June 2, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
Diary:
     June 2, 1862. Landed and quartered in the State House, over which we raised the Stars and Stripes. During our stay, expeditions were sent outside the lines, which captured stock, provisions and prisoners. This is a pretty place and healthy.

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     June 2-Monday

     Clear and beautiful day though very warm, but how much more pleasant than N.O.

     we are now on high ground at least and no doubt our health will be much better.

     Our Company has come in this morning from Piquet duty the first they have ever done. and it was the first time I have been so that I could not go with them. and I hope this will not last long.

     While I am writing the McClellan has come up the river with the 9th Conn Reg’t one of our best and no getting clear of it the story in N.O. is that the Mass 30 & Conn 9th can drink more rum and do more fighting than any 2 Reg’ts in the service, and I guess it is so.

     Comp.A detailed on Patrol duty to day. Co. D. & H. are on Piquet and B. on gaurd so we have now only 5 Comp. for duty to day.

     Went into the Hospital to day have some Chills, much Diarrhea and some Rheumatism, and am pretty well used up all though, for the first time & I hope the last.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
      Monday 2
     A fine day.  there is a party of
     Guerillas prowling round the outside
     Of the city.  a ???? to the citizens but
     They wont stay long our troops are
     Getting rather plenty all around here
     Above & below.  this is a fine place
     It is a great deal higher than the
     River and the air is better than
     It is down N Orleans way.

May 13, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:
     Medical Director's Office, New Orleans, May 13,1862.
     Dear:
     When I last wrote, I was on the way to New Orleans, where we arrived on May 1. The 26th Regiment was left at Forts Jackson and Philip; the others of this expedition followed us up the river. Immediately above the Forts, plantations present themselves. It is seventy miles up to this city and it is a beautiful sail at this season. Sugar cane is about eight inches high. On every plantation gangs of slaves can be seen at work. The proprietors' houses are large and surrounded by orange trees. The houses for the slaves are little white cottages, with a veranda to each. I counted twenty on one plantation. Each plantation appears like a small village. As we neared the city, buildings became numerous. All the people ran out to see us pass. Some waved handkerchiefs, others stood dumb. Of course all the darkies hopped and danced. Outside the limits of the city, as we were approaching, we saw a company of Frenchmen hastening to protect their property. Everybody was running to and fro; large numbers of them were crowding the wharf, still they said nothing. Soon all our shipping came to anchor, and the next day we were landed.
     The troops are quartered all about the city, in buildings. Our regiment is in camp in Lafayette Square, Odd Fellows' Hall. The remainder of our troops has arrived from Ship Island. There have been no mobs, although they are all hot traitors. The poor rejoice in our arrival. Flour has been selling at $30 a barrel; there was no tea or coffee. Our General has been giving provisions to the poor. I went to the Custom House the other morning, and should think there were one thousand women with baskets to obtain food. Before we came, all who could not be forced to go to the war, had to drill every day, or pay a fine. You never saw such a state of affairs. Three of our companies are on provost duty, under Colonel French. Company C, Captain Shipley, seized one million dollars in specie, yesterday. They had put it under the Spanish flag for protection. Eight hundred thousand has been seized in a bank, and arms, etc., are found in various parts of the city. All the cotton on the levee was burned when it was known the Forts had surrendered. All the shops had been closed, but a few are opening now. Yesterday our forces seized three loads of cotton up the river.
     It is very interesting to sit on the sidewalk and watch the passers. Oh, just look at the colored folks dressed so finely, with their high colored turbans. An aristocratic young lady took particular pains to pass several times, wearing a secesh flag at her waist. She said she would tear the United States flag before our eyes, if she only could get one. I sung out, "Three cheers for the red, white and blue." The city is not a desirable place to live; it is too low, on a level with the river, and the water does not run off freely. The river is high now. I expect we shall have to stay here all summer. A vessel has just arrived with one year's stock of camp equipage. We heard that the Federals gained a victory at Shiloh but lost at Corinth last Friday. I wish the war was over. There is too much speculation carried on by politicians. I have good quarters, sleep on two stuffed settees. The Staff board at a hotel. The mosquitoes are very thick, it is useless to try to sleep without a mosquito bar. My health is good. Dr. Cleaveland has gone home, took a sudden start, I don't know why. Parker has an office in the Custom House and is Postmaster of New Orleans. I wish you could see what is used for money here! There is no specie. The horse railroad checks pass for five cents. Recruiting is brisk; we enlisted twenty-five men in our regiment to-day. I shall write at every opportunity. This letter goes on the Matanzas.

SON AND BROTHER WARREN.

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     May 13-Tuesday

     Warm and quite pleasant if we can keep out of the sun, which in my business is impossible for it is sun, sun continually.

     This morning I had an opportunity for a fine intrigue but not wishing anything to do with such affairs took no notice. I do not wish to interfere in any mans family between himself and wife. A lady who lives in a building in the rear of our Office came to her window and shows me a note at the same time motioning me to come and get it. I left the Office and went down stairs out in the Backyard and she throws me the note tied to a piece of wood I opened it and find it is in relations to a policeman’s family. She says he raised a company for the Rebel army and also that the property he holds belongs to his wife, who she says he abuses very badly, and tries to kill, and numerous other charges. she winds up her note by saying that said Lady is a perfect Angel (Angle) and implores me to go to her assistance. perhaps she thinks beauty would be some object to me. I destroyed the note after having shown it to the Colonel whose opinion is about the same as mine in regards to it.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Tuesday, May 13, 1862.
     Fine again i feel better bussiness
     Getting brisk.  the people begin to
     Get sociable with us.  A member of
     Co. D & 1 of Co. C of our Regt died
     At the gen hos. last night.  our folks
     Are making seizures of value everyday.
     Major Gen Butler is enlisting new
     Recruits from the impressed[?] soldiers
     Of the rebel ranks.

April 6, 1862

2nd Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 6-Sunday

     Had our Sunday inspection on the South Shore. under Comp commanders. it is tremendous hot day the perspiration rolls down my back in streams and stands still at that.

     Three men who were drowned were buried to day. it was a solemn sight to see them dragged away. and only a few minutes before their death they were in good health and spirits full of life and anticipating no doubt their time when they should go home.

     Had orders to day to move but they have since been countermanded.

     Lt. Fox has resigned and also Capt Ferris of Comp D. Fox’s was accepted and Ferris not.

     Lt Col Bullock read into the Regiment to day. to be obeyed and respected according to his rank.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Sunday 6
     A very hot day had to go on inspection[?]
     Leiut Colonel WM Bullock was
     At inspection he is a very good
     Looking man.  they are unloading
     Horses today they lost 3 or 4 last night
     There was a large ship & Bark come
     In this morn.  the 2[?] men who were
     Drowned were buried this PM.
     There has been 4 burials to day ????
     From the Regts on the island.

March 24, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     March 24-Monday
     Weather very fine. warm and pleasant.
     One of Gen. [Gov.] Andrews newly appointed Lieut has been assigned to Comp. F. Reltys [Kelty's] fire Zouares as 2nd Lieut Vici Claiborne mustered out or discharged.
     Lieut Penny another of the same stamp has been appointed 2nd Vici Parker. Post Master of the Department of the Gulf as our Dept. is known now the poor N.E 2nd is no more it has had its last struggle but died game and no doubt the officer of the Eastern Bay State will also.
     Lieut N.R. Reed of Comp. D has been appointed on fatigue duty permanently. got his appointment yesterday. A hard job and neither thanks or honor attach ed to it.
     Had out first Battalion drill to day under our new Colonel to day. He knows his business thoroughly I should judge. and I was lucky enough to appear in command as Lieut L. was sick. Lieut Lovrin has tendered his resignation. and is going home if it is accepted. no doubt it will be for applicants for us poor unfortunate Lieuts are as plenty as fish in the sea for our positions. it matters not wether they come by them honorably or no as long as they get them. that is all they want.
     Three Rebels came over here to day from New Orleans in a small boat. they report things as getting quite desperate there now. no provisions, no ammunition & no anything, and not much feeling for Sesession. but this is all humbug.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

      Monday 24
     Another fine day.  Com drill from
     7 to 8 Oclock.  the colonel drilled us
     Today the gun boat isle de cuba
     Arrived to day with a mail and
     Orders.  Bussiness i driving all over
     The island.  there was a number
     Of Commd. officers come with
     The Colonel.

January 11, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     January 11-Saturday
     Weather this morning pleasant but very cold
     I went on shore this evening to go to Lowell but missed the cars and have come to the conclusion that I will stop over night in Boston.
     Went to the Hotel and stopped over night should liked to have gone up to Lowell but am disappointed. and do not believe I shall have another opportunity. but shall take one if possible.
     It begins to grow monotonous this staying on Shipboard and not being able to get home when almost in sight of it and going away from ones home and friends for so long a time and per-haps for ever
     Recieved orders to disembark for Fort Independence this morn one Comp. D. went down in the Saxon and they came back for another load but the order has been counter manded. and they are to come back. When we sail for Fortress Monroe.


Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Saturday 11
     We had a fine sail down the
     Harbour to Fort Independence
     Which is a first rate place.  we
     Had just got settled when we
     Got orders to pack up and go
     Back to the ship again some
     Long faces and some laughing.
     Got back about dark.  had [just?]
     An excursion or picnic.

Roster: Company D

The following is a list of all soldiers listed as serving in Company D of the 30th Massachusetts (1861-1865).  These names have all been taken a list I have compiled using names from the books Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War and Record of the Massachusetts volunteers 1861-1865, both of which are available to view at www.ancestry.com

Field & Staff + Company Officers: 1861

In the coming months there will be a great deal of information for me to add if not on a daily basis, at least several times a week.  Posts reflecting the time frame of 1862 will be quite plentiful, mainly due to the fact that I have two very good diary accounts to draw from (one from Henry Warren Howe as I have presented already.  I will add more information about the second diary a few days before its entries begin).