USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 10
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lage before the arrival of our troops. The victo- rions heroes were received by the colored ladies iu silks and satins that had adorned the beautiful forms of Carolina's fairest daughters. Why this decision to
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sacrifice all these means of sensuous ease and their corresponding mental ecstasy ? If for no other reason, they must have felt that through the senses they had attained the climax of earthly felicity, and sought a change as a contrast to the state of indolence and -atiety in which they had reveled all their lives. In such a spot and such a clime, with such surroundings. one would think that they might have extemporized an earthly heaven. One fact is worthy of mention to show the exclusiveness of these modern nabobs. There were no hotels in Beaufort. The proprietors of these palaces lived here during the year. In summer the human tide from afar set in. Each establishment had its select, welcome and picked few, upon the principle that like seeks like. Hence there were no resting places for miscellaneous visitors, but each private res- idence was a hotel for those enrapport with the head ofit. The beauty of the town is its naturalness, or absence of artificial arrangement. The trees are ir- regularly situated all over it, yet forming one un- broken shade. These southern residences are so thickly surrounded with trees that they are seen, as the bird on its nest, through the branches. Such was Beau- fort as we saw it during military occupation, with its private residences used as hospitals for our suffering and mutilated soldiery from the charges of Wagner, and the sieges of Wagner and Gregg, and before Charleston.
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CHAPTER XXIV.
REGIMENT PITCHED CAMP ON FOLLY ISLAND. - PAYMASTER ARRIVED. - PAID TROOPS FOR SIX MONTHS. - CHAP- LAIN LINN WENT NORTH. - CAMP MOVED. - ROADS WERE CONSTRUCTED. - CO. "II " DETACHED TO PAW- NEE LANDING .- PROMOTIONS MADE .- PICKET, FATIGUE, DRILLS AND INSPECTIONS CONTINUED. - WEATHER VERY WARM. - CO. "C" DETACHED TO SOUTH END OF THE ISLAND. - GEN. GILLMORE SUCCEEDS GEN. HUNTER. - ACTIVE OPERATIONS EXPECTED.
As intimated, the regiment began at once to pitch tents and arrange all the details of camp. Lieut. Col. Otis had charge of the details for making roads, as, since the arrival of troops, freedom of passage over the island must be had. screened from the observation of the enemy. The days were very warm, and the nights cool and damp, with dews equal to light showers of rain. Regiment moved camp again to smoother and higher ground.
Sunday, April 19th. The paymaster arrived and paid off the regiment for six months. Chaplain Linn obtained a leave of absence of thirty days to go North,
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and took the money of all soldiers who desired to send to their families and friends. There was an intense business aspect all over camp. In every tent could be seen some one with paper, pen or pencil, record- ing a few lines to loved ones at home. I wished, often, that the people could look in upon the doings of these regimental families, and observe what an interest they had in the loved and remembered far away. McCarty, the regimental sutler, arrived at this, to him, most fortunate time, to glean all the spare dollars of officers and men. He did a thriving busi- ness with what few goods he had. Lient. Col. Otis held court martial and tried a number of cases. Gen. Vogdes returned proceedings three times before he was pleased, in accordance with his views, and so en- tirely opposite to those of Gen. Naglee. Co. "H," Capt. Walbridge, was detached from the regiment and located permanently a short way up the island, at Pawnee Landing. A camp was laid out, wells dug, and the usual routine of camp life observed. The company was convenient for picket, as well as a sup- port for one gun planted at that point to defend the landing. The distance was about two miles from the regiment. The weather became very warm, and hence the underbrush was dry and subject to being burned. It was not uncommon to fight fire for successive days, to save camp and necessaries. The surface of the i-land was completely burned over, to the terror of vermin of all descriptions. The heat was oppressive, and had it not been for the daily breezes from the S
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ocean it would have been insupportable. The rebel drums could be heard across Folly river on James island. Life in company camp, detached from the regiment, was monotonous. An occasional thunder storm would purify the air. Flies were swarming, and disputed every monthful of food taken by the soldier.
April 30th. Regiment mustered for pay. Lieut. William Brown assumed the duties of quartermaster. with George G. Barnum, of Co. "H." as clerk, who proved to be an efficient aid, and who was subsequently quartermaster-sergeant, and lieutenant and quarter- master of the regiment. Company drills from 6 to " A. M .; dress parade at St A. M., and guard mount- ing at 9 A. M.
May 1st. Received a large mail, which was always a festive occasion in the regiment. The men were reading the daily papers from home, carefully study- ing the contents of letters received, which were placed safely in the pocket to be reproduced on pieket. or fatigue, when times of rest. occurred. This bond of connection could not be lightly estimated. It was a source of power to the army, and the expense of mail transportation was the most profitable investment, as a rule, of all the expenses of the government. Changes were occurring among the officers. Promotions and discharges were the results necessarily of various causes. Leopold Evert was promoted to captain of Co. " C." ; Charles E. Walbridge, captain of Co. " H." and Charles F. Gardner, captain of Co. " G." George II. Stowits, Cornelius B. Adriance, Michael Friday.
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and Leonard D. Howell, were promoted to be second lieutenants, and also Carlos HI. Richmond. Hence in the wake of these changes there was a steady system of culture established, by which the non-commissioned officer was preparing, in his turn, to become a com- missioned officer. We may not note all these changes, but the official record at the close of the volume, as we have mentioned, will show all such that took place in the regiment.
Military matters had assumed a steady and even aspect over the whole island. Drills and inspections were regularly held. Dress parade occurred at & A. M. The regiment stood backs to the sun, and with sueh order and quietude that a motion of hand or movement of lips was not to be observed. The sun at that hour in the morning would shine so warmly that it seemed hot iron was applied at the back of our neeks. However, it was a fine sight : that large regi- ment cleanly dressed, polished accoutrements, burn- ished arms and white gloves, standing as a picture on that desert isle, as a defenee for the unity of the na- tion. Most of camp labor and drill was performed in the morning, as the heat was so great at meridian that it was not safe nor politic to exercise the men.
May 13th. The men were ordered to clear brush and prepare place for new camp, one of the sanitary means for preserving the health of troops, that of re- moving them from accumulated refuse and decaying garbage.
May 19th. Another mail arrived. Camp was
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moved. Co. "C," Capt. Evert, was detached to work on fort at the south end of the island. Licut. James HI. Dandy was detailed on special duty in the com- missary department at Hilton Head. The men were furnished with white gloves for inspection and dress parade. A small per cent. of men were allowed to go home on furlough. Officers were coming and going to Hilton Head and Beaufort for the purposes of mus- ter out as non-commissioned officers, and muster in as commissioned officers. Steamers were running regu- larly from the south end of Folly island to Seabrook on the North Edisto, and from thence to Hilton Head and Beaufort. At Hilton Head an extensive dock had been constructed, extending beyond low tide, at which steamers were constantly loading and unloading for various points on the coast, together with others taking furloughed men North, and returning with supplies, forage, ammunition and all articles needed for the maintenance of a large army. The month of May wore away under the command of Gen. Vogdes, but on the air came signs of active operations. Gen. Hunter, at a safe distance from the bombarding fleet, prayed for the success of Du Pont, and at the same time denied to the brave Gen. Strong the liberty of making a night attaek upon Morris island, to divert the guns of Wagner, Gregg and Sumter. Hunter withdrew his army of cooperation, and sailed away to more comfortable quarters at Hilton Head, where he had fought a paper warfare with Gens. Naglee and Foster, and indulged in showy reviews before his abor-
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tive advance upon Charleston. An officer of indolence was to be supplanted by one of energy. Hunter gave place to Gillmore on the 10th of June. Gen. Gillmore, at the time, was in command of a division in Kentucky, and had won a battle at Somerset, and more, had gained distinction as a successful engineer in the reduction of Fort Pulaski in the spring of 1862. With these foreshadowings of his ability he was called to Washington, and at once proposed to take and hold Morris island, reduce Fort Wagner and Battery Gregg. and render Sumter powerless as a work for offensive operations.
Gen. Gillmore reached Hilton Head the 12th of June. The command was hardly turned over to him before he started on a tour of inspection of the forces and their situation in his department. Gen. Vogdes was in command on Folly and Cole's islands. It was evident that instant and vigorous operations were intended. The quiet that had prevailed throughout the camps of Howell's brigade was disturbed. Order- lies were riding with orders to brigade and regimen- tal headquarters, and an air of stir and excitement reigned.
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CHAPTER XXV.
BATTERIES TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE NORTH END OF FOLLY ISLAND. - THE CONDITION OF THE ISLAND WHEN FIRST VISITED. - THE GOOD HEALTH OF THE ONE HUNDREDTII REGIMENT. - A VISIT TO BEAUFORT. - THE RAID OF COL. MONTGOMERY WITH NEGRO TROOPS .- THE GREAT CHANGES IN PUBLIC SENTIMENT SINCE THE OPENING OF THE WAR .- WEATHER WARM. - THE RESIGNATION OF LIEUT. COL. OTIS. - IIIS HONORABLE DISCHARGE. - COMPANIES DETAILED AL- TERNATELY AT THE HEAD OF THE ISLAND. - REBELS SHELL THE ISLAND.
Batteries at the north end of Folly island were to be constructed commanding the south end of Morris island. When Folly island was first occupied, its ex- tremities could be reached only on the seaside, along the beach and up Folly river. The island was a juu- gle so closely thicketed that its passage was one of great difficulty. Previous to the arrival of Gen. Gill- more, roads had been constructed its whole length, as well as intersecting lateral ones for armny uses, invisi- ble to the enemy's observations. Gen. Vogdes had
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with great pride constructed works on the south end of the island, and inquired of Gen. Gillmore his opin- ion of their merits. To which the General and Engi- neer replied, that they were very nice if the island was poised on a pivot, but they were on the wrong end, seven miles from the place of need.
The military force on the island was increased by detachments of the First New York Volunteer Engi- neers, First United States, Third Rhode Island and Third New York Artillery. Gen. Gillmore com- meneed work on the batteries the 15th of June. A thousand men as guards and laborers were sent to the head of the island to break soil for immediate opera- tions. The work was continued night and day. Un- der cover of thick brush and timber the works were pushed rapidly to completion. Col. Dandy was in command of the working parties during the erection of the batteries. The rebels had constructed a high tower at Secessionville, on the left, across the marsh, from which they could overlook the low flat country for miles around. The needed material for the works was transported at night, so that men and teams were unobserved. The rebels suspected that all was not right on the island, and opened fire from their batteries on the south end of Morris island, which made the completion of the works one of peril, as several men were killed and wounded. As no reply was made, our silence gave the impression that we had been driven from the island.
From this hour the sufferings of the men commenced.
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The heat and night work, with exposure to the damps and irregular rest, caused malarial typhoid fever and chronic diarrhoea. Up to this time the health of the regiment was good, and as a rule it was better than that of any other regiment in the brigade, or in other brigades working with it. In this there was a won- derful difference. The composition of the One Hun- dredth Regiment from lake, canal, city and surround- ing country, seemed from its elements to be better able to endure the severities of clime and fatigue than those from the careful and steady habits of country farm and workshop. Whole regiments seemed to manifest the symptoms of disease through sympathetic affection, and were ordered away to quiet quarters at Fernandina, and other localities along the coast, to re- cruit and mend for the performance of duties assigned them. The Chaplain returned to the regiment. Capt. Mayo, of Co. " A," was discharged, and left for home. The writer had five days' leave of absence to muster as second lieutenant, and had an opportunity of in- specting more closely the several positions along the coast. The landing at Hilton Head had become quite a busy town, so large are the needs of an army in the way of provisions for the consummation of its oper- ations. At this hour, and under the vigilant eye of Gen. Gillmore, the army had everything a willing government could supply. A floating workshop for the navy, transports loaded with provisions for man and beast, and all munitions ready for instant and active operations. The trip from Hilton Head up
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the bay, Broad and Beaufort rivers, is very fine, as we experienced it at the close of a warm day in the mid- dle of June.
At Beaufort was the brigade commanded by Col. Davis, from which the One Hundredth had been de- tached. Previous to my visit to Beaufort, Col. Mont- gomery, with his negro regiment, made a raid to the main land to get recruits. The recruiting was a suc- cess. He brought back some eight hundred negroes of all ages and conditions, and of both sexes, about one hundred of whom were put into his regiment. At the time of my visit I found this collection from the coun- try housed in one of the churches of Beaufort, to be fil on government rations until distributed for use, or dependency. Truly it was a novel sight, and the al- most unintelligible jargon was indescribable.
Schools were established on all the islands within our lines, and teachers from the North, mostly ladies, were engaged in the work. We visited most of the -chools, and found that there seemed to be a desire on the part of all to learn, as would be expected from a class of persons so recently slaves, and now in the novel condition of independence. In looking over the mat- rer, educationally, at that time, we thought we saw what has really been accomplished. That the ques- tion of culture, the education of the slave, would be- rome a national work and a question of wide-spread interest. So in our narrow quarters, with tallow can- (1 ... we digested an article, and sent it to the editor of the New York Teacher, and learned through its col- 8*
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umns in a short editorial, that what we had amplified as a matter of great moment could only be a minor question of politics. So our Morris island thoughts on education, with years of experience as a teacher. found the darkness of the waste basket. But the morning light of a few years has seen and is now shin- ing upon thousands of school houses for ten thousands of colored children, as well as upon normal structures for the culture of colored teachers; and more, a col- ored senator now sits in the place of the once presi- dent of the so-called Confederacy and former occu- pant of the same seat, from the State of Mississippi.
Truly, great changes have taken place within the past ten years in the growth and tendencies of this people. We listen to exchanged messages around the globe, o'er land and through the ocean's depths, while thundering o'er plain, through valley and tunnelled slopes, from far Pacific's shore, comes the iron steed bringing from the orient representatives of five hun- dred millions of people, whose illuminated faces beam with the light and splendor of the occident, welcomed with the greetings of thirty-five millions of educated, enterprising, free, American citizens: John China- man and his Japanese brother reclining upon the broad shoulders of brother Jonathan.
The One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania was encamped within the town. Its commander, Col. Davis, on two occasions was in command of the post. His description of the camp of the One Hundred and Fourth is very minute, and shows what a soldier can
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accomplish in the way of adornment when within reach of means to accomplish the busy working of brain, in taste, skill and handiwork. The same and similar results were seen throughout our army every- where, evidencing the fact, that culture is everything, and that it will control our actions under all circum- stances. Our stay at Beaufort, though short, was pleasant, and save the annoyance of the mosquitoes, was all that could be desired. But like military orders it had an end. Town, bay, and coast beauties all were left, and soon the shores of Folly island greeted our eyes, from which we receded only a few days before.
The weather at this date, Monday, June 15th, was very warm. The rebels had been throwing shells into the camps at the north end of the island, annoying the working parties. Capt. Payne and twenty men went to a steamer aground off the island. The rebels attempted to reach it, and our men drove them back. Then the rebels commenced shelling the wreck, and the Captain was obliged to retire with what booty the men could transport. The regiment was called out to await orders. In another attempt both the enemy and our men endeavored to get a barge to the wreck for plunder, which caused a brisk cannonade.
During the night of June 15th, the rebels threw shells all night and most of the following day. The time had come when there must be an end of military a-ociation between the Colonel commanding and Lieut. Col. Otis. The result, that of the resignation of Col.
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Otis, is what could be expected as the end of what we stated, that from the nature of things the appointment of Col. Dandy could not work harmony among those who organized the regiment, and who gave their money, time and influence, which ultimated in success. It could not be otherwise, than that a once civilian should become restive under the imperiousness of mili- tary ways and modes of treatment, too common be- tween the volunteer and members of the regular army. Lieut. Col. Otis resigned, and was honorably discharged, and left the regiment and the service with the good wishes of all who knew him, as a feeling, sympathetic and fatherly friend. In the interim Col. Dandy had been detailed on duty at the head of the island. An order was issued forming the Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania, Sixth Connecticut, Thirty-ninth Illinois and One Hundredth Regiments into a brigade, to be commanded by Col. Howell. The One Hundredth Regiment was inspected by Lieut. Col. Jackson. In the absence of Lient. Col. Otis, Maj. Nash's duties were doubled, and he was at once ordered at the head of the island with Col. Dandy. Earthworks and batteries were being constructed on the north end of Folly, opposite Morris island. Co. " K" was sent on duty for five days. Co. " B" was also sent.
Sunday, June 21st. Capt. Payne brought in four rebel deserters. Pavmaster paid the regiment for two months. The rebels continued to throw shells on the north end of the island, and wounded two men.
June 24th. Co. "C" was still in eamp at south
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end of Folly island. The weather was very warm. The writer at this time was prostrate with typhoid fever, and sickness was increasing to an alarming ex- tent among the troops on the island.
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CHAPTER XXVI.
PROSECUTION OF THE WORKS AT THE NORTHI END OF THE ISLAND .- RESIGNATIONS .- COMPLETION OF BATTERIES, 3D JULY. - ALL TROOPS AVAILABLE SENT TO FOLLY ISLAND. - TIME FIXED FOR OPENING, THE 10TH JULY. - CAPT. PAYNE, THIE SCOUT. - GEN. STRONG IN COM- MAND OF THE ASSAULTING TROOPS. - GEN. SEYMOUR IN COMMAND OF BATTERIES. - BATTERIES OPENED. - REBELS FLED. - PRISONERS TAKEN. - THREE-FOURTHS OF THE ISLAND TAKEN. - FORT WAGNER ASSAULTED, JULY 11TII. - A REPULSE. - TROOPS INTRENCHI.
The regiment was mustered for pay Tuesday, June 90th. The works at the head of the island were vig- orously pushed forward to completion. The weather was very warm, with occasional showers. What with heat and fatigue, the men were worn and weary. Lieut. Horace Baker was discharged the service. Lieut. James Kavanagh sent in his resignation, and was subsequently missing from July 31st, 1863. First Lient. Charles F. Sheffer sent in his resignation, and was subsequently discharged the service, an officer of genial manners and much missed by both officers and
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men. The regiment had battalion drill, and from the thorough inspections and supplies of clothing and am- munition, the men felt that the trial event of moving forward toward Charleston was about to commence.
On the 3d of July the batteries were essentially fin- ished. Forty-eight guns and mortars of different cal- ibre, were in position. The batteries were embra- sured and reveted, and supplied with magazines and splinter proofs for temporary protection, together with two hundred rounds of ammunition for each gun and mortar. It was summer. Every surviving soldier engaged in that work will stop as with a shock from a galvanic battery, at the thought of those nights of toil, those days of rest, or attempted rest, with gnats, mosquitoes and sand fleas; the dragging through the sand on the beach of heavy guns, mortars, timber and ammunition, so stealthly and silently, with stars over- head, and the white shifting sand beneath ; the hushed orders of officers and engineers, the lonely watch as sentinels, piercing the dim haze of marsh, inlet and ocean, the thug of round shot, and explosion of hissing shells, the stifled groans of wounded comrades passing to the rear, the large number in camp suffering from malarial typhoid fever, the muffled drum, and ominous volley fired over the graves of departed comrades, all these facts and experiences are burned into the memory, by the intense heat and suffering of that sum- mer life amid the sand hills, thickets, palmettos and -en dirge of that lonely barren isle, a fit abode for pro- fessional wreckers, not humane or enlightened men.
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During the prosecution of the works, that daring. resolute, reticent, and generally successful scout, Capt. L. S. Payne, of our regiment, was rendering important service by exploring the creeks, channels and shores of James and smaller islands, often inside of the enemy's lines, evading their pickets and sucess- fully passing, avoiding and escaping from them, ascer- taining the position, strength and apparent intentions of the rebels, and even venturing into the vicinity of Sumter, beyond the batteries of Morris island. There was not an officer to be found on the island upon whom the generals could rely with such accuracy as on the representations of Capt. Payne. Not given to imagery or over statement, his conclusions were the results of very careful observations made up to, and within the reach of, the various points inspected. Hence, with his characteristic coolness and clearness of apprehension, his superior officers learned that his statements were facts upon which to base movements and action.
Auxilliary to the contemplated attack on Morris island, the reduction of Sumter and contiguous bat- teries, an expedition was sent from Beaufort. com- manded by Col. Higginson, of the First South Carolina Volunteers, to destroy the railroad bridge between Charleston and Savannah. The rebels had been in- formed and were in strong force awaiting the attack. It was a failure, with the loss of two guns and several men killed and wounded. Another in command of Gen. Terry, of Fort Fisher fame, against James island
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