March 18.
This morning a
message came in by flag of truce from Camp Finnegan, giving us 24 hours to send
out the women and children to the brick church, where the skirmish was
yesterday, and their teams will meet them there.1 The message was
signed by Lieut. Col. [A. H.] McCormick. This afternoon another came from Col.
[Duncan L.] Clinch [of the Southern army] repeating the former and adding that
we should be held responsible for what might happen to those left in town. This
looks as if they intend to approach the town with artillery and set it on fire
with shells. This is feasible, in spite of our gunboats. If there is any pluck
in them the attempt will be made. Many of our officers think the message a mere
flourish for intimidation, but I do not and shall hold myself in readiness to
send my sick and wounded to the steamer at short notice. Meanwhile we look for
reinforcements by the Boston. Her delay is unaccountable.
Owing to hard fare
and excessive fatigue, several of our officers are quite out of health. I am
satisfied that the blacks have too much credit for good cooking. I have yet to
find one who knows how to make bread or cook meat. If we hold this town we
shall have a "post" and good bread, getting rid of the villainous
fried dough which is bringing dysentery into camp.
1 It was the Brick Yard Church. The order is
in 1 Records of the Rebellion, XIV. 839.
SOURCE: Proceedings
of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Volume 43, October, 1909—June,
1910: February 1910. p. 376-7
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