March 30, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     March 30-Sunday

     An awful hot sultry and oppressive morning at 9 or a little [---] it cleared was a little and is the warmest day we have had since we have been here.

     Review and Inspection by Brg’dr Gen Shepley. pass in review about one mile March. Wm. B. Smith had to be carried to Quarters. had a sort if a faint brought on but the heat. got better very soon. Inspection by Comp. Commanders on parade ground  and march Comp to Quarters.

     The first Brigade commence to embark to day are going some where but no one knows just where it is. Except there at Head Quarters. Capt Brown Sappers & Miners go with them.

     A Steamer or rather two Steamer passed just in sight of here with Rebel soldiers on board towards N. Orleans, the New London put after them but did not succeed in catching them.

     Wrote to Mother and enclosed $10.00 will be sent by the next mail. [Illustration]

Corlp. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

      Sunday 30
     Fine day again.  but very hot
     We had a brigade inspection
     By Brigr. Genl. Shipley our
     Brigade is composed of the
     30th Mass. & 12th. 13th. 14th. Maine
     Regts.  it was very hot i took
     Dinner with Uncle Ben to day
     I got a letter from sarah last night
     And wrote an answer to day.

March 23, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe,
Diary:
     March 23, 1862. Company E, Captain Brown, was detached from the regiment to act as pioneers.
From a Letter:
     Ship Island, March 23, 1862.
     Dear:
     Although I haven't received a letter from you since I arrived, I will write. The steamer Mississippi arrived on Wednesday morning, bringing the General and his Staff, also the Western Bay State Regiment. It has been blowing hard since then, consequently they haven't landed. They were obliged to stop ten days at Port Royal on account of a disaster; the steamer ran aground and stove a hole in her bottom. Aide-de-Camp Weigel was ashore yesterday, and says the Captain is in irons, and they think he is secesh.
     A number of changes will take place in our regiment as Governor Andrew has gained the day. The Colonel takes command to-day, and the Major soon after. I understand that the new Quartermaster is to be Post Commissary. Probably Colonel Butler will go home. Our officers feel like going home, two, for none like the new arrangement. Colonel French will be on the General's Staff, if he chooses, as Inspector General. Possibly the non-commissioned staff will be superseded and then what will become of me? It is astonishing to see the wirepulling for commissions; nearly all who succeed do so through influence only, no matter whether they are dummies or not. It is vexatious to see aspirants gain their points, who, literally, know nothing in military affairs. Governor Andrew has sent five officers, who don't know enough to tie up the door of a tent. This is a fact, for I pitched a tent for them and one asked me how to tie the door up. The boys say he is to finish his study in Greek at Ship Island, as he left college to come here. ,AM are sorry to lose Colonel French. I rode up the island, on horseback, the other day. Plimpton is in Read's store. We have the following regiments here: the 26th Massachusetts, the 9th Connecticut, Eastern Bay State (30th Massachusetts), [Western Bay State (31st Massachusetts), the 12th Connecticut, the 8th New Hampshire, the l2th, 13th and 14th Maine, the 21st Indiana, one from Michigan, one from Wisconsin, Major Read's three companies of cavalry and four batteries, and more are coming. The navy consists of one frigate, two sloops of war and six or eight gunboats.;
     I weigh one hundred and fifty-nine pounds and am very well. I have obtained the autographs of our regimental officers, which I will send home. I heard that Captain George has been arrested for cheating in the contracts for the government. Is that so?

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     March 23-Sunday
     Pleasant and quite warm though still windy.
     Col Dudley went through in-Spection. this morning he appears like a smart man and I guess he is so.
     Still more trouble Col Shipley has been appointed Brig’r Gen 12th 13th 14th Maine and our noted Regiment in his brigade. this is like the last straw that breaks the Camels back and it seems as though I could stand no more.
     Freeman Butler was in this morning and says there Is a package on board the Mississippi for me. I should like to see it.
     Captain Brown’s Company E. has been detailed on detached service as Pioneers or Sappers & Miners. they are under orders of Lieut.— of the Engineer Corps. Sergeant F. W. Clark of Comp E recieved his commission as 2nd Lieut in this Regiment to day but has not as yet been as-signed to any particular Comp. probably will go into Comp. E as Lieut Gardner has the offer of 2nd. Lieut in 2nd. Vermont Battery.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Sunday, March 23, 1862.
     A fine but cold day another gun
     Boat arrived this morning Our New
     Colonel inspected us this morning
     His name is N A M Dudley and he
     Is a good looking man.  Butler
     Landed this morn with his wife
     And servant girl.  there was a
     Member of Co. E. buried to day.  there
     Is about 13 or 14,000 troops here on
     The island now quite an army.

March 13, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     March 13-Thursday
     Morning very warm and Salty the most uncomfortable feeling day we have had thus far.
     8 A.M. took our Company up to Major Watson for payment 27 of our men recieved no pay on account of an error of the Mustering Officer Capt Lemes not giving us the proper certificate to show they have been duly mustered into service.
     Today we have had our usual amount of drills our Brigade was increased one Regiment. by the addition of the Maine 14th they now much better than the 12th Me although a much younger Regiment.
     The Colorado attempted to come in to day but met with the usual luck and run aground. the same as [---] everything has that is connected with this division
     The Mississippi has not shown herself as yet.
     Ocean Pearl is discharging her cargo of horses today.
     Gen Thompson was in our Quarters tonight it seems he come out on the Black Prince when she lost so many horses. started with 153 and saved only 5. he is going to work for Reeves the [---] of Me 12th.


Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Thursday 13
     Got paid off last night i had
     55.45[?] cts. due me.  we had this
     Fornoon to write our friends
     I wrote a letter to send home
     By the fulton which sails
     This noon with the mail the
     Good Steam Ship Constitution
     Arrived yesterday with 3 regts
     On board from NewPort News
[Mem]
     They are landing to day they are
     A hearty looking set of men they
     Are the 4th Wis. 6th Mich. & 21st
     Indiana Regts. they were fired
     Into by the rebels from Sewalls Pt
     But not hit.  the men are all
     Busy writing home and sending
     Thier money.  a large steamer come
     In to day the harbor is full
     Of Vessels of all kinds a storm brewing

March 8, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     March 8-Saturday
     Steamer Fulton arrived here this morning she has the Maine 13 a portion of it, & the Connecticut 12th on board reports the Mississippi within 20 hours sail of her with Major General Butler on board and our 10th company.
     Tremendous Excitement!! at Camp Thompson
     Time 11 O Clock AM 5 Offices 1st & 2nd Lieutenants have come on shore from the Fulton for our Regiment. it seems that Major Gen. Butler has been beaten by Gov. Andrews and the results is that we have a Colonel Dudley. Lieut. Col Lincoln, and Major Whitemore besides any quantity of Lieuts. it seems as though we are to have a change in our Officers. these men having their Commission have the advantage of us. all our Lieuts are shaking in their boots every one thinking it is him of course.
     Today a member of Comp E Thomas Hare. died from a fit of Appoplexy is to be buried tomorrow.
     Today our uniforms Coats have been given out and fitted to our men but they are shocking fits.
     Lieut Willey has returned it seems he got blown out to sea and could not get back went way out to rebel shore and came near being taken

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:

     Saturday, March 8, 1862

     Fine again the steamer fulton[?]

     And ship oceon pearl arrived

     This morn with the Conn 12th

     Maine 13th & 800 of the 14th Maine

     Regt. on board from camp chase

     Which they left about Feby. 7th

     The ship idahoe arrived below[?] with

     3 Batty. on board ??? Mass. Maine 1st

     And Vermont 1st on board.

March 7, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:  Dated March 10th
      March 7, 1862.
     Water froze in my tent. A steamer came in today which proved to be the Calhoun, taken awhile since from the enemy. She will be a good boat to run up the creeks into the main land, as she draws only six feet of water and will run sixteen miles an hour. A schooner arrived with mechanics aboard, who come to re-build the Fort; they brought the materials with them. On March 8 the steamer Fulton arrived with six companies of the Maine 13th Regiment. Five Lieutenants came on her with their commissions in their pockets, signed by Governor Andrew, to join our regiment; it seems that the Governor has carried his point and some of our officers will be forced to go home. It causes hard feelings, I assure you.
     The General is expected every day on the Mississippi, also a new Colonel, Major, etc. .The General may bring his entire Staff, and then where shall I be? Two companies from the 26th went over to a landing near Mississippi scouting, they landed, marched along, when a masked battery opened on them; they retreated to their boats in season to prevent their being cut off by some cavalry. 

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     March 7-Friday
     A very cold and windy day
     One of these steamers that came in last night is a Mud Steamer belonging to Secesh she seems or did seem from New Orleans to Mobile. and was taken by the New London with a mail on board. it was armed with 4 large Guns as large as any we have in use in the service.
     A Gunboat came in this morn and brings news from the Idaho she is at Key West having landed her troops there on account of severe weather. as soon as the sea becomes smooth she will come on her way to this port. this Gunboat is one of 30 that have been made for this expedition and are coming here. this one is to wait until the Major General comes the 13 &14 Maine are coming here. also the Western Bay State.
     The ground has been laid out for the Post Office & Express Office this morn.
     A Ship and Schooner have just arrived time 10 AM said to be the North America.
     Battalion drill to day consist ed in the loading & firings by Battalion. I am in command.
     The name of the prize mentioned above. is the Calhoun she had a cargo of 300,000 worth of powder on board when captured, which was some 6 weeks since.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:

     Friday 7

     Fine again all quiet and no

     News stirring in the camp.

     The men all well and contented.