Headquarters Second Mass. Inf'y,
Purysburg, S. C, January 25, 1865.
On the 17th, we broke camp, and after some delay crossed the
Savannah River (i. e., our division), and marched about eight miles into South
Carolina, camping at night in the old camps of the Third Division. The next day
we marched at twelve, noon, and accomplished seven miles more. The 19th, we
started at nine A. M., marched through Hardeeville, and camped at Purysburg, on
the river. The march was over a very bad road, overflowing in some places to a
depth of two feet. About noon, the rain began to fall in torrents, and it
became evident, even then, that forward movements would be suspended for a
time. Late in the afternoon the gunboat Pontiac came up the river, convoying
the transport R. E. Lee (late rebel), loaded with rations.
The 20th, 21st, 22d and 23d, it rained almost incessantly,
flooding the whole country about us, so that it was possible almost to row a
boat over the road we had marched, back to Savannah. The corduroying was washed
away, and the pontoon bridge broken; part of our train was cut off and had to
return to Savannah. Of course all movement was stopped, and we set to work to
make ourselves as comfortable as possible. By a system of very extensive
ditchings, I managed to get the camp on comparatively dry ground. We had quite
easy communication with our base by the river, so that supplies were received
without difficulty.
Yesterday I rode back to Hardeeville and called on General
Coggswell. I found him very pleasantly situated. He has a good staff. I believe
that, if he has time and opportunity, he will have the best brigade in this
army; his faculty for commanding is very great, and he is interested in his
work.
I am very much in hopes that my application for conscripts
will do some good. I put it pretty strong, and I think got a good endorsement
from General Slocum, and I hope from Sherman. The fact that we have never yet
received a single drafted man under any call, ought to go a great ways; the
oldness of the organization, its small numbers, and its being the only veteran
Massachusetts regiment in Sherman's army, ought to do the rest. I am glad to
see that the Provost Marshal General has ordered that no recruits be received
for any but infantry commands. With all these things in my favor I shall expect
to receive, at the end of this campaign, at least eight hundred good men, all
of the best moral character and warranted not to desert for at least three days
after assignment.
What a delightful proof of Butler's unfitness for command
was General Terry's gallant and successful assault of Fort Fisher. Grant's
letter transmitting the official reports was one of the best snubs I ever read.
SOURCE: Charles Fessenden Morse, Letters Written
During the Civil War, 1861-1865, p. 207-9
