May 19, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     May 19-Monday

     This day will be remembered by many persons for a long time for this reason. The Mayor, City Marshall, a number of under Officers, Recorders & among whom is our friend Adams of last eve. some of the leaders of the reign of terror which has reigned supreme for so long time. but the sun is now breaking though the clouds, and in a few weeks or more all will be sunshine. Gen. Butler is spoken of highly for the firm and I may say quiet manner in which he has done his duty. He is no doubt the right man in the right place.

     Our duties have not been very severe. hardly any running to day. the Vermont Officers are just doing something and we laying back unless it is, something of some importance.

     Weather does not seem to grow any cooler and if it grows much warm we shall some of us, have to sell out and go home. For I am beginning to feel the effects of the heat.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Monday, May 19, 1862.
     A very hot morn.  i went with a guard
     Of men up to the marine[?] hospital
     To get Sar[?] White of Co G who was hurt
     Very bad by a horse last night.  it
     Is where the rebel that were wounded
     At forts Jackson are and some others
     From up the river we were treated
     First rate.  our Co. was out on patrole
     Duty till 4 Oc. this morning
[Mem]
     The Mayor & 4 other citizens were
     Arrested By the Prov Marshall to day.
     And sent to fort Jackson for aiding
     And encouraging the rebel army.
     Major Gen Butler has given till the
     27th for the issuers of confederate
     Money to withdraw it after that
     None but U States Money is good.

May 5, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     May 5-Monday

     Quite sick to day with my diarrhea but trust it will not last long. Capt no better then I am. Whit is the toughest of the lot I guess after all he seems to stand up and hold his own. He is a fine fellow and we made a very good thing by the exchange.

     Three of our Companies detailed to day from Regiment for Provost duty. Comp C, G, & H. H. has gone to the Jackson R.R. and taken possession of the Depot and track, Stock and all property belonging to the company. Company C and G reported to the Provost Marshall for orders but have been sent back to await further orders. our company detailed for patrol duty. I am pretty sick to night and not on duty. Comp G. on patrol duty also.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

      Monday 5
     Another fine morn.  we had
     3[?] Unionists come to our quarters
     For protection.  i lent one
     My 2 blankets & overcoat
     And made him a bed on the
     Floor he had been in prison
     3[?] weeks for not taking the
     Oath of alliegence to jeff
     Davis.  everything is quiet.

April 28, 1862

Engraving of Forts Jackson & St. Phillip on the lower Mississippi below New Orleans, 1862.
Engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 1862.
Image shared at Wikipedia

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
Diary:
     April 28, 1862. Went on up the river, opposite the forts. A detachment was sent to one of the forts. I went ashore to Fort Jackeon. It was well shattered.

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 28-Monday

     Weather fair –

     Reported landing of Butlers forces 6 miles above Fort Jackson. or rather Philips on the other ride of river New Orleans side.

     Gun Ferry boat came down & Reports surrender of both Forts and wants 5 companies of our Regiment to go up and hold them. Gen. Phelps says too us up and take the whole Regiment of Companies go on board the Gunboat of which number 6 is one of the lucky ones and she tours the North America also. this is at 10 A.M. we run up in sight of the Forts and the Gunboat leaves the transport and proceeds up to the Forts. two river boats loaded with prisoners who have attempted to escape are up against the Bank of the river. having been brought to by a Gun from the Harriet Lane. landed our prisoners at Phillips under charge of a gaurd. the Flagg was run up at 3:20 P.M. amid the Cheers of Navy and army.

     Company was the first in each Fort having landed left Lieut Whitcomb in charge of the prisoners and Major Whittemore Comps H & G in Fort Phillips. we go on board Gun boat and proceed across river to Jackson and take possession there. it was so filthy we could not go inside but lay out over the moat on the bare ground what little time we slept. their are some 700 prisoners in all. the big Ram was blown up by the Naval officers. after the articles of surrender were all signed we have them in close confinement. The Fort had plenty of ammunition and stores to last them 6 months but their men were tired of war and mutinied. the Fort was blown all to pieces inside. The Bastion completely demolished 2 or 3 casemates broken completely through.\

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Monday, April 28, 1862
     Fine again.  the men are all rejocing
     At the news of the surrender of the forts.
     After a seige of 9 days.  rather tough that.
     We have a steam gun boat alongside
     To tow us up the river.  good.  part of
     The regt & the 4th Battery went on
     Shore in to the forts and hoisted our
     Flag, about 3 Oc, the PM.  the rebels
     Tried to blow up the forts but did not
     Make out.

 

April 26, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 26-Saturday

     Quite pleasant very warm.

     Funeral of the two men who died yesterday services about two O Clock P.M. they were buried on shore at the head of the passes on the banks of So. West pass and had a soldiers burial discharge of mustering on their graves. all the honors that can be paid to a poor soldier who dies away from home.

     John is quite sick to day Capt much better is Officer of the day.

     A large fire raft came down upon us last night but fortunately the current took it to one side of us so it done no harm. It floated down and run aground on the flats. it was composed of the hulk of a large vessel of some kind coppered and copper fastened. filled with cotton & tar and other combustible materials

     News from up river is as slow as ever nothing having been recieved as yet to order us up river. Recieved quite a variety of papers dates Mar 26th the latest by the Lewis Yesterday.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Saturday 26
     Fine again.  there was 2 deaths on board
     yesterday.  a member of the MRR, and
     One of Co G of this regt they were taken
     On shore and buried.  we had funeral service on
     The ship.  their graves were marked with
     Head Boards with their name &e, there is
     A gang of men on shore to cook 4 days
     Rations.  the rebels have sent 2 flags of
     Truce, but the Com. wont yield a hair.

April 5, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
Diary:
     April 5, 1862. Lieutenant-Colonel W. W. Bullock joined us. Governor Andrew has gained the day over General Butler and he is sending out officers to take the place of Butler's appointments. It seems hard, after the old officers have recruited and drilled their men. Since landing on the island, the troops have been busy drilling. I expect we will soon depart, judging from actions. Lieutenant-Colonel French has gone on Butler's staff.
 
2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 5-Saturday

     Weather very warm and pleasant.

     Conn 9th arrived this morning have had a perfect success. not one Mississippi Regiment. who fired one volly of Grape Shot into their ranks. the Conn charged into them. and they ran throwing away everything they had in their flight. Their Camp was burned by the 9th and all equipage except for what the men stole and brought away with them. they also got quite a rebel mail with them. Pistols. Powder Horns. Uniforms Watches, and numerous other mementos the boys have with them.

     Capt Wm. O. Fiske was down to see us to day he is looking finely. fat as possible.

     Saxon arrived to day. With Lieut Bullock on board as Lt. Col & Lt. Appleton also. Lt. Emerson & Robinson were mustered out to day. still the changes come.

     Quite an accident happened here to day. and a race after 3 men from the Maine 12th and two from Comp G. Capt Yeaton were drowned while bathing in the So. beach.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

   Saturday 5
     A fine morn. there is considerable
     Excitment.  the New London took
     In her prize this AM. they are
     Landing Troops & Horses to day
     From the Republic.  there was
     2 Vessels come in to day.  the troops
     Have returned back from the other
     With[?] some prisoners and a flag
     It was a white body with a
[Mem]
     A Blue Corner and a purple border
     With a cotton plant in the
     Center.  one star in the Blue Corner.
     We are all busy getting ready
     For Saturdays inspection. they
     Say we have a Leiut Col arrived
     It looks as if we should get a shower.
     We got orders from the colonel to
     Go in bathing[?] i did not go having
     Been unwell 3 or 4 days.  there was
     5 men drowned 2 of our Regt. & 3 from
     The 12th Maine lost[?] the bodys were
     Rewarded[?].  it cast a gloom all through
     The camp.  they will be burried
     Tomorrow.  

Roster: Company G

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