasant weather enabled the seasick to take some interest in life. The air was soft and balmy, as we ran down the North Carolina coast, which was dimly visible. A few porpoises and a shark or two followed the ship. Distant sails were sighted at times. When evening came, the sun sank into the sea, red and fiery, gilding the horizon. A
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