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 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.

 

March 26, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     March 26-Wednesday

     Weather warm indeed it is a very hot day. perspiration run quite freely have an hour very fine drill as Battalion.

     Lieut. Wm. F. Lovrin recieved the acceptance of his resignation. Lieut Whitcomb of Comp A being Senior 2nd Lieut. has recieved the appointment. takes his position tomorrow.

     There has been quite a fluttering among the line officers to day Lieut Col Jonas H. French & Lieut Finegass & [---] mustered out of the service to day. & Capt. Nelson of Comp H. recieved the ap-pointment of Provost Marshall for the Dept. of the Gulf. Briggs put into Comp. H. vice Finegass mustered out. Lieut. Brown into Comp. A. vice Whitcomb promoted these two last are Gov. Andrews appointment. and met with rather a cool reception. and no doubt will continue to receive all annoyances that can be given them.

     To day we recieved quite a mail. I got a letter from my Mother dated Feb 2nd and one from my wife dated Feb 6th they were both very welcome although some what old. but old letters are a great deal better than none. for I now do know at least how my wife and mother were situated a little more then a month ago.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Wednesday, March 26, 1862.
     Another fine day.  a large ship the
     Western Express arrived this morn
     With Horses she started with 200
     And lost half of them on the voyage
     They are unloaded them to day.  the
     Gun Boat Hatteras arrived this PM.
     I got a letter & paper from home
     Good News and glad to hear from
     Home.

Roster: Company H

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