Saturday night I went on board the Ben Deford with the
General to visit Folly and Morris Islands. Col. J——, Major B——, Capt. R—— and F——
were in the party. In the morning we were at Pawnee Landing, Folly River. We
mounted and rode to Gen’l Terry’s headquarters; saw model of Fort Wagner. Terry
joined Gilmore and we went up the beach to Light House Inlet; saw the scene of
the crossing by Shaw; crossed and went in ambulances to Wagner; spent some time
there. From Wagner walked up to Gregg, leaving our ambulance. Saw the mortar
batteries before getting there. From Gregg had a good view of Fort Sumter — silent
as the grave—flag flying over it — a great flag flying over the battery on
Sullivan's Island. The city, too, was spread out before us like a map;
everything very silent; a ship lying silent at the wharf. No sign of life in
Ripley, Johnson or Pinckney.
SOURCES: Clara B. Hay, Letters of John Hay and
Extracts from Diary, Volume 1, p. 157-8; William Roscoe Thayer, John Hay: In Two Volumes, Volume 1, p.
158-9.
