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.

February 26, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     February 26-Thursday
     Weather this morning very warm & quite pleasant.
     Last night I sat up until ½ past 12 O Clock making out our pay rolls and have not get them finished yet tomorrow is our muster day and they must be finished at all events.
     Today has been a sad day with us in our company for the first death has occurred in our company. Daniel C. Eastman died this morning and at 4 O Clock P.M. we buried him under arms a soldiers life not a soldiers death he died of Typhoid fever and has been a very sick man for some time past. The 26th Regiment Band played us to the burial place. 2 horses and a wagon running gear served as a hearse. An escort of 8 men and Corp. Thos. England escorted the procession to the grave and fired 8 blank Cartridges were fired over his grave our company marched by the Flank as mourners Officers in the rear. Lieut L. & myself were alone from our Company but Lieuts Johnson & Fuller of Comp F. accompanied us in our solem mission.
     The afternoon and evening was devoted by the Company to cleaning up Equipment and getting ready for inspection and muster tomorrow.
     Capt Shipley seems no better & the Doctor does not seem to know what his trouble is any more than a boy three years old would of the same thing.
     This evening we were called into the Colonels tent and some free hints about our tomorrow labors given us for our benefit and the appearance of the Reg’t.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Wednesday 26
     Another fine morn after on[e?] of the
     Most terrific thunder storms i ever
     Knew.  my hand lame yet and no drill
     The ship undaunted[?] Capt[?] Elliott
     Arrived with horses i went and see
     Them landed it was done by hoisting
     Them over the side of the ship in
     A sling and swimming them on
     Shore.  The captain of a brig got a
     Duckling[?] this PM.  it is very hot

Roster: Company F

The following is a list of all soldiers listed as serving in Company F 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).