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.  

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.

March 21, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     March 21-Friday

     Cold and very windy day Gen. Butler has not yet come ashore. the tide is very high and driving right on shore. it is dangerous for a boat to make the attempt

     Col Dudley was on shore to day looked the Regiment over and consider it a fine one.

     I suppose there will be some changes in our line Officers very soon. Though probably must for a week or two.

     No drills at all to day on account of our [---] having no Officers that have any authority for the Mass 30 as this Regiment will be known hereafter. though we are have had no orders as yet.

     Lieut Louvrin is on gaurd to day. a nice day for it.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Friday 21
     Still blowing very hard had a cold
     Night of it on the old boat.  but we
     Got ashore this morning about 9[?] Ock
     It was very rough and we got well wet
     In the operation there was 2 or 3
     Large Gun Boats arrived yesterday
     With soldiers on board.  Butler has not
     Landed yet.

March 20, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     20-Thursday

     The long looked for Mississippi has at last arrived. and has on board Major Gen’l Butler and a portion of his staff 
     Harry Wigel came on shore and run us while we were on drill this morning was very glad to see him. now we shall soon know who are to be the Officers of the Mass 30th Capt & I have some notion of going home at any rate luck do not know fully as yet. Col Dudley was on shore and looked the Regiment over a little at dress parade but was not introduced to us. will be tomorrow

     Col French tells us that he will appear as our immediate Commander no more. he thanked the present officers very kindly for their attention to his orders while he has been in command and seemed to feel very bad to think some one was to fill his and some of our places.

     The Mississippi has [---] Captain and mate in [---]. for [---] her on shore it seems they run her on shore 3 times on her trip. then the vessel was put into the hands of a sailing mas-ter who brought her into port.

     The Western Bay State Regiment is on board and a fourth of the N.H. 8th cannot land them to day on account of the rough state of weather.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Thursday, March 20, 1862.
     We had a hard blow last night
     And a cold morning.  i had to go on
     Board the Lewis and go on fatigue
     Duty unloading the Ship and ??????
     1 Coming up to ??? had to stay all
     Night.  the steamer Missisippi
     Come in this morn with Butler
     And Staff on board and some
     Other troops for the army.

March 10, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:
Portions from this letter moved  to the dates that they refer to (treated as thought they were a diary entry. 

     Ship Island, March 10, 1862.
     Dear:
     As there is a mail going to-morrow, I will write. My last was sent in the South Carolina, by way of Key West. I wrote you of the scouting party to Horn Island, which island used to be a breeding ranch, owned by Southerners. I received a letter dated March 6, by way of Fortress Monroe, dated February 12, directed to father.
...March 7
...March 9
     March 10, 1862. Troops are being landed; all is confusion on the wharf. I have pitched the tents for our tenth company. The ship Ocean Pearl arrived with horses, of which they lost ten on the passage. Captain Jones has been discharged for knocking down a contraband on the steamer; father knows him. Parker has received his papers as Postmaster. We have quite a large fleet here now, and I don't think we shall stop here long after the General arrives. I think it will be a pity if Colonel French has to go home, after he has worked so hard to drill the regiment. We had a brigade drill this afternoon, consisting of four regiments; it was a grand sight. We draw ten days' rations to-morrow for the regiment.
...March 11

     SON AND BROTHER WARREN.


2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     March 10-Monday
     Morning salty and very warm Idaho still by aground although they have thrown a number of Barrels of provisions from on board into the sea. Salt Beef, Rice etc. this seems a pity when there are a many men on the Island
     This morning another War Vessell arrived here but not the one long looked for in which is Gen. Butler Barney McCabe came on shore to day and is now in our Company he was arrested in Sewall just before the Idaho sailed. Ansart has not arrived yet.
     The Maine & Vermont Batterys have both come ashore to day and camped on our parade ground. the Connecticut and Maine Regiments have Encamped on the South shore of the Island up above the 26th Reg’t. we must now have some 8,000 men on the Island. this makes quite a force. but I do not think enough to take New Orleans. though I think we may have an opportunity to see before long.
     Today we had our first experience in Brigade drills. 4 Regiments under command of Brig. Gen’l Phelps, it must have been a fine shore for a Spectator we had a very nice drill though a little severe for our first attempt.
     Today I finished my equestrian portrait of our honorable Gov of Massachusetts, his excellency John A Andrews. who has sent us out a lot of his young aspirant for military honors Bah= all in my eye. I don’t see it in that light. Cilligians and Greek Scholars are not the men for our expedition it wants different kind of Stock, especially when they acknowledge thy have no military experience whatever.
     This day seems winding up with a Thunder shower and rains quite fast.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:

     Monday 10

     A fine day again i go on fatigue

     Duty to day with the guard.

     There is a great many arrivals[?]

     Of strangers here every day

     There is a large gang of men

     Here to work on the fort and

     Build other large buildings.

     There was 4 Mules landed Saturday

     For working here in carts.

March 9, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
Diary:
     March 9, 1862. Monday. Company K, our tenth company, joined us. This is a dreary place to bring troops; where the wind blows the sand drifts like snow. It is hard to make the tent pins secure in such ground. I was pleased to meet father here, he having preceded me and was in charge of some mechanics who have erected building for storage, etc. Our regimental store-house is occupied in part, at one end, by the sutler. The boys wanted some of his lager beer, so Sergeant Fay and I tied a small rope to a pail and one of us went over the partition and turned the faucet, repeating our raids until the barrel was empty. There being no friendship or mercy shown for sutlers* nothing was done about it.

From a Letter:  Dated March 10th
     March 9, 1862. The ship Idaho arrived, bringing a tenth company with their batteries. A member of Company C died and was buried under arms to-day. The Chaplain preached a short sermon, the text was: "He that is not with me, is against me." We all like the Chaplain very much.
 

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     March 9-Sunday
     A very pleasant day. inspection by Company commanders in Regimental line on Reg’t parade ground.
     Services in Afternoon by Dr. Clinton text those who are not with me are against me he illustrated by comparing our war with Sucess like this. those that are not Union or loyal must be Secesh there can be no ½ way in the matter. this is his argument on religion and it may be a true one.
     Capt Brown buried that morn of his to day. had the Connecticut Band, the Maine Regiment 12th also buried one. they had the 26th Band. Browns man was a Catholic and the Priest Officiated.
     Our new Officers seem to be shunned by all of our present Officers and well may they be. for no one of us knows but our own head is to be out off to make room for them. and not many of us seem to care much. they have doubtlessly heard some remarks not very pleasant to their ears.
     Lieut Frost has been down and paid us a short visit this eve had quite a nice little talk.
     Col Jones and one of his Companys I. I believe, went over to Mississippi City. and after proceeding up the Wharf some 350 feet discovered a body of Rebels awaiting them with a Battery, with which they poured in a volley of Grape and had they followed up their advantage. would no doubt have either killed or taken prisoners the whole lot. Jones men were not loaded nor had they bayonets fixed. one man only was wounded and he not severely.
     Steamers supposed to be the Mississippi has been laying off all day. the Idaho has at last arrived, but like all the rest of this unlucky division, she is aground near the other shore, under the protecting wing of one of our Gun Boats.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:

     Sunday 9

     Fine again.  the ship Idaho was

     Run aground near bat[?] Island they

     Lay on an oyster bed.  there was a

     Member of Co. C burried the PM.

     And one of the 12th Maine Regt.

     But the men are getting

     Healthy again.

March 8, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     March 8-Saturday
     Steamer Fulton arrived here this morning she has the Maine 13 a portion of it, & the Connecticut 12th on board reports the Mississippi within 20 hours sail of her with Major General Butler on board and our 10th company.
     Tremendous Excitement!! at Camp Thompson
     Time 11 O Clock AM 5 Offices 1st & 2nd Lieutenants have come on shore from the Fulton for our Regiment. it seems that Major Gen. Butler has been beaten by Gov. Andrews and the results is that we have a Colonel Dudley. Lieut. Col Lincoln, and Major Whitemore besides any quantity of Lieuts. it seems as though we are to have a change in our Officers. these men having their Commission have the advantage of us. all our Lieuts are shaking in their boots every one thinking it is him of course.
     Today a member of Comp E Thomas Hare. died from a fit of Appoplexy is to be buried tomorrow.
     Today our uniforms Coats have been given out and fitted to our men but they are shocking fits.
     Lieut Willey has returned it seems he got blown out to sea and could not get back went way out to rebel shore and came near being taken

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:

     Saturday, March 8, 1862

     Fine again the steamer fulton[?]

     And ship oceon pearl arrived

     This morn with the Conn 12th

     Maine 13th & 800 of the 14th Maine

     Regt. on board from camp chase

     Which they left about Feby. 7th

     The ship idahoe arrived below[?] with

     3 Batty. on board ??? Mass. Maine 1st

     And Vermont 1st on board.

February 18, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     February 18-Tuesday
     In fatigue & Police duty with the whole Company to day. our first duty was leveling up the encampment and filling holes. 2nd getting a requisition of lumber 6400 feet of boards. and 1400 “ of old lumber to build Quartermaster store house. bringing these boards from wharf to camp on our mens shoulders. 3rd pitching tents for Colonel & Major lugging stores for commissary.
     The Conant boys out with knap-sacks fully equipped for Shirks drill for not turning out at roll call.
     Gun boat arrived to night with Paymaster Watson and his company of money deliverers on board. they report the Pensacola run aground on Florida reefs where she lay some 7 or days, stove a hole in her bottom. and they were com-pelled to throw over her guns and everything of any weight in order to get her off.
     By order of Col French the Officers of E.B.S. Reg’t. (of nobodys any without any authority or legal right or in other words the unorganized mob from Massachusetts) attend School for the instruction of said Officers. Lesson to night on the manual of arms as far as Aim. had quite a variety of ways for the manual, not laid down in Hardee
 
Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Tuesday, February 18, 1862
     Still rainy.  just come off
     Guard duty.  next 24 hours
     Nothing but police duty and dress
     Parade went up to the sutlers
     And when i came back was checked
     By sargeant.  Knapsack drill for
     The first time tomorrow.

February 6, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
Diary:
     February 6 to 12, 1862. Had good weather and a fine sail. On the 12th, we dropped anchor near Ship Island and landed at once. I was very busy getting tents and stores ashore. Our camp is near Camp Thompson.


From a Letter:
     On Board Constitution, February 6, 1862.
     Set sail again at 3 p. m. The pilot left ua at Cape Henry. While we were at supper, a jar of the vessel startled us. It proved to be a collision with a schooner. Our Captain saw her coming and stopped, turning from his own course; she struck our quarter and no damage was done.


2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     February 6-Thursday
     Commenced raining last night and continues this morning. quite stormy.
     We had a visit from Adjutant Gen. Schouler this forenoon he says the State Aid laws has passed by a unanimous vote both the Senate & Legislation over Gov. Andrews vetos. this will make a much different feeling among our men.
     A mail steamer came into Port who has the appearance of being fired into.
     4 O Clock P.M. once more started on our voyage and if nothing new turns up we don’t work or pick up any stray vessels on our way and have to put back. we shall probably get some where sometime or other or somewhere else.
     6 O Clock P.M. struck a schooner lowered a boat and went where she was and she wasn’t there having gone on his way rejoicing probably that she got off so easily.
     Find my health is on the improve having eaten supper to night. the first meal for 3 or 4 times.


Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Thursday, February 6, 1862
     We sailed again at 4 Ock this PM
     And are going along first
     Rate. the men all in first
     Rate condition and happy as
     Can be expected.

February 1, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:

From a Letter:

     Camp Stanton, Fort Monroe, Va., February 1, 1862. Dear:

     I will begin my letter by saying I am O. K. My discharge was obtained from the War Department by order of General McClellan, through the intercession of General Butler. I have felt very anxious ever since I landed and am very much pleased to know that everything is satisfactory at last. If I hadn't obtained my rank after working so hard with the regiment, I should have felt like—well, no matter what. I am sitting on a camp stool in Captain Blanchard's quarters. On my left, the Captain's servant is peeling potatoes. Lieutenant Fiske is reclining on a couch, reading Yankee Notions; behind him a drummer boy is writing home, and such is camp life.

     I have to see to the provisions and wood, assisted by Commissary Fay. These are obtained from the Fortress. I wish you to send my equipment, viz., knapsack, haversack and canteen, to Captain Davis. The boys are all pleased to know that I have obtained my discharge and promotion. There has been quite a controversy between Governor Andrew and General Butler through the War Department in regard to which one has the right to commission the officers. I hope the General will come out all right. You must not believe all the statements in the Boston papers in regard to any subject, but the letters which come directly from the soldiers. The paper correspondent does more injury than good.

     Colonel Shepley has been to Washington and received sailing orders. The steamer is taking on supplies. The Maine Regiment goes aboard to-day. I met George Richardson with whom I used to attend school. He is Purser's Clerk on the Pensacola. I went alongside and sent my letter by him to father. The Pensacola is going to the Gulf and is the vessel that ran the blockade on the Potomac. There are a number of vessels in the Roads. I shall send some money in my next letter, which will be when we sail. You can deposit or use it, as you like.

     I will write you my position at night. I have two large cord wood sticks which I place the width of my body apart; on these I pile a sand pillow, then spread my rubber blanket out, put the red blanket over that, roll two others around me and "lay me down to sleep." " Such is life." Tell S. A. B. I haven't forgotten my promise to write her and that I will do so after we arrive at our destination. Tell Nettie W. I don't refuse two pieces of pie, if she will send them to me. Give my regards to every one who may inquire. My next when we sail.

     SON AND BROTHER WARREN.

2d Lieut. Elliot:

Diary:

     February 1-Saturday

     Weather very stormy

     A.A. Gilson sent to the Hospital this morning. Crazy or foolish we know not which. he made an attempt to jump overboard from the Constitution this morn but was prevented by the attendants I guess if they had not have stopped him he would not have jumped out of reach.

     Capt Shipley is Officer of the day.

     Lieut. Claiborne arrived here this morning has been sick. 

     Constitution has hauled up stream and is taking in coal.

     Merrimac is expected down every night to run the blockade she will have a fine time doing it for there are some 3 or 4 Frigates ready for her besides the guns from the fort.

     The Company’s had to pay $3.00 each for a target that comp. B. under the direction of Lieut. Farrons. broke to pieces and stole. they used the boards for a cook house. and we pay for them. this is military justice.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Saturday, February 1

     We are all tired of stopping

     Here.

January 29, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     January 29-Wednesday
     Very pleasant to day and quite warm very different from our weather at home. one can hardly realize that there is at the present time about 18 inches of snow on the ground there.
     We have to day our first Batt-allion drill this afternoon the first one since we arrived here and a very good one con-sidering the difficulties under which we have to labor.
     I hope we shall get sometime to our destination and know what we are here for and what authority we are to have to act under.

Steamer Constitution

THE STEAMSHIP "CONSTITUTION" LEAVING BOSTON WITH TROOPS ON GENERAL BUTLER'S SOUTHERN EXPEDITION.  
Image available at: Sons of the South

     Transporting the 30th Massachusetts from Boston to the South for war should have been a fairly straightforward operation.  A number of other units that would ultimately be sent to the same area where the 30th would end up simply employed civilian forms of transportation such as steamships hired for use by the government.  An example of how the process should have worked out can be seen with the transportation of the 9th Connecticut Infantry on board the Steamship "Constitution" (depicted in the image above) on November 21, 1861.

The commander of the ship itself was Capt. Fuller, a veteran of the wave, and some 50 years of age. It was stated that the government was paying $2,000 per day for the use of the Constitution. (1)

      A description of the sailing accompanied the above image in the December 7, 1861 issue of Harper's Weekly.

GENERAL BUTLER'S NEW EXPEDITION.

WE publish on page 780 an illustration of the EMBARKATION OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH MASSACHUSETTS AND NINTH CONNECTICUT REGIMENTS ON BOARD THE STEAMER "CONSTITUTION," which is to sail shortly for a Southern point, to land an expedition to be commanded by General Butler. A correspondent of the Herald thus described the arrival of the Constitution at Boston :

The expected steamer Constitution arrived at half past ten this morning, and as she rounded up to the end of Long Wharf an immense concourse of people gazed in admiration at her perfect model and the beauty of her lines. She reached this port last night, but anchored off the lower light until morning.

She made the trip from New York in twenty-nine hours and ten minutes, and so thoroughly did she work that her engines were never stopped from the moment she started until she anchored at Boston. This, in a new ship, is almost unprecedented. She is the largest ship ever built on this continent, and the largest wooden steamer in the world; but she hardly rolled at all, although it blew a perfect gale during the whole of her passage.

It is stated that her capacities will be severely tested in carrying three thousand soldiers, but I am assured by Mr. Culver, who was the assistant superintendent in building her, that she can carry that number with ease and comfort. She is of 3500 tons burden. (2)

     The November 16th edition of The New York Times offers yet another description of the Constitution.

The new ocean steamship constitution, which has just been completed for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and intended for the passenger traffic between Panama and San Francisco, leaves to-day at noon, for Boston, from her anchorage opposite Canal-street. She has been chartered by Gen. BUTLER to convey a portion of his Division from Boston to some, as yet, unknown point on the Southern Coast. Her great capacity and, at the same time, her moderate draft of water when loaded, render her one of the most desirable steamers afloat for transport service. She will probably accommodate comfortably more passengers than any ship of equal tonnage which has ever been constructed in this country. By the use of her Sewell's condenser -- a patent arrangement -- over 30,000 gallons of fresh water daily can be made from salt water while lying in port. Besides her wheel condenser, site has a Normanby apparatus of large condensing capacity. Her tanks hold over 20,000 gallons. The ship is 350 feet in length, over all, 45 feet breadth of beam, not including paddle-boxes; 32 feet depth of hold and 40 feet deep from upper deck. Her engines were put in at the Novelty Works, under the supervision of Mr. EVERETT, and is a master-piece of work. The walking-beam weighs 30 tons. The cylinder is 105 inches in diameter, and stroke of piston 12 feet. Diameter of air-pump 4 feet 10 inches. Stroke, 6 feet. Diameter of circulating pump 4 feet 2 inches, stroke 4 feet 9 inches. She has 4 main boilers of 32 feet length and 13 feet 3 inches in diameter. There are also 4 single return boilers of 40 inches diameter, and one auxiliary boiler to drive the donkey-engine, giving her very great boiler capacity. The diameter of shaft is 23 inches, and diameter of paddle-wheels 40 feet out-side of buckets. She is in command of Capt. FLETCHER, one of the most experienced and popular of commanders, her engineer being Mr. VANDERBILT, long and favorably known in ocean steamship service. During the trial trip on Thursday the machinery worked with the greatest case, and gave entire satisfaction. She attained 14 revolutions with 20 pounds of steam. The Constitution was built by WM. H. WEBB. from models and plans by Capt. SKIDDY, who superintended her construction from the laying of the keel to her launching, assisted by Capt. ALLEN MCLANE. (3)

     For the 30th and units joining it on board the Constitution the situation should have been a straightforward passage just as the 9th had encountered.  At the time when the 30th prepared to leave Boston it was fairly large regiment, and its men did not yet know that they would be met by several delays...both before and after they actually left the city.

Jan. 2, it went on board "The Constitution" at Boston; sailed on the 13th, and arrived at Fortress Monroe on the 16th, with 926 men and 25 officers, under command of Acting Lieut.-Col. Jonas H. French. On the 20th, it disembarked, and went into camp. On the 2d of February, it re-embarked, sailed on the 6th, and arrived at Ship Island on the 12th of February. Hero it went into camp, and, on the 9th of March, was joined by Company K, Capt. Cook, with 96 men. (4)

      The delays that kept the Constitution and the 30th from sailing and later being held over at Fortress Monroe were caused largely by a disagreement between Gov. Andrew of Massachusetts and General Ben Butler who raised the Division to which the Eastern Bay State Regiment (later 30th Massachusetts) belonged.  The disagreement lay essentially in Gov. Andrew not believing that General Butler had the proper authority to raise regiments within his own state (more will be written on this topic in a future post).  Before this ship could depart from Boston the issue was beginning to make its way from a military issue to one being covered by the civilian press.  A post from the Boston Post (January 12, 1861) reprinted two days later in The New York Times gave some details on the surrounding events.

THE TEMPORARY DETENTION.; EASTERN BAY STATE REGIMENT. MOUNTED RIFLE RANGERS. LIGHT CAVALRY. TWELFTH MAINE REGIMENT.

Published: January 14, 1862

From the Boston Post, Jan. 12.

Considerable public excitement was caused on Friday and Saturday by the unpleasant rumors, too freely circulated, relative to Gen. BUTLER's expedition, and by the shirting character of the programme announced. It was allowed that a temporary delay had occurred in Die sailing of the Constitution, and that measures had been taken to disembark the two regiments of infantry and one company of artillery that had been aboard of her for a week,but beyond these facts all was mystery. The probability that the Government had an idea of changing the destination of the troops from Ship Island to some more important point, and the decided folly of keeping 2,500 men cooped up aboard a steamship in our harbor at an expense of $2,500 per day, strengthened the belief that the delay was temporary only, and that, the "Butler Expedition" was by no means "to be broken up."

In accordance with the dispatch ordering the Maine Regiment to Camp Chase and the Eastern Bay State to Fort Independence, measures were taken to unload the great ship and disembark her troop, in order to give her up at the end of a month, allowing but about Six days' time. A portion of Col. FRENCH's regiment, comprising several companies, were accordingly sent down to the fort by a tugboat Saturday, with a load of camp equipage, provisions, &c., and another was all ready to go, when an order was received, late in the afternoon, countermanding the former, and ordering the departure of the troops immediately. The troops and munitions were brought back from the Fort, and those who had a furlough till Monday had it remanded, indicating that "a movement was to be expected" at once. The Sunday Herald said: "Meanwhile Gen. BUTLER was under stood to have started for Washington, Gov. ANDREW was booked for the same pilgrimage, while Col. SREPLKY had gone to Lowell to await' his regiment. Telegrams were cent the pilgrims to return," &c., &c. The steamer was to have sailed yesterday, but her departure was postponed until this morning on account of the storm. It is stated that Gen. BUTLER will first go to Washington, and then join the troops at Forties Monroe.

The following are the rosters of the regiments aboard the Constitution:

Lieutenant-Colonel, JONAS H. FRENCH, Boston; Adjutant. Charles A.R Drimon, Salem; Surgeon, Charles W. Moore, Boston; Assistant Surgeon, A.F Halt; Quartemaster, John M.G. Parker, Lowell; Sergeant-Major, Selden H. Loring, Marlborough; Commissary-Sergeant, H.W. Fay, Boston; Quarter-master-Sergeant, H.W. Howe, Lowell; Hospital Steward, Joseph Davis, West Medford.

Company A -- Captain, H.C. Welles, Cambridge; First Lieutenant, W. Greene Howe, Cambridge; Second Lieutenant. C.F. Whitcomb, Cambridge. Company B -- Captain. C. Blanchard, Lowell; First Lieutenant, James Parson, Lowell; Second Lieutenant, E.A. Fiske, Lowell. Company C -- Captain, S.D. Shipley, Lowell; First Lieutenant, Wm. F. Lovrien, Lowell; Second Lieutenant, R.A. Elliot, Lowell. Company D -- Captain, Marsh A. Ferirs. Boston; First Lieutenant, B.P. Fox, Boston; Second Lieutenant, N.R. Reed, Lowell. Company E -- Captain, Robert B. Brown, Boston; First Lieutenant, John Kinneor, Boston; Second Lieutenant, W.H. Gardner, Boston. Company F -- Captain, T.A. Crowley, Lowell; First Lieutenant, Burt Johnson, Lowell; Second lieutenant, A.H. Fuller, Boston. Company G -- Capt, D.S. Yeaton, Lawrence; First Lieutenant, F.H. Whiltier, Lawrence; Second Lieutenant, F.M, Norcross, Lowell, Company H -- Captain, John A. Nelson, Hartford, Conn.; First Lieutenant, Henry Finnegas, Boston; Second Lieutenant, Wm. B, Emerson. Company I (Fire Zouaves) -- Captain, Eugene Kelty, Boston; First Lieutenant, Geo. Barker, New-beryport; Second Lieutenant, Jas. W. Claiborne, Philadelphia, Penn.

Attached to this regiment by order from Head-Quarters:

First Division -- Captain, S. Tyler Reed; First Lieutenant, Jno. Cowen; Second Lieutenant, Benj. Pickman, Salem.

Second Division -- Captain, James M. Magee; First Lieutenan, A.G. Bowies; Second Lieutenant, P.D. Allen, Salem.

Captain, H.A. Dunvage; First Lieutenant, Solon A. Perkins; Second Lieutenant, E.E.H. Sturtivant.

Colonel, GEORGE F. SHEPLEY, Portland; Lieutenant-Colonel, William K. Kimball, Paris; Major, D.R. Hastings, Lovell; Quartermaster, H.N. Jose, Portland; Adjutant, Edwin Lesley, Limerick, Assistant Surgeon, J.H. Thompson, Orono; Chaplain, Joseph Colby, Gorham; Sergeant-Major, John W. Dana, Portland; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Charles D. Webb, Portland; Hospital Steward, Sargent P. Coe, Portland.

Co. A -- Captain, Gideon A. Hastings, Bethel; First Lieutenant, Elbridge G. Bolton, Portland; Second Lieutenant, E. Goddard, Rumford. Co. B -- Captain, Geo. H. Chadwell, Portland; First Lieutenant, Chas. F. Little, Portland; Second Lieutenant, S. Bolivar Wiggin, Portland. Co. C -- Captain, Chas, C.G. Thornton, Scarboro'; First Lieutenant, Wm. W. Deane, Portland; Second Lieutenant, Horatio Right, Scarboro'. Co. D -- Captain, Elisha Winter, Dixfield; First Lieutenant, Henry E. Waldron, Pern; Second Lieutenant, Christopher C, Richardson, Dixfield. Co. E -- Captain, Enoch Knight, Bridgton; First Lieutenant, Horace Eastman, Lovell; Second Lieutenant, H.S. Lowell, Windham. Co. F -- Captain, Seth C. Farrington, Fryeburg; First Lieutenant. Abbot Cram, Orono; Second Lieutenant, Edward H.B. Wilson, Orono. Co. G -- Captain, Moses M. Robinson, Portland; First Lieutenant, S.B. Packard, Auburn; Second Lieutenant, Wm. B. Skillin, Yarmouth. Co. H -- Captain, John F. Appleton, Bangor; First Lieutenant, D.M. Phillips, Gorham: second Lieutenant, George Webster, Bangor. Co. I -- Captain, M.R. Fessenden, Portland; First Lieutenant, S.F. Thompson, Bangor; Second Lieutenant, Coombs, Bangor. Co. K -- Captain, Geo. Washburn, Calais: First Lieutenant. James S. Cleaves, Calais; Second Lieutenant, Samuel M. Eaton, Gorham. (5)

(1) History of The Ninth Regiment C.V. (Chap. 3, p. 54).
(2) Harper's Weekly (Dec. 7 1861)
(3) The New York Times (November 16, 1861)
(4) Massachusetts in the rebellion: a record of the historical position of the commonwealth, and the services of the leading statesmen, the military, the colleges, and the people, in the civil war of 1861-65. (p335)
(5) The New York Times (January 14, 1861)

January 7, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:
     January 7, 1862.
     Tuesday. Went ashore to see about my transfer from my company at Fort Monroe to the 30th Massachusetts Regiment. Lieutenant Weigel is to write to the Captain in reference to it. Called at the Normal School to see cousin Ellenette. Got back in time for dinner. An Indian squaw is on board; she is quite handsome, her husband is a Zouave soldier. We were obliged to handcuff a man for trying to desert. Rumor is, that we are going ashore at Fort Warren to await orders. I hope not. Some of the men were disposed to make trouble last night, but were quieted.

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     January 7-Tuesday
     Weather still continues very cold and no prospect of a change at present. if we should once start our men would feel better and be more contented but as it is there are vague insinuations about the authority by which they are holden. besides mur-murings about the State Aid this one thing alone has caused us more trouble than all the many Regiments in the field have had through their whole campaign. and I hope it may soon have an end or men are all Mass Volunteer as much as any the Reg’t that ever hailed from there.

January 5, 1862

Long Wharf, Boston
Image at http://www.13thmass.org
Courtesy of the Boston Public Library

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     January 5-Sunday
     Still in Boston on board transport Constitution. no sailing orders as yet. men are grumbling about State Aid and being held illegally and all sort of stories. 
     Gov. Andrews has raised the deuce with our Regiment in fact we would have one of the best that ever left Massachusetts if they could have been used like men. But no we are treated by Massachusetts Executer as an illegally raised body of men with no rights or power and we Officers no commissions therefore no command over the men. but this it would not at the present time do to let be known. 
     General Butler says we shall have our commissions and we have recieved one months pay as Officers therefore I think we shall in the end come out right side up. for I have confidence and faith enough in his talent. and his authority in the present case. to be willing to follow his fortunes in this war. and I am agoing to if I do not get killed too soon. or die by sickness.