Diary of Corporal David L. Day: January 25, 1862

THE STORM OVER.

The storm is at last over, for to-day at least. It has cleared off warm and pleasant, and is the first bright day since we came here. Business is brisk to-day; all is bustle and hurry. There is quite a change of scene, the boats’ decks are covered with soldiers, shouting and cheering each other; the bands are all out playing, and altogether it is quite a contrast to the miserable life we have been living. Our attention is taken up watching the operations going on in the harbor, among the shipping. Steamers are being towed across the swash into the sound, and steamers and tugs are at work straining every nerve to pull off the boats that are ashore. It makes fun for the boys watching them pull. Five or six steamers and tugs are at work trying to pull off the Eastern Queen, on which are the 4th Rhode Island boys, and when they all pull together it seems as though they would pull her in two. Sometimes she seems to start a little, and then stick again; the boats will give a steady pull for an hour before she will start again. Occasionally a big cable will break, and it is fun to watch the agility of the boys, dodging the recoil of the cable ends.

The big steamer Northerner attempted to cross the sound at flood tide this morning, and stuck in the middle. She carries the 21st Massachusetts, and I think they will have to be taken off before she can get across. A number of boats and tugs are at work, trying to pull her across. If the Northerner sticks, going across at high water, how we are to cross is a problem yet to be solved, as the New York draws six inches more water than the Northerner.

SICK HORSES.

The horses do not appear to stand hardships and privations as well as the men. On short feed, condensed sea water, with no exercise, they grow sick and debilitated. A schooner is lying but a short distance from us, with a deck-load of horses, belonging to a Rhode Island battery, and they are jumping them overboard, and swimming them ashore. It is curious to observe the horses as they are led up to the gangway; to see them brace themselves back and shudder to take the fearful leap. But a little encouragement from half a dozen men in their rear pushing them, over they go, and as they come up out of the water, they shake their heads and snort, and put for the nearest land, where they are rubbed dry, blanketed and led off up the island.

ACROSS THE SWASH.

The Northerner has crossed into the sound, and anchored. As she got off and moved into the sound, cheer after cheer went up from all the fleet, the bands playing and all having a big time generally.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 27-8

Diary of Corporal David L. Day: January 6, 1862

Reveille beat at 6 o'clock this morning, and all hands turned out in the midst of a driving snow storm, elated at the prospect of getting away. I cannot say I was very exuberant in spirit as there was work in it and things began to look like a reality. An hour or so sufficed to pick up our traps and load our camp equipage on the wagons, drink a cup of hot coffee and declare ourselves ready to march. The companies were formed in their company streets; the rolls called, and we marched out on the parade ground and formed the regimental line. Col. Upton said he should like to fire a few rounds as a parting salute to old Camp Hicks, and gave the order to load. The firing over, there came the order, “By companies right wheel! forward march!” and we turned our backs on our old home. Passing the camp of the 27th Massachusetts, we halted, and, wheeling into line, honored them with a salute of a few rounds, which was responded to with hearty cheers. We then marched to the Naval academy, where seven companies, with the field and staff, their horses, band and all the camp equipage, went aboard the steamer New York. Two companies, D and H, went aboard the gunboat Zouave, and company I aboard the schooner Skirmisher. All aboard, the New York steamed out into the harbor a short distance and anchored till further orders.

AN INCIDENT.

A little incident here occurred showing the good nature of Col. Upton. While waiting for the baggage to be got aboard, a small party of us thought we would go up to the academy grounds, and see the 4th Rhode Island boys who had just arrived. We had not been there fifteen minutes before we saw the boat leaving the wharf, and the way we put for it was a caution to travelers a little too late for the cars. We readied the wharf all out of breath, and the first man we saw was Col. Upton. He appeared a little cross at first, and then putting on one of his good-natured looks, asked us where we had been. We replied we had been up to see the Rhode Island boys. “Well,” he said, “yonder goes the boat, what are you going to do?” Some one suggested that under the circumstances we had better stand by the colonel and take our chances. “Ah!” he replied, “I will soon have you fellows where I shall know where to find you.” He then procured a boat and crew, told us to get aboard and put for the steamer. As we pushed away from the wharf, we left the colonel standing there, looking as good-natured and happy as though it was Sunday afternoon and he had just heard a good sermon.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 17-8

Charles Eliot Norton to George William Curtis, September 23, 1862

Shady Hill, 23 September, 1862.^l

My Dearest George: — God be praised! I can hardly see to write, — for when I think of this great act of Freedom, and all it implies, my heart and my eyes overflow with the deepest, most serious gladness.

I rejoice with you. Let us rejoice together, and with all the lovers of liberty, and with all the enslaved and oppressed everywhere.

I think to-day that this world is glorified by the spirit of Christ. How beautiful it is to be able to read the sacred words under this new bight.

“He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

The war is paid for.

Dearest George, I was very glad to see that your brother was safe, and to hear of his gallantry in the late actions.²

Love and congratulations from us all to all of you.

Ever yours

C. E. N.

¹ The day after Lincoln read the Emancipation Proclamation to his Cabinet.

² At Antietam, where Lieutenant J. B. Curtis's regiment was cut to pieces and driven back, he seized the colours, and shouted, “I go back no further! What is left of the Fourth Rhode Island, form here!” For the rest of the day he fought as a private in an adjoining command. See Cary's Curtis. p. 161 n.

SOURCE: Sara Norton and  M. A. DeWolfe Howe, Letters of Charles Eliot Norton, Volume 1, p. 256-7

The Capture of Fort Macon

NEW YORK, May 3.

A special to the Tribune, giving an account of the capture of Fort Macon, says the fire of our batteries dismounted 13 guns and tore up the glacis and ramparts in the most effective manner.  Of 1,100 shots and shell thrown by them at the fort 560 struck the work.  The guns of the Fort were worked with skill and courage, but the hind hills of our position afforded complete protection to the men, and the hoisting of the white flag was followed by a conference with Gen. Parks [sic], and a suspension of hostilities until the following morning.  During the night the proposition to surrender was communicated to Gen. Burnside and in the morning articles of agreement were signed, and the garrison surrendered as prisoners of war, but were released on parole, and were allowed to take their private effects with them; the officers retained their side arms.  These were the terms originally proposed by Gen. Parks, but refused by Col. White, commandant of the fort.

The surrender of Fort Macon gives Gen. Burnside a port of entry with secure anchorage for his heaviest vessels.  It gives the Government another of the stolen fortifications with 50 guns, and 20,000 pounds of powder, with shot and shell in proportion, 400 stand of arms, and a large store of provisions, 420 prisoners and 30 horses.  It releases a portion of the blockading fleet for service elsewhere, and insures the retention of the district.

Gen. Burnside, in a general order congratulating Gen. Park on his victory, commands that the name “Fort Macon” be inscribed on the colors of the 4th and 5th R. I. regiments and the 8th Conn. Regiment.  The command of the fort was offered to Capt. Lewis Morris, 1st artillery, after the surrender, but declined and Col. Rodman, of the 4th R. I., was placed in charge.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Fire in New York --- Investment of Beaufort

NEW YORK, April 10. – Last night a fire broke out in the five story marble building, No 69 Duane street, the premises of David Sterritt & Co., importers of laces and embroideries.  The entire building and its contents were destroyed.  Sterritt & Co.’s loss is supposed to be $50,000.  The first floor was occupied by Hoffman, Place & Co., dealers in gentleman’s furnishing goods.  The greater part of the stock was removed.  Loss about $5,000; said to be insured.  Loss on the building about $20,000.

The Times’ Beaufort letter of March 31st says Lieut. Hoxton, from Chippewa, landed yesterday and had an interview with Major Allen touching the arrangements for the capture of the Fort.

A guard from the Rhode Island 4th crossed over on Saturday and Sunday, taking possession of the beach south west of Fort Macon, and cutting off the communication with the cattle on which Colonel White has drawn heretofore for his supplies of fresh beef.  Thus, step by step, the fortification is surrounded by our forces and final attack will not be long delayed.

Guards have been placed aboard the British ships Reliance and Condor, found at Beaufort loaded with rosin and turpentine.

Since the conflagration after the battle at Newbern it is reported that some seven thousand barrels of spirits of turpentine have been consumed in this vicinity.  About 10,000 barrels are now loading for New York.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3

Occupation of Beaufort

NEW YORK, April 10. – A letter to the Times from Beaufort, North Carolina, Dated the 31st of March, says that a detachment from General Parker’s Brigade, consisting of the Rhode Island 4th and 8th Connecticut, crossed to Beaufort on Tuesday night.  In the day time their passage would have been disputed by the Fort, but they landed and entered the town without opposition or without finding so much as a guard to challenge their approach.

In the morning the citizens found their houses were guarded by Union troops, and the town in their possession.  The visit, however, was by no means a surprise.  The head men came out and met Major Allen, and tendered to him and his troops the freedom of the city.  They were invited to their houses, and every evidence of good will was exhibited by the people towards the new comers.  On the whole, their reception was courteous and gratifying.  They declared they had never given their adhesion to the rebel government, and were good Union men.

Large numbers have daily come to the Major’s Headquarters to take the oath of allegiance.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3

Beaufort, N. C., occupied

NEW YORK, April 10.

A letter to the Times, from Beaufort N. C., 31^st, says a detachment from General Parker’s brigade, consisting of the R. I. 4^th and Conn. 8^th, crossed to Beaufort on Tuesday night.  In the day time their passage would have been disputed by the fort. – They landed in the town without opposition, or without finding so much as a guard to challenge their approach.  In the morning the citizens found their houses well guarded by Union troops, and the town in their possession.  The visit, however, was by no means ill taken, the head men came out and met Maj. Allen, and tendered to him and his troops the freedom of the city.

They were invited to their houses, and every evidence of good will was exhibited by the people towards the new comers.  On the whole their reception was courteous and gratifying.  They declared they had never given their adhesion to the rebel government and were good Union men.  Large numbers have daily come to the Mayor’s headquarters to take the oath of allegiance.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 11, 1862, p. 2

Fire in New York, - Later from Burnside

NEW YORK, April 10.

Last night a fire broke out in a five story marble building, No. 69, Duane St., premises of David Stimmitt & Co., importers of lace and embroidery.  The entire building and its contents were destroyed.  Stimitt & Co’s. loss supposed to be $50,000.  The first floor was occupied by Hoffman, Place & Co., dealers in gents furnishing goods; the greater part of the stock was removed.  Loss, about $5,000, said to be insured.  Loss on the building about $20,000.

The Times’ Beaufort letter of March 31^st also says: Lieut. Hoxton from the Chippewa landed yesterday and had an interview with Major Allen, touching the arrangements for the capture of the fort.  A guard from the R. I. 4^th crossed over on Saturday and Sunday taking possession of the beach southwest of Fort Macon, and cutting off all communication with the cattle, on which Col. White has drawn heretofore for his supplies of fresh beef.  Thus step by step the fortification is surrounded by our forces and a final attack will not be long delayed.

Guards have been placed aboard the British ships Reliance and Condor, found at Beaufort laden with rosin and turpentine.

Since the conflagration after the battle at Newbern, it is reported that some 7,000 barrels of spirits of turpentine have been consumed in this vicinity.  About 10,000 barrels are now loading for N. Y.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 11, 1862, p. 1