April 4, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 4-Friday

     Weather very comfortable this morning.

     The Great Republic in this news from Portland she brings a portion of the main troops and some Horses. one other ship which came in with her I could not get the name of.

     Robert Dale Court martial to day he plead guilty to the charge and his sentence has not been made known as yet.

     About two hours engagement between 3 Rebels Gun Boats and the New London. right in sight of the Island. it created quite an excitement.

     Rebel Gunboat Wallis captured by the New London with a cargo of Spirits turpentine & Rosin, & 20 men.

     Batt. drill under Col Dudley to day it seems quite natural. We have lots of work on hand. making Quarterly returns of Ammunition & Clothing and everything we have.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

      Friday, April 4, 1862.
     The Ship Great Republic and
     Another Ship Come in this
     Morning.  they are loaded with
     Soldiers, Horses, & Stores there
     Is considerable firing this PM from
     The other shore our Gun Boats took
     A rebel Boat & ??????, she went
     Round the upper end of the island
     And therew[?] [?] shell on the island.

April 2, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 2-Wednesday

     A very warm day, as usual.

     Capt. Shipley on drill to day for the first time for a long while. Whitcomb on Court Martial.

     The 9th Conn. Regiment have gone on an expedition over to Biloxi with Mannings Battery. under the charge of Major Strong. Col J. H. Freeman has gone with them.

     No news here of any consequence everything is very dull & quiet. we are looking for news from the Conn. with considerable anxiety. are in hopes they will make a good strike.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Wednesday 2
     Another hot one.  the 9th Conn
     Regt. had orders to go over to
     The other side with the 6th
     Mass Battery.  they left in the
     Lewis Jackson + Hatteras

March 31, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     March 31-Monday
     It really seems hotter than yesterday if such a thing is possible. I never saw such weather in my life. it is en-tirely impossible for a person to keep at all comfortable.
     We are drilling hard and im-proving fast every day and I think we are just as fit now for service as any Reg’t that is going away now. but our turn has not come yet & we must await it.
     Troops are still embarking the 26 & 9 Conn. have gone back to 2nd to wait until more transport are ready for them.
     Lieut Whitcomb has been detailed on Court Martial. Col Dudley is on the same court. it is a General Ct Martial. Capt Haggerty has been appointed Judge Advo-cate.
     Drills as usual.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Monday 31
     This is a very hot day there is
     No news stirring.  it very hot
     Drilling.  we have 2 Battalion
     Drills a day there is about
     6,000 waiting orders to move.

January 26, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:
     On Board Ship Constitution,
     Hampton Roads, Va., January 26, 1862.
     Dear:
     I have just come aboard to wash and change my clothes and find a leisure moment to write to you. It is a week to-morrow since we went into camp on the neck of land which connects the Fort with the main land. We have had a severe time. It rained constantly until within two days. The troops went ashore for exercise in the morning, and at noon the Colonel sent for the camp equipage. Every one was completely wet through and many lay outside their tents in the sand that night. All worked in the rain the next day, trying to get into a comfortable situation, and we have been doing so ever since. A great many of the Maine Regiment are sick; also some of our boys. I should think two hundred in all. I have worked very hard, providing rations for the men and sending over the camp equipage. The Colonel seems to like me. The tide came up so high last night that all the tents were struck and we went farther up in to the main land, to the woods. A part of the men camped in a graveyard.
     I have made an application for a transfer. The Colonel and Captain signed it and then sent it to headquarters. It was refused. An order came from Washington to grant no transfers from one department to another. The Captain then ordered me to my company. I saw him about it and thought of going to Washington to speak to the General, but he is expected here soon. Lieutenant Weigel is here and he says I shall come out all right. I hope so. I have received my two months' wages. The next time I write I shall know where I stand. I am well. Why haven't you written?

     SON WARREN.

     After dinner. 
     Dr. Bradley is Surgeon for the contrabands at the Post. Colonel French and Miss Shipley have the measles; they caught them from the boys. I had some beans this morning which had been baked in the ground, and they were nice. W.


2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     January 26-Sunday
     Warm and pleasant this morning. this being our inspection day our program is as follows.
     First 9 A.M. formed a line on he beach for inspection by Col. French and Major Paine then marched down by the Flank a short piece and attended to the reading of the Army Regulations as with Articles of War by Col. Major and adjutants. after this some sentences by Court Mar-tial at Fort Treble at Port-land, Maine in 17th Infantry and some very severe ones to. one I remember in par-ticular the man loses his pay through his term of service except enough to pay the washer woman & shelter. besides 3 months solitary confinement, and hard labor the balance of the period left him from his enlistment.