May 28, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     May 28-Wednesday

     Business not very brisk this morning.

     Took an order to arrest B[---] of our navy an asst. Purser and take him before Gen. Butler, done so, and returned to Office. the rest of the day I spent in Office at table of Lt. Levi Stafford acting Deputy Marshall, find it harder than the running around the City, continuous talking, answering questions about assaults and battery. confederation money, and thousand other useless questions, which we have nothing to do with at all.

     Provost Office continually beat with a hungry crowd for passports & licenses and enough work to keep 20 men jumping all the time more business then I was ever connected with in all my life.

     Lieut Covey got in trouble at the Lake and in some manner shot a woman of the town, the ball entering the fleshy part of the thigh but doing no serious injury, Lt is Quartermaster of the 31st Mass Vols.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Wednesday, May 28, 1862.
     A first rate morn.  got steam
     Up and started down the river got
     Into the lake stopped at fort pike
     Landed Ver[mont] men and left for home
     Got into wharfe went on board the
     Cars and started for N Orleans where
     We arrived about 8 Oc.  marched to the
     Quarters.  we feel first rate after
     The expedition.

May 25, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     May 25-Sunday

     A very warm day as usual. I find that I never saw any weather or warm weather before.

     Sunday and as the office is closed there is not much doing Whitcomb and myself went out and took a walk around town, enjoyed ourselves a little. considering we are away from home so far. we can never enjoy myself here unless I could have my friends, home and last but not least my wife, home is nothing without a wife.

     I met or rather we had an invitation to go up to the Lake, along with Sam Smith, and Thompson, went up and met Lt. Burt of 31st and a number of friends it is a beautiful place. he has a century plant which is expected to bloom everyday and he has any quantity of visitors to see it. his place is located on the Banks of Lake Ponchartrain. and is a delightful place a resort of the elite of the City, and is always thronged with people. He has a Pistol Gallery, bowling alleys, and a very fine garden and grounds around it. the road is a hard shell road and a very pleasant drive, had a fine time and a nice ride, some fast horses around him but nearly all Pacers.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
      Sunday, May 25, 1862
     Fine again.  there is no news of
     Any account.  i wrote a letter to my
     Wife & 1 to Eddy and sent home with
     A new orleans papers had orders
     This PM to pack our blankets and
     Take 2 days rations which we did and
     Marched to Ponchatrain RR Depot
     And rode to the head of the lake and
     Went on steamer whiteman and stopped

May 10, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     May 10-Saturday

     Went on quite a tramp with one Wheeler an informer to find Guns and numerous implements of war. traveled about 5 miles in the hot sun to Thos. Griswold’s and Luther Holmes Foundry’s searched them through but found nothing. found several pieces of U.S. Machinery (so Wheeler says) but it is to solid and heavy to move without machinists help. then went to a dwelling house and found 264 Calvary Saber Scabbards. 78 blades and a number of Hilts that is all we succeeded in finding at this time. I think Wheelers is a humbug.

     While I was away Capt Shipley on an order from Gen Butler took possession of the Consul of the Netherlands office, in Hope Insurance Office and found 170 kegs of spices belonging to Confederate Government.

     Our company relieved by a company of the 31st Regiment. everything remains quiet in the city and stores are opening a little. think business will soon revive.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

      Saturday, May 10, 1862.
     A very hot day.  our troops are all
     Scattered & quartered over the city as
     Guards.  the Maj Genl is busy hunting
     Up Secesh stores of all kinds.  and the
     Provost Marshall has made a
     Number of seizures.  i have got
     The bowel complain rather hard
     And am on the sick list.

May 1, 1862

2d Lieut Elliot:
Diary:

     May 1-Thursday

     Rhode Island our mail boat passed up river this morning also gunboat Miami. this is the one we put back to Fortress Monroe with on our trip out to Ship Island. One of our Gunboats aground on the flats. Rhode Island at work towing her off.

     Arrived opposite New Orleans at 4 P.M. do not land until to morrow. out Gunboat having left us and gone down river if he had kept us along we would have been the first to land. One of our Gunboats and our Frigate came in collision Frigate came of best. Gunboat carried away foremast and smokestack. But I think no very serious damage done either. one man drowned by his boat capsized.

     The 31st Mass. Regiment disembarked to night. 12th Conn Reg’t also landed Col Demming. these are the two first on shore. a few pistols fired through the night but everything seemed to pass of quietly. no alarm.

     Brent Johnson and I on guard again to day we have good luck in coming together. no mail from Rhode Island. she left it at Ship Island for destribution.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Thursday, May 1, 1862
     A Fine morning.  hoisted anchor
     And was turned up the river by
     Gun boat Jackson it was very
     Beautiful along the banks of
     The river  there is a great many
     Plantations some very large and
     Handsome watched[?] large gangs of
     Slaves at work.  we anchored off wast[?]
     The city about 4 Oclock.

April 21, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:
     Head Of Southwest Pass, Mississippi River, Miss.,
     April 21, 1862.
     Dear:
     My last was written the day before my departure. The following regiments comprise the expedition: the 26th, the 30th and the 31st Massachusetts, three Western, two Connecticut, and four batteries. Our regiment is on the ship North America, three on the Great Republic, one on the E. Wilder Farley, two on the Mississippi and one on the Matanzas. We were towed to sea by steamers and ordered to report to Pass A'Lutre, thence ordered to Southwest Pass. All crossed the bar with help of steamers, except the Great Republic. There is sixteen feet of water over the bar, and she draws nineteen. Going up with a fair wind, we enjoyed the scenery. The water is very muddy. The ground, as one enters the passes, is low and swampy, covered with tall grass, and reminds one of a western prairie, with a narrow river winding through it. The distance from the mouth of the river to the head of the Pass is fifteen miles. Pilot Town is situated about six miles from the mouth of the river. The buildings here have piazzas on each story and are very quaint looking. A vessel passed us on the way down, and stated that bombarding was to begin that day. Soon after, firing was heard, and smoke could be seen, which has continued ever since. We are anchored twenty miles distant, awaiting the reduction of Forts Jackson and Philip. This morning we heard from a gunboat that a breach had been made in the walls and a lot of cotton fired, inside the Fort. The gunboat brought down nine wounded seamen and conveyed them to Pilot Town, which is to be used as a hospital. They have sunk one mortar boat. They have a chain just above the Fort, supported by rafts and anchored boats, also fire-rafts, which are sent down on our fleet, if a near approach is made. Fort Philip is not so strongly fortified, but the one commands the other. Last night our boats were to advance and cut the chain, after which our fleet can surround the Fort and obtain a better position. Firing has been continued day and night and it is a hard fight. The army can do nothing until the Fort is captured and that cannot be stormed, as no landing can be made. Last night, at 11 o'clock, a row boat hailed us and called for a line. The river runs very fast here; the boat drifted astern onto another boat which was floating by a line from our ship. The row boat was rapidly filling with water and was in a very dangerous position, being run somewhat under the other. We soon found that it was General Butler and his Aid who were in the partially swamped boat, and all possible speed was made in lowering a third boat to take them aboard. It was a very narrow escape for them. And such confusion as there was on both ship and boat, I never saw. After the third boat was lowered, they scrambled aboard. I tell you, they shook and trembled like leaves. They had been going from one steamer above us to another alongside, and the water swept them down on us. I don't know how long we shall remain here, probably until the Fort is captured, and then we shall occupy and advance...

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 21-Monday

     Weather warm and pleasant to day.

     We are to day having a little target practice from Quarters Deck. the Col. having got a few rounds of Cartridges, to give the men some idea if estimating distance. and the use of sight. some make very good shots. and some make very poor there is a great chance for improvement in nearly all. besides instruction for the men it seems to relieve the monotony of ship life which is getting very irksome. in fact we are getting to think that we are attached to the marine Corps. I for one shall be glad when we get off Shipboard for good. and once more settled on land where we can live natural and seem like men and have some health for it uses up our men to be crowded on a ship so long. Firing continues as usual but we get no news.

     Services to night as usual. Dr. Cleaveland is getting along on to Abolition a little to strong to suit us. and is in my opinion should be stopped for we are not here to fight for the freedom of Slaves. when we come to that I for one will resign and go home.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Monday 21
     A clear morn a great coat comfortable
     Maj Gen Butler come near being swamped
     Alongside our ship.  there has been firing at
     The fort all night we had a fine dinner
     Of seawater[?] & hard bread yesterday we
     Are all getting tired of the old[?] ship as
     We are all crowded together like a lot of
     Hogs.  the ship is old and dirty.  all we have
     Had to eat since we left the island is
     Salty water, Hard Bread, Beans & Peas
[Mem]
     Water & poor coffee.  the steamers
     Saxon & Lewis got in ship island
     There is a bark arrived here from Boston
     To night loaded with Shells &c. for
     Our fleet.  she has some other stuff
     Cakes, Nuts &c.

April 19, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 19-Saturday

     A very pleasant but warm day as usual.

     This is the anniversary of our riot in Baltimore it would be well celebrated could we only march into New Orleans but we must wait for a few days longer before that pleasure is allowed for us. no doubt but it will be soon and it remains to be seen, wether that murderous scene awaits us there.

     Gunboat Winona came down the river but brings no news from our fleet. she has one hole though her cutwater made by one of the enemy shots. it shows that all their lead is not thrown away.

     Great Republic can not get over the bar and she in company with Saxon and Matanzus go around the point and land their troops in the rear Fort St. Phillip and be ready for an attack in rear if needed. 26th and Western Reg’t are on board with 31 Mass. Farley and us stay here to go up river.

     Our boys who have a fancy that way enjoy themselves by pulling against the tide of the Mississippi in Captains Gig. Capt Ferris, Wells, Lieuts Howe and some others & they make quite a boat club.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
      Saturday, April 19, 1862.
     Fine again.  it is a year today
     Since our troops left the North
     For the seat of war, washington
     It is hot and pleasant here the
     Birds are singing marrily,
     Among them is the mocking & Canary
     Birds.  got under weigh again and sailed
     Up to steamer missisippi and dropt
     Anchor astern of her the jackson come
[Mem]
     Down the river and took Butler &
     Staff on board & went up the river.
     The saxon went down this PM.
     There is all sorts of stories concerning
     The fight at the fort.  we can hear the
     Guns from the fleet.

April 12, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 12-Saturday

     Great Republic and Idaho blown on shore last night but not damaged very badly. this morning is very pleasant but quite cool.

     3 men killed by Lighting in 31st Mass Regiment. one man knocked down while standing gaurd, at the Wharf. Comp K of our Regiment.

     Kanawha came in with 5 prizes. small schooners loaded with cotton.

     Washington reported wrecked on coast just down Island she is supposed to have a mail on board for us. I hope so. Quartermaster 7th Vermont under arrest.

     New London is with 2 prizes loaded with Molasses.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

      Wednesday 12
     Rather a cool morning the
     Pay master has begun to pay off
     Our regiment Our company
     Have signed the pay roll and
     Will be paid off this evening if
     Nothing happens.

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 20, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     20-Thursday

     The long looked for Mississippi has at last arrived. and has on board Major Gen’l Butler and a portion of his staff 
     Harry Wigel came on shore and run us while we were on drill this morning was very glad to see him. now we shall soon know who are to be the Officers of the Mass 30th Capt & I have some notion of going home at any rate luck do not know fully as yet. Col Dudley was on shore and looked the Regiment over a little at dress parade but was not introduced to us. will be tomorrow

     Col French tells us that he will appear as our immediate Commander no more. he thanked the present officers very kindly for their attention to his orders while he has been in command and seemed to feel very bad to think some one was to fill his and some of our places.

     The Mississippi has [---] Captain and mate in [---]. for [---] her on shore it seems they run her on shore 3 times on her trip. then the vessel was put into the hands of a sailing mas-ter who brought her into port.

     The Western Bay State Regiment is on board and a fourth of the N.H. 8th cannot land them to day on account of the rough state of weather.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Thursday, March 20, 1862.
     We had a hard blow last night
     And a cold morning.  i had to go on
     Board the Lewis and go on fatigue
     Duty unloading the Ship and ??????
     1 Coming up to ??? had to stay all
     Night.  the steamer Missisippi
     Come in this morn with Butler
     And Staff on board and some
     Other troops for the army.

March 12, 1862

2nd Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     March 12-Wednesday
     Morning cold and cloudy. commenced raining about 9 O Clock AM bids fair for a stormy day.
     No drills to day on account of the storm.
     Noon a vessell have in sight that looks very much like the Constitution, there is much speculation about wether it is her or not.
     3 ½ O Clock P.M. the Constitution now lays out in our harbor at Anchor. for the vessel spoken of above appears to be her. She has on board for troops. a Wisconsin Regiment. the one that relieved us at the Relay house last summer and a Minnesota and an Indiana Regiment in all 2,900 and some old men Dr. Kimballs son is also on board. they report the Mississippi at Port Royal with Major Gen. B.F. Butler and staff on board, she put into Port Royal to repair damages done her by running aground are a shoal. she has 1 whole and some 600 men of another Reg’t. on board. I also hear by the Constitution that Billy Fiske has command of a Company of Zouaris in the Western Bay State, or Mass 31st Reg’t. I hope this is so.
     Constitution was fired into from [Sewalls - ?] point by the Rebels one shot [---] between her smoke stack and main mast. a number of then struck quite close to her, 5 shots were fired she had to go up to Newport News to get her troops as Gen. Wood would not permit them to land at Fortress Monroe.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Wednesday 12
     Rather a cool morning the
     Pay master has begun to pay off
     Our regiment Our company
     Have signed the pay roll and
     Will be paid off this evening if
     Nothing happens.

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.