Chapter II: Part 2

There were more than the required number came forward from the brigade (the call was for 200 men from the brigade) and ninety-two men were accepted from the 48th Massachusetts. The following are the names of those accepted from the 48th: Lieut.-Col. O’Brien; Co. A, Capt. Woodward, Lieut. Morrison, Privates E. C. Varina, N. F. Peabody, Isaac F. Porter, Henry M. Cross; Co. C, Lieut. Emery; Co. D, Private J. F. Kinsman; Co. E, Privates Geo. Wagner, John Lewis, H. Mansfield, Henry Krone, J. F. Stoddard; Co. F, Lieut. Noyes, Privates Austin Smith, George Bocock, P. Noonan, A. Mullins, John McDougal, J. P. Blanchard, D. C. Morrill, E. J. Oakes; Co. G, Capt. Schoff; Co. H, Capt. Rogers, Lieut. Frawley, Lieut. McGinness, Sergts. Thomas McLaughlin, John W. Leyes, Richard Ward, Corporals Timothy Lehiffe, Robert Leach, James Gildee, Daniel Desmond, Privates Michael Farley, Morrissey A. Hearn, Joseph Burgess, John Boyle, John Bradley, Michael Bates, Patrick Cullins, Patrick Dumey, Wm. Finnigan, James Gilogby, Matthew R. Gleason, John Kelley, James Leach, Dennis Leon, Dennis Noonan, James Walsley, Thomas Scully, Peter McCauley, Patrick Manus, William A. Murphy, Patrick Murray, James O’Connell, Wm. Powers, James Quigley, Patrick Riley, James Spear, Edward Slyne, William Tagget, Hugh Willey; Co. I, Capt. Smith, Lieut. Ricker, Lieut. Bassett; Co. K, Lieut. Harding, Privates Daniel Crowley, Ed. Ryan, J. Gallagher, James Rand, J. Keenan.

May 27. Before the men had had their breakfast orders were received to assault the enemy’s works. Immediately we advanced quietly to the extreme edge of the woods where we laid on our arms till about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, the “Forlorn Hope” under command of Lieut.-Col. O’Brien in the advance. At that hour and before the main line had fairly formed for the assault we received a volley from the enemy’s guns and at the same time the zip of the rebel bullets was getting unpleasantly frequent. General Augur, who stood very near, seeing the men dodge their heads at the disagreeable sound said, “No use boys to dodge them after you hear them,” a fact we soon learned by experience. The “Forlorn Hope” had commenced the charge, O’Brien saying, “Come boys! pick up your bundles and follow me,” and General Augur gave the command, “Forward the Brigade,” and the whole brigade advanced into the “slashings.” The whole forest of large trees and small had been felled and the limbs lopped off and left upon the ground, which was entirely covered with the stumps, logs and brush; and through this almost impenetrable Chevaux de Frise, the men attempted to charge, and over which a perfect storm of shell, canister and rifle bullets flew like hail; no formation could be maintained over such grounds and in a few moments it was every one for himself. The “Forlorn Hope” and the main line became inextricably mixed, and advanced together, charged nearly up to the rebel works, but the fire was so severe that human endurance was not equal to the task set for us, and the men were compelled to drop behind stumps and logs, and take advantage of any shelter to be found, and acted as sharpshooters, hoping that reinforcements might be sent up and continue the assault. The 2d Louisiana from Dudley’s brigade came up the road later, but too late to be of any service, and the assault was abandoned, and the men dropped back individually to their old line as best they could. Col. Chapin, 116th New York, commanding the brigade, Lieut.-Col. O’Brien, 48th Massachusetts, commanding the “Forlorn Hope,” and many others were killed; Capt. Rogers, Co. H, Capt. Smith, Co. I, Lieuts. Morrison, Frawley, Maginnis, Ricker, Bassett and Harding, and many others wounded, and a large number of the rank and file of the regiment were killed or more or less seriously wounded; Lieut. Ricker suffered the amputation of his leg. As we came back from the front, we had our first sight of the dreadful effects of a battle and burial of the dead in one line, about twenty dead bodies lying at the side of the road, and the long trench all ready to receive them. Poor fellows, with no coffin and no shroud but the blue uniform in which they had shed their blood for the flag they loved.

May 28. Ambulances and stretchers under flags of truce have been going all night, bringing in the bodies of the dead and wounded. Col. Chapin’s body has been sent to New Orleans. Lieut.-Col. O’Brien’s body has just been found in the most advanced line. When his clothes were opened the bullet which penetrated his body fell out, it having passed entirely through him and flattened up against a steel vest which he wore into the battle. He recklessly exposed himself and lost his life by so doing, seeking to retrieve himself from Gen. Augur’s kindly criticism of his mistake of the 21st at Plains Store.

May 29. The regiment laid on their arms all night in expectation of an attack by the garrison, but the night passed away and all has been quiet in camp today. Several heavy thunder showers in the afternoon. Orders received to fall in with all our traps and go to the rear; mud very deep and the march tedious.

The 2d Louisiana has been attached to our brigade and Col. Charles J. Paine of that regiment, being senior Colonel, takes command of the brigade. He is a Massachusetts man and is said to be a fine officer.

May 30. Cannonading going on all the night and day from the batteries and from the fleet. Marched back to our old camp in front.

June 1. A Lieutenant of sharpshooters wounded during the early morning. Gen. Banks was much chagrined at the failure of the first assault. Regiment marched back to the rear after dark to support batteries. Laid in cornfield with cornstalks for bedding and pillow.

June 2. Regiment got into line at 4 o’clock and marched back to old camp ground. Co. E detailed to go to the rear to guard the baggage train to relieve Co. G.

June 3. Smart cannonading all night. Gen. Banks and Admiral Farragut give the rebs no peace day or night.

June 4. Regiment marched back to the old camp in front. Four men of Co. B reported from Baton Rouge.

June 5. Officers ordered to report at Brigade Headquarters to confer about Lieutenant-Colonelcy. The laws of Massachusetts state explicitly that the vacancy shall be filled by the votes of the line officers of the regiment.

June 6. Rumored preparations for another assault. Col. Stone sent for Capt. Stanwood and requested him to act as Lieutenant-Colonel till the vacancy could be legally filled, saying that an election would soon be ordered.

June 7. False alarm in the night. Man with nightmare disturbed camp by upsetting a stack of guns and bringing out the whole regiment. Inspection at 9 o’clock A. M.

June 8. Harrison W. Dearborn, Co. B, died at Baton Rouge. Immense lots of cotton bales being hauled to the front for breastworks.

June 9. Smart firing during the night. Large fire to be seen in Port Hudson.

June 10. Some heavy cannonading during the night. Chaplain came up from Baton Rouge with mail today. Quartermaster came up from Baton Rouge with new teams.

June 11. Many of the men are suffering badly from rheumatism, malaria and kindred ailments, acquired from lying in the rifle pits, which are much of the time half full of water. Nothing more has been said regarding an election of Lieutenant-Colonel, and there is much speculation among the officers and men as to the reason.

June 12. An election for Lieutenant-Colonel was ordered by Col. Stone and held today and Capt. Stanwood was unanimously chosen.

June 13. The regiment received orders at 10 o’clock A. M. to report to Gen. Augur’s headquarters at once. On reporting to Gen. Augur we were ordered to march away to the right to report to Gen. Arnold, chief of artillery. Reported at about 11 o’clock after a very quick march, in which many of the men suffered terribly, it being in the very heat of the day and with but one halt on the road; we must have marched at least seven or eight miles. Stacked arms and took entrenching tools--which in plain English means picks and shovels and axes. Some of the companies were detailed to clear out a big ravine which led up in the direction of the rebel breastworks and just in the rear of where it was intended to plant a battery, while others were busied in throwing up the breastworks, carrying up ammunition and other duties. Worked till dark and without supper; made preparations to bivouac, when we were ordered to take up our march again to our old camp at the rear near the Plains Store, whence we had started in the morning. Arrived in camp late in the evening, and after enjoying (?) coffee and hardtack laid our tired bones on the ground with the hope of gaining some rest; but our hopes were blasted. We had got scarcely settled to rest when the following order was received directly from Gen. Banks’ headquarters:

“Headquarters, Department of the Gulf.
“Before Port Hudson, June 13, 1863, 8.45 P. M.

“Maj.-Gen. Augur will order the 48th Massachusetts, Col. Stone, to proceed at once to the headquarters of the 2d Division and report for temporary duty to Brig.-Gen. William Dwight, commanding the Division. A general assault upon the works of the enemy at Port Hudson will be made tomorrow morning, 14th instant.”

The regiment got into line, being nearly 500 strong (or weak), but so used up that many fell out during the march through the woods, which occupied nearly all the night--the guide sent with us losing the way--and it was nearly morning when Col. Stone reported to Gen. Dwight. It was intended that we should occupy the extreme left on the river bank and make our charge at that point; but after reconnoitering the ground we were moved further to the right, to near the Mount Pleasant road, and bivouacked at the side of the road.

June 14. A dense fog prevailing and terribly hot. Col. Stone reported to Gen. Dwight at a very early hour, before light, with 175 men and four Captains present for duty, the rest of the men having become exhausted by the work of yesterday and the night march through the woods, having started from Plains Store yesterday morning with nearly 500 men.

A tremendous artillery fire for an hour commenced at about 3 o’clock, both from land forces and the fleet. The men present in the regiment were consolidated into four companies, and Capt. Todd volunteered to take command of the right company, consisting of remnants of Cos. B and E.

The bombardment continued fiercely for an hour, during which time the columns were being formed for the assault in the rear of a piece of woods; the formation was in column by companies and Capt. Todd led the advance. We in the 48th could see the effect of the rebel fire on the brigade in advance of us, as it turned the corner of the woods into the Mount Pleasant road. Quickly the order came down to “Forward the Brigade” (we were attached for the day to the brigade commanded by Col. Benedict). When we came out from the shelter of the woods the fire of the enemy was terrible, but the column moved forward firmly; the rebel line of breastworks was clearly defined before us, with the “Citadel” frowning in the front. As we advanced the march from quick time soon became double quick, and finally a mad rush, passing over dead and wounded in the road. The air fairly hissed with bullets and shell, the groans of the wounded mingled with the cheers and yells of the charging troops, the shouts of the officers and also their imprecations as some poor fellows, losing their presence of mind, would try to dodge the flying missiles as they passed to bury themselves with a sickening “thud” in some other doomed comrade’s body; it seemed as if pandemonium was let loose, and when we overtook and passed over the prostrate bodies of the red clothed fascine bearers, who had started in advance of the main column and who, unable to face the leaden storm, had dropped their burdens and taken shelter behind them, they were greeted with cries of derision, which quickly changed to cries of dismay when we came into the vortex and saw the ground swept as it were by a whirlwind, and every man sought shelter in ravines, behind stumps, logs and any object which could afford shelter.

This ended Gen. Dwight’s movement. But it had advanced our lines so that we held possession of a rough hill which commanded the “Citadel,” which had been the objective point of our assault, and which was the most formidable point in the rebel works. The men held themselves well and showed that former experiences had had a good effect. Capt. Todd was seriously wounded in the mouth; Adjt. Ogden was slightly wounded; Darius Nelson of Co. B was killed and others both killed and wounded. The Lieutenant-Colonel was thrown down by the explosion of a shell, which happily did not wound him, but his right leg was serious paralyzed and he laid on the field all day exposed to the pitiless fire of the rebel sharpshooters and the scarcely less endurable rays of the burning Louisiana sun, until night came and the Ambulance Corps and brought relief. The scenes on the field were heart-rending, and the sufferings of the wounded appealed so strongly to the sympathy of their more fortunate comrades that lives were lost and others risked attempting to succor these unfortunate men.

The movement was much criticized by some of the officers, especially the cannonade which preceded the assault, as it is said that by it the rebs were apprised that an assault was to be made and they were prepared to repel it, and the day which had opened so auspiciously ended in gloom. Details of stretcher-bearers plying their melancholy duty carried the wounded to the hospitals, and the dead swiftly to the long trenches.

June 15. Regiment was relieved from support of battery and marched leisurely back to our old camp near the front center. The men were almost entirely exhausted, but it was impossible to excuse them from duty, as all are in the same condition.

June 16. Received orders during the day calling for volunteers for another storming party of 1000 men.

June 17. Passed the night in the rifle pits. There was a very heavy rain early in the morning, filling the pits and making the situation very disagreeable. Order in regard to detail of one officer and twenty-five men for storming party countermanded, as more than the required number had volunteered.

June 18. Regiment supporting an Indiana battery, at the front, early in the morning having moved in to the rifle pits.

June 20. Sharpshooters are making things lively. There are rumors floating through the camps that Vicksburg has fallen. Regiment ordered to move into the rifle pits at dark.

June 21. Regiment occupied the rifle pits last night. The 2d Vermont Battery kept up a kind of intermittent firing. Regiment relieved at night and returned to the rear, bivouacking in the woods.

June 22. Election held in Co. B for vacant offices. Lieut. Merrill was elected Captain, receiving 16 votes to 15 for Lieut. Rollins; 1st Sergt. James S. Walsh was elected Second Lieutenant.

June 23. There has been considerable discussion of the vexing question of termination of service. There are very few officers left with the regiment, and the duty is very hard in consequence.

June 24. Lieut. Maginnis (who was wounded in the assault of the 27th of May) died of his wounds today.

June 26. Orders received to take the regiment to the rear and bivouac near Brigade Headquarters, and just at night ordered to relieve the 2d Louisiana in the advance rifle pits.

June 27. Col. Stone on the sick list. After being relieved from the rifle pits ordered to go to the left and support the 49th Massachusetts and 21st Maine, which we did, bivouacking at 11 o’clock P. M.

June 29. Heavy cannonading all night. An attempt was made a little to our left and front to capture an outpost of ours, but it failed; the rebs were repulsed, and it is said with a loss of 90 prisoners; cannot vouch for the truth of the rumor. Regiment ordered into the rifle pits to support Holcomb’s 2d Vermont Battery.

June 30. Were in the rifle pits near Holcomb’s Battery all night. There were sounds of a smart skirmish down on the extreme left, which continued about an hour. Col. Stone left today for Baton Rouge, sick.

July 1. Regiment bivouacking near Brigade Headquarters. Rebs made a raid into Springfield Landing, stampeding the guards and destroying a considerable amount of government stores.

July 2. Regiment has laid in the woods near Brigade Headquarters this forenoon. Near noon orders came to fall in to repel an attack from the rebs in the rear who had raided Springfield Landing and after destroying the government stores there were now on the march for Port Hudson. The “march to Port Hudson” proved to be a hoax, and the regiment was soon dismissed and at night went into the front rifle pits.

July 3. Regiment occupied the rifle pits, supporting Holcomb’s Battery. Rebel sharpshooters very active. Gen. Grover visited the battery this afternoon. He looks anxious and careworn. Relieved from rifle pits by the 116th New York.

July 4. National salute fired at sunrise with shotted guns. This is not our usual way of celebrating our National birthday. Regiment received orders to get into line prepared to make another assault. The “Forlorn Hope” was already in position at the front. The regiment stood in line many long and weary hours, anxiously awaiting the signal gun to commence the assault. For some reason the assault was not made, and after a tedious wait we were relieved and allowed to return to camp. Another salute with shotted guns was fired at noon by Nims’ Battery. A member of Co. E, who was captured from us on May 21st at Plains Store, escaped from Port Hudson today and came back to camp.

July 5. Gen. Banks has just passed up to the front with a flag of truce. Ordered into the rifle pits at night.

July 6. Passed the night in the rifle pits. The regiment is being rapidly decimated by hard duty and exposure to this terrible hot weather.

July 7. Two rebels came into headquarters from Port Hudson, and their accounts show that the garrison can hold out but a very short time.

Official news has been received from Gen. Grant that Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th. A gunboat came down river from that place early this morning bringing the news. Communication with the army was for some reason broken and it was quite late in the day before the message was delivered to Gen. Banks. It was at once communicated to the troops in the trenches; from man to man, from company to company, from regiment to regiment the word passed, and the cheers from the men rang out and the long silenced bands filled the forests with the strains of the “Star Spangled Banner,” “America,” “Yankee Doodle” and other patriotic music. Received orders for the 48th to occupy the rifle pits and support Holcomb’s 2d Vermont Battery tonight.

Before going on duty the Lieutenant-Colonel visited Gen. Augur’s headquarters, by his request, and was particularly instructed and cautioned as to his duty. He said, “You are going into the most important position on the line, and as the ranking officer on the brigade picket line you will be expected to exercise the greatest vigilance. The information we have leads us to expect that the enemy will offer to surrender or make an attempt to break out through our thin lines, and it is expected that you will be prepared for either or any emergency. Double your outer picket line, keep your men well in hand and allow none to sleep. If any attempt is made to break out it must be prevented at all hazards till reinforcements reach you, which you may feel assured will be pushed forward to your assistance at the first alarm, and you must check the attack at the hazard of your lives; two companies from another regiment will be ordered into the rifle pits to strengthen your line.” Regiment went into the rifle pits at about 9 o’clock in the evening.

July 8. The inevitable has happened! Port Hudson has fallen! Regiment laid quietly in rifle pits till shortly after 12 o’clock, midnight, the notes of a bugle were heard in our front sounding “a parley,” and a few seconds later an officer with a small escort approached, bearing a lantern fixed to a long pole, with a white handkerchief tied beneath it to serve as a flag of truce. At the outpost the flag was halted and its object ascertained, which was the delivery of a dispatch to Gen. Banks from Gen. Gardner, in command of the Confederate forces in Port Hudson, which was immediately dispatched to Gen. Banks’ headquarters by messenger. The dispatch contained a request for official assurance as to the truth of the report that Vicksburg had surrendered. If true, Gardner asked for a cessation of hostilities, with a view to consider terms of surrender of Port Hudson, and soon a blast upon a bugle brought back the little party of Confederates with the lantern swinging from the pole and the conference culminated in an agreement to surrender, and that a commission be appointed from each side to agree upon terms.

Looking Up River.]

Orders were immediately issued to cease firing all along the line and also from the fleet. Brig.-Gen. C. P. Stone, Col. Birge and Brig.-Gen. Dwight were designated by Gen. Banks as such commission. At 9 o’clock this morning the commissioners from both armies met just in front of our position, and nearly on the spot where Lieut.-Col. O’Brien had formed his men while waiting for the word on that eventful 27th of May. On the Confederate side the commissioners were Col. Miles, Col. Steedman, 1st Alabama, and Lieut.-Col. Smith, Chief of Artillery. Gen. Andrew was designated to receive the surrender, which it was finally decided should take place tomorrow morning, the 9th. The men of the 48th can feel with considerable satisfaction that through the carrying out of Col. Paine’s plan (to crowd the hard work of the siege onto the nine months regiments) they have been placed in a position where they can claim the honor of receiving the flag of truce which surrendered this great stronghold after so many weary and exciting weeks of fighting, digging and suffering. While the negotiations have been going on officers from some of the rebel regiments came over into our lines and fraternized with us as socially as though no state of war ever existed between the two sections of the country, and one officer expressed the wish that the war could now close and the North and South combine and whip out England; his reason being “that England had not recognized the independence of the Confederacy after the Trent affair.”

July 9. The 48th was in line promptly at 4.30 this morning, in accordance with orders, but was obliged to wait until nearly 10 o’clock before commencing to march into Port Hudson, en route for Donaldsonville, at which hour the 48th with the Massachusetts 49th and 21st Maine took up the line of march to the landing and embarked on board steamer “Louisiana Belle” late in the afternoon after the ceremony of surrender, which was very short. The rebels were drawn up in line with Gen. Gardner at their head, the right resting near the railroad station. When the command “ground arms” was given every man placed his musket upon the ground. It was a very affecting sight, and there was no man in the victorious army who did not experience a feeling of pity go out to the brave men who had been compelled to surrender after so long and so brilliant defense. Gen. Gardner tendered his sword to Gen. Andrews who declined to receive it. The rebel flag was hauled down from the flagstaff where it so defiantly floated through the siege. A salute was fired by the naval battery, the stars and stripes run up. The garrison filed off as prisoners of war, and all was over.

More than 6,000 rebels surrendered. The soldiers were paroled but the officers were held as prisoners of war. Twenty pieces of heavy artillery and more than 30 pieces of field artillery were captured. The loss of the 19th army corps during the siege has been nearly 5,000 men. No correct account has been made of the rebel loss, but an approximate calculation will give it as nearly 1,000, which, considering that their fighting has been entirely behind breastworks, is very heavy. Port Hudson is a very strong place and would have cost us many more men to have taken it by storm. As we steamed away from the landing and gazed at the bluffs and remembered the long weeks of waiting in front of its land batteries we could but take a long drawn sigh of relief. We shall no doubt soon be sent home. Home! Can any outside the army imagine what this word means to us who have lain so many weary weeks in the swamps of Louisiana, watching the lines of the enemy with the eyes of hungry wolves, dying by hundreds, by bullet, and shell, and disease. It means friends, comfort, life itself, in exchange for misery, squalor, dirt, a dog’s life, and death, and an unknown grave.

July 10. Reached Donaldsonville at 9 o’clock A. M. While on the passage down, and we were at breakfast, the steamer was fired on from the shore, but happily no one was hit. The shots were returned from the boat, but with what results of course we could not know, but we were not further molested.

After landing we made a reconnaissance till nearly dark when the regiment bivouacked for the night near the levee. The rebels have evidently drawn away their forces from the river and we shall probably have to seek them further inland.

July 11. False alarm in the night. Regiment fell in with arms, but were soon dismissed.

July 12. A steamer came up from New Orleans which shows that the blockade is raised, and the Mississippi river throughout its whole length is clear for the first time in two whole years.

July 13. Col. Paine’s brigade received orders while at breakfast to fall in and march to support Col. Dudley. Marched out several miles and halted to make preparations for dinner, there being no indications of being called into action very soon. Some were fortunate enough to dine early, their meal being very frugal, and hard tack and coffee constituted their principal fare, and a little green corn from the fields. We were startled by the rattle of musketry in our immediate front, and we were at once ordered into line and found that Dudley was engaged with the enemy and had been gradually driving them back until he came upon their main line, when he was in turn being slowly and obstinately forced back. Our brigade was now ordered to the front at “double quick” on the road parallel to the bayou, and soon ordered to file to the right into a little green plantation road or path, and halted, our left resting on the bayou road. In our front was a rail fence with a deep ditch at the side of the road; beyond the fence an open field of about 125 yards extent and beyond that an immense corn field. By the waving of the corn tops we could trace the movements of Dudley’s men and could see that they were slowly retreating and coming back gradually towards our line. The regiment was ordered to occupy the ditch at the side of the road. Very soon Dudley’s men made their appearance out of the corn, loading and firing as they fell slowly back. A more soldierly appearance could not have been made than was made by the regiment in our immediate front (the 161st New York. Col. Harrower,) as they retired, slowly, towards our line, turning and firing as they retreated. They came over the fence in our front and passed over us to our rear, where they laid down. The rebels followed them closely to the edge of the cornfield, and attempted to cross the open field in our front, but were immediately sent to the “right about” in some confusion, by the fire from the trusty rifles in the hands of the 48th boys who laid close to the ground, firing under the bottom rail in the fence, and the range being low the shots were very effective.

A short time previous, Col. Paine had taken the 49th out of their place in line, which was on our immediate right, leaving a gap in the brigade line which the 48th was directed to cover with an oblique fire, thus giving us double ground to cover. Col. Paine before leaving with the 49th came to Lieut.-Col. Stanwood and directed him to hold our ground at all hazards till his return.

The rebels tried several times to charge across the open field in our front, but were as often driven back by the steady fire from our men in the ditch.

While this was transpiring, the rebels had driven back the brigade on the opposite side of the bayou until their fire enfiladed the left of our brigade, and at the same time were rapidly flanking the whole force on our right which began to fall back, and in a short time we were left alone upon the field. A staff officer from Col. Dudley rode up and ordered the Lieutenant-Colonel to retire the regiment. His authority was not recognized, Lieut.-Col. Stanwood having received orders from our own brigade commander (Col. Paine) to hold the ground at all hazards until his return, which order he held himself bound to obey. Soon on looking to the right and left not a blue-coated soldier could be seen, and away to the right the rebel could be seen passing rapidly to the rear. On the opposite side of the bayou the fighting was going on far to our rear while from our front in the corn desultory shots came, viciously striking the fence rails above our heads. Feeling that in this case “discretion was the better part of valor” and not caring to be a second Casabianca, he directed the men to pass the word quietly down the line, without rising, and retire from their position as best they could, and rally in the rear on the colors.

This they did, and the rebs were so close that many of the men were captured before they had time to retire from the ditch! The 48th lost in killed, wounded and missing 65 out of a total 201 men engaged. Lieut. Wilson, Co. D, and Lieut. Bassett, Co. I, were taken prisoners. Lieut. Wilson was reported as also wounded.

The men after retiring from the ditch rallied in the rear, and later took their place in the line of the brigade in the rear and in a low swamp. A tremendous rain storm came up towards night flooding our camp.

July 14. Our camp is located in a low swamp and is completely inundated. The men are all thoroughly soaked to the skin. The day has been spent in bringing in the dead and wounded. Among the dead is Edward T. Bennett of Co. B.

July 15. Still in camp at Donaldsonville. Received dispatches from New Orleans, announcing a great victory in Pennsylvania by Gen. Meade’s army, on the 1st, 2d and 3d days of July. The first week in July has been a week of tremendous importance to the Union cause--Vicksburg-Port Hudson, and now this great victory of Gen. Meade’s at Gettysburg--three names long to be remembered in American history. We hear that Col. Stone has recovered his horse which was captured from him at the battle of Plains Store, May 21.

July 16. Regiment received orders to change camp to the rear to secure higher ground, by which move the 48th has secured the best location in the brigade line. There are all sorts of rumors in regard to going home. Suppose that some of them may be true and expect that now that Port Hudson has been taken that we shall be sent home before long. Received word from Baton Rouge that Joseph B. Hale of Co. B died in the hospital there today.

July 17. All prisoners taken from us on the 13th have been paroled, and have returned to camp today having marched from Thibodaux. They say that the rebs had less than a thousand men on our side of the bayou in the battle, and our defeat was all owing to bad generalship on the part of our commanding officers.

July 18. Daniel F. Connell of Co. B who was taken prisoner on the 13th, came back to camp today, having been paroled, and walked from the rebel camp (which he thinks is nearly 100 miles from here) with one hardtack and a little corn meal for his rations during the march.

He thinks there are from 10,000 to 20,000 rebels between Donaldsonville and Thibodaux, with considerable artillery. A continued discussion of the question of “going home” now principally occupies the time of the men.

July 21. Capt. Bainbridge, a U. S. army officer, came to camp today and the Lieutenant-Colonel at once went before him and was mustered out as captain and immediately mustered in as Lieutenant-Colonel.

July 22. Capt. Schoff, Lieut. Morrison with a detail of thirty-three men went foraging at 4.30 this morning and returned at 3 P. M. having gone out about nine miles and obtained a large amount of corn. The regiment is now nearly destitute of commissioned officers.

July 23. The glorious news from Gen. Meade’s army confirmed. Gen. Lee entirely defeated at Gettysburg, Penn., and driven back into Virginia. Our friends at home have by this time heard of our victory at Port Hudson and will be now looking for our return. Heavy thunder showers today.

July 24. Paymaster Maj. Palmer arrived at 7.30 o’clock A. M. and proceeded to pay off the regiment, which feat was accomplished at noon. Maj. Palmer informs us that the campaign is over and the men are being sent home as fast as transportation can be furnished.

July 25. Alarm in the night caused by the pickets firing into some old horse or mule.

July 26. Col. Love, 116th New York, in command of the brigade during Col. Paine’s absence.

July 27. Very quiet in camp last night.

July 29. Regiment received drums today, and resumed regular dress parades which have been greatly interfered with during the siege of Port Hudson and during the stay here in Donaldsonville.

July 30. The camp here at Donaldsonville is evidently breaking up; some of the troops are on the move at daylight. Gen. Weitzel’s old brigade has marched for Thibodaux. We are still kept on the “ragged edge” all the time looking for orders to start for Baton Rouge and home.

July 31. Orders have been received at headquarters for our removal to Baton Rouge, as soon as transportation can be furnished. At 11.30 o’clock this forenoon orders were received to prepare to move immediately. Several steamers have come and gone but none for us as yet, which is very tantalizing.

August 1. Steamer “Kepper” arrived and the 48th immediately went on board as also the 49th. Quarters were very much crowded and the men have suffered intensely on the hot deck during the passage up the river to Baton Rouge where we arrived just before dark. Disembarked with military precision.

August 2. Glad to get to our old quarters which seems something like home. During the night some of the men were jubilantly celebrating their return and became over-boisterous. The chaplain’s tent caught fire from some mysterious cause and burned down. Col. Stone, although having left the regiment when in front of Port Hudson, and remained in Baton Rouge since that time on the sick list, took command of the regiment at once.

August 3. Col. Stone decided that he is able to take command of the regiment. How little we anticipated when we left Baton Rouge in May what changes would take place before we should return in August--Lieut.-Col. O’Brien and so many other brave and good men gone.

August 4. The Colonel has reported for duty. Orders have been received for an inspection of the regiment which at this time looks much like going home.

August 5. Our old parade ground which we used when we first came to Baton Rouge does not look at all familiar. The 49th Regiment has received orders to take transportation for New Orleans at once.

August 6. We are expecting every moment to get orders to start for home, and the delay is very vexatious.

August 7. Received orders to start for home by way of the Mississippi river and Cairo, Ill. (and in consequence we are all feeling happy), as soon as transportation can be secured.

August 8. The men are all busily engaged cleaning up guns and equipments to turn over before going home. Home! how pleasant the sound, when it means so much to us who have for so long a time been deprived of all the comforts of home.

August 9. Inspection came off this morning at 7 o’clock and everything was found in “spick and span” condition. Notice has been received that the steamer is awaiting us at the landing, and we have turned in all ordnance and ordnance stores, surplus clothing, camp and garrison equipage and are now on board steamer “Sunny South” ready for the start.

August 10. Steamer started up river at 3 o’clock this morning and arrived opposite Port Hudson at sunrise. Our passing of the batteries was much more quietly accomplished than was Commodore Farragut’s last March. The scenery on the Mississippi River is very monotonous and tame. Have passed only one little village today. Fort Adams passed at 3 o’clock P. M. The men are suffering terribly from heat on the “burning deck.” At 10 P. M. arrived at Natchez. Since coming to Louisiana we have been using New Orleans horse car tickets and postage stamps for change.

August 11. We left Natchez at 5 P. M. The bluffs here at Natchez are 150 feet in height. The city is very prettily situated. Passed village of Washington on the left at 10.30 A. M.; Passed Gen. Taylor’s plantation at 11.30 A. M.; Grand Gulf at 3 P. M.--a very strong place. Passed wreck of Indianola at sunset. Arrived at Vicksburg soon after 11 o’clock at night.

August 12. Passed head of the celebrated Vicksburg canal at 11.15 A. M. Passed Millican’s Bend at 2 o’clock P. M. Steamer “Tempest” with the 49th Massachusetts on board has passed up.

August 13. Passed Napoleon Ark at the mouth of the Arkansas River about 9 o’clock.

August 14. Arrived at Helena, Ark., at 1.30 P. M. Stopped to coal till 4 o’clock and went on shore to stretch our legs during the stay. It is a very strong natural fortification, and many artificial works have been erected in addition. Two men were drowned attempting to come on board.

August 15. Arrived at Memphis at about 6 o’clock A. M. Left at 11.30 P. M.

August 16. Steamer ran aground and stuck fast for hours; reached Gayoso Landing at 4 P. M.

One must travel on the Mississippi River to get any idea of its greatness. Here we go puffing along, day after day, and night after night, and we wake up every morning and the same grand old river stretches away before us.

The distances on the Mississippi River are as follows: Passes to New Orleans, 125 miles; New Orleans to Baton Rouge, 130; Baton Rouge to Port Hudson, 30; Port Hudson to Natchez, 100; Natchez to Vicksburg, 140; Vicksburg to Memphis, 360; Memphis to Cairo, 240; total 1125 miles.

August 17. Arrived opposite Columbus, Kentucky, at 8 A. M. when the steamer was brought to by a shot across her bows from the Battery at this point. Arrived at Cairo, Ill., at 10 A. M. While stopping here there has been some trouble with some of the more turbulent men on account of their not being allowed to go on shore.

August 18. At 10 o’clock A. M. commenced changing baggage from the steamer to the cars which occupied the time till about dark when the regiment went on board the cars and run out about 20 miles to a station called Wetaug, arriving a little before midnight and stopped till daylight. The delay is very tedious and vexatious. We are going home and trains going to the front have the right of way and so we are side-tracked to await their passing.

August 20. Still dragging slowly along. Arrived at Indianapolis, Ind., at 11 o’clock A. M. Regiment marched to the Soldiers’ Home where a bountiful collation was furnished by the people of the city. James H. Short of Co. B, who was very sick when we left Baton Rouge, was left here in the hospital, he not being able to travel further.

August 21. Arrived at Gallion, Ohio, at 6 o’clock A. M. Could get nothing to eat on arrival, being at so early an hour. Reached Crestline at 6.30 A. M.; Cleveland at noon. Here we met with a very kind reception from the citizens with a good dinner; also the same repeated at Erie, Penn. Reached Buffalo at 9.30 P. M. and received another splendid reception with collation. Here we changed cars and started for Albany at about midnight.

August 22. Arrived at Utica at 10.30 A. M. and were tendered another fine collation spread at the side of the track. Continued on for Albany where we arrived about 4 o’clock P. M.; went at once to the ferry and cars en route for Boston at sunset. Made good time and arrived at Springfield, Mass., at midnight. Here a few minutes were allowed to obtain lunch for which we had to pay a good round price--the first which has cost us a cent since leaving Cairo, and some considerable comment has been made that Massachusetts should be the first to ask her returning soldiers to pay for their rations.

August 23. Arrived in Boston without further incidents at 7.30 A. M. Marched to the Beach Street Barracks where we were served a government ration (which did not compare favorably with the food served out to us by the citizens of the cities and towns through which we have passed on our way home) after which the men were furloughed till September 3, then to report at our old Camp Lander at Wenham to be mustered out.

September 3. Regiment reported at Camp Lander, Wenham, and were mustered out. Casualties during the campaign: Killed and died of wounds, 23; wounded, 73; died of disease, 40; total, 136.

Maj.-Gen. Christopher C. Augur was in command of the 1st Division, 19th Army Corps, to which the 48th Massachusetts was attached and served its whole term of service.

He was born in New York, but was appointed to West Point from Michigan; graduated 16th in the class of 1843 (in which class Gen. Grant was the 21st). He served in the Mexican war with credit, and at the breaking out of the Rebellion was given a commission of Brigadier-General of Volunteers Nov. 12, 1861; was in command of a Division under Gen. Banks in the Shenandoah Valley, and was wounded severely at Cedar Mountain, receiving therefor a brevet of Colonel in the Regular Army; was promoted to Major-General of Volunteers, Aug. 9, 1862, and assigned to the command of the left wing of the army before Port Hudson, retired as full Brigadier-General in the Regular Army in 1885.

Colonel Edward P. Chapin, who commanded the 1st Brigade in Gen. Augurs Division, of which the 48th Massachusetts constituted a part, was the Colonel of the 116th New York. He was a very able and efficient officer, and it was expected that he would rise to advanced rank, but was killed in the desperate assault on Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, and thus the army and the country lost the services of a very promising officer. He was succeeded in the command of the Brigade by Col. Charles J. Paine of the 2d Louisiana Infantry, who remained in command during the remainder of the 48th’s term, and subsequently received the brevets of Brigadier and Major-General of Volunteers.

The regiment, as finally made up, represented all classes. It contained recruits from the best old New England families in Essex and Middlesex, and from emigrants recently from foreign countries. A good example of the former was the late Samuel Hoar of Concord (son of the late Judge E. Rockwood Hoar and nephew of the late Senator George F. Hoar), who left college to enlist as a private soldier in Company E, and who served the full term, then re-entered and graduated at Harvard College. He subsequently became a very able lawyer and distinguished citizen. He died April 11th, 1904, aged 59 years.

Col. Eben F. Stone was a man of high character and standing in the community in which he lived, and that had much to do with his selection to command the regiment. As time went on he failed somewhat as a tactician, and the regiment was at a disadvantage on this account, although he could have passed an excellent examination in tactics. He was a brave officer and well liked by the officers and soldiers of his regiment. Colonel Stone, after the war, made an honorable record in the civil service of the government. He served two years in the State Senate and two terms in Congress.

Lieut.-Col. O’Brien was regarded as a good officer and brave to the degree of recklessness.

Capt. Stanwood earned the promotion which he received by a unanimous election as Lieutenant-Colonel by able, faithful, and patriotic services.

Dr. Yorick G. Hurd was one of the best surgeons of the Civil War. The death rate from sickness in our regiment was less than in any other in the Department, and that was due in great part to the faithful, conscientious, and untiring services of Dr. Hurd. He had not a lazy bone in his body. After the war he rendered good services in the military and civil service of the State. He was medical director of the Division on the Staff of General B. F. Butler, with rank of Colonel, from 1867 to 1876. He served two years in the State Senate. He did for many years excellent service as Master of the House of Correction and Superintendent of the Insane Asylum at Ipswich.

Capt. Edgar J. Sherman (of the same family of Roger Sherman and General William T. Sherman), enlisted as a private soldier and was subsequently elected Captain of Company F.

When the regiment advanced on Port Hudson he was in the hospital sick of malarial fever. Hearing of the affair of Plains Store, the Captain, somewhat relieved of the fever but weak and emaciated, decided to join the regiment. The surgeons tried to induce him to remain a while longer, but not succeeding in this, gave orders forbidding it. The next morning the Captain put on his uniform, left the hospital, and took the early steamer for Springfield Landing. There he was met by the surgeons who called him a “walking ghost,” and ordered him back to Baton Rouge. The Captain said he was not going on duty but only to visit the surgeon of his regiment and he was allowed to proceed.

He was there several days, remaining with Dr. Hurd, when he learned that there was to be a charge on the enemy’s works the next day. He at once determined to go on duty. The Colonel and surgeon advised against it, withholding their consent, the doctor saying, “Captain, if you go into this fight and are not killed, your fever will come back and you will leave your bones in Louisiana.” Capt. Sherman made the long march that night, with the aid of his soldiers, and led his two companies which carried the colors in the charge next day. When the charge did not succeed and the order came to get off the field, the Captain finally reached the ravine on the left, and was subsequently carried on a stretcher to the rear. Dr. Hurd found him exhausted, with the fever returning, and ordered him sent at once to the hospital at Baton Rouge.

At Baton Rouge, La., 1863.]

Just as the Captain was being put into the ambulance he said to Dr. Hurd, “It is too bad about poor Captain Todd; he went down right in front of me and we went right on over his dead body.” “Not by a d---- sight!” said the Doctor. “I took an old broken French bayonet three inches long out of his mouth and he is all right.”

Captain Sherman was seriously and dangerously ill for some time, and it was feared that the Doctor’s prophecy might become true,--that the Captain would “leave his bones in Louisiana,” but he recovered sufficiently to return home with the regiment.

Officers and men were so much needed at the time that Captain Sherman’s disobedience of the order “not to leave the hospital” was condoned, and upon the recommendation of his superior officers, he was brevetted Major “for gallant and meritorious services.”

Major Sherman subsequently served in the military and civil services of the State. In 1864, at the time of General Early’s raid on Washington, he raised a company for one hundred days and was elected its Captain, and the company became Company K of the 6th Regiment.

He served as Assistant Adjutant General, with the rank of Colonel, and as Chief of Staff of the Division, General B. F. Butler’s, from 1867 to 1876. He served fourteen years as District Attorney for Essex County, five years as Attorney General, and now a Justice of the Superior Court, where he has served since 1887.

Capt. J. Scott Todd was an excellent officer, always faithful to every duty.

He was wounded and disabled in the charge on June 14. The enemy were short of ammunition and they used broken iron. An old piece of a French bayonet three inches long struck him in the mouth, knocking out his upper and under front teeth, cutting his tongue in two, its full length, and finally embedded itself in the roof of his mouth. The blow was so severe that the Captain lay on the field stunned and unconscious for a long time. With assistance he finally reached the rear and the doctor removed the iron and he was soon in condition for duty.

After the war the Captain did honorable service in the civil government of the State. He served two years in the State Senate. He also served for many years as a Trial Justice.

The following is taken from Hanson’s History of the Sixth Regiment:

“Company K, Capt. Edgar J. Sherman, Lawrence.

“This company was a new one, raised mostly in Lawrence upon the call of the Governor for five thousand one hundred days men. Recruiting commenced on the 11th day of July, the company was filled on the 12th, went into camp on the 13th, was mustered into service on the 14th and on the 15th and 16th the men were clothed, armed and equipped throughout and ready to move on the 17th--just six days after the first movement was made.

“Captain Sherman, says the Lawrence American (edited by Captain Merrill, who was at Port Hudson in the Fourth Regiment), under extraordinary difficulties, raised a company of nine months men, enlisting himself as a private, from which he was promoted to a Captaincy, and, as we personally know, no braver or more faithful officer has left our city. Always attentive to the needs of his men, and even when weak and emaciated with sickness, as we saw him at Port Hudson (in the 48th Massachusetts) leaving the hospital, against the positive prohibition of the surgeon, to lead his men in the assault. He was brevetted Major for ‘gallant and meritorious services.’”

ADDENDA

Col. Eben Francis Stone was Massachusetts representative in the Forty-ninth Congress, serving from 1881 to 1887. He died Jan. 22, 1895.

Capt. Edgar J. Sherman has for several years been Judge of the Massachusetts Superior Court.

Chaplain S. J. Spalding died Jan. 10, 1892.

Surgeon Yorick G. Hurd died Sept. 24, 1888. For several years he was superintendent of the House of Correction at Ipswich.

Major George Wheatland was detailed on the Court Martial on March 6, 1863. He was with the regiment when not engaged with the Court Martial daily until May 8, 1863. He was then detailed on General Augur’s staff and made Provost Judge of the department until relieved July 16, 1863, with accounts settled and orders to report in Boston.

Capt. J. Scott Todd died Jan. 26, 1902.

THE ROSTER

PREFACE TO THE ROSTER