February 12, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:
     February 12, 1862. Wednesday. Did not come in sight of land yesterday, but about 7 o'clock to-day made Chandler's Light, and soon after saw shipping in the distance, which proved to be at Ship Island. When we were within half a mile distance, our regimental flags were displayed and the starboard and port guns were fired. Large numbers were on the beach, anxious to have an interview. The island is not as barren a place as I expected, although it is sandy where the encampment is. We weighed anchor and the boats put off for the shore. Colonel Butler came aboard. As soon as orders came, I had to spring and work the rest of the day, getting the tents ashore. Father came aboard towards night; he looks fleshy and sports a moustache. The troops were all landed during the afternoon and the tents were pitched. I went ashore in the evening. Father has a little wooden shanty which he occupies for sleeping and storing goods. His clerk stays with him. I remained with father all night and went aboard in the morning and worked all day, discharging cargo.
 

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     February 12-Wednesday
     8 A.M. Land ho Chan de Seur Islands in right this is a chain of Islands that run out from the Main land some 20 or 25 miles in length.
     8 ½ Ship Island in full view a it appears from this distance like a huge snow drift fully inhabited there is a large amount of Shipping around it and to my eyes from this distance it looks quit pleasing to my eyes.
     Came into the harbor about 11 O.C. A.M. Col. Jones came on board & was as pleased to see us as if we had risen from the dead. it seems us through they had completely given us up.
     3 O Clock P.M. disembarked had my first ride on a Missippi flier boat a prize taken from the rebels a huge clumsy looking affair side wheels and an independence boiler for each wheel.
     Lieut Lamson of the 26 Reg’t came down and invited us that is Capt Shipely and me, Lieut. up to supper with him we had a fine supper of hard tack and salt jawh mixed with Sardines a rarity indeed.


Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:

     Wednesday, February 12, 1862

     Another fine morn men all

     In good spirits and anxious to get

     At the end of our voyage saw a

     Large number of birds such as

     Gannetts Gulls Pelicans & others

     About 8 Ock made land on our

     Starboard bow.  appeared to be an

     Island with a lighthouse on it

     Next about 9 Ock made land on

[Mem]

     our starboard bow which proved

     To be Ship Island.  Dropt anchor

     Opposite the island.  we had 3 Rows-

     ing cheers from those onshore.

     There is a large number of

     Vessels of all kinds here in the

     Harbor.  We left the good Ship

     About noon and landed at

     The wharfe where i met some

     Old friends as soon as i landed

     I went on a tramp up to the

     26th Mass and the 9th Conn when

     I got back Uncle Ben was

     After me and very glad to see me

     He began to think we was

     Not coming.  I went and took

     Dinner of Soft Bread & Soup.

     The boys were very glad to

     See me and like to have shook

     My arms off.  this is altogether

     A different place from what

     I expected to find.  it is all

     Sand with no grass trees or

     Anything green but soldiers

     This afternoon we pitched our

     Tents and went to housekeeping

     They have a kind of fort here

     Called fort Massachusetts the

     4th Battery quarter here.