Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-23


vember the fleet began to rendezvous off
Hilton Head, S. c. On the 7th Of No
vember Dupont's memorable fight with
the forts took place and after they were
silenced, the 9th Maine was first to
land in South Carolina, Color Sergeant
u. T.. Shepard being the first man to
carry the stars and stripes into that
state after it seeded.
The regiment remained on duty for
two months and was engaged in forti-
flying Hilton Head Island against the
rebels. 1t was then made part of an
expeditionary corps to capture ports
farther south and again was the first
regiment thrown on shore at Ferdi
nandina, Fla, where it remained on
duty nearly a year. 1t was then re-
turned to Hilton Head and was a part
of the force sent to capture Morris Is
land preliminary to siege at Charles
ton. On the 9Th of July, 1868, it was
thrown on shore at Folly Island and on
the evening of the ninth was a part
of the 2500 picked men selected by Gen.
Strong to make a landing on Morris
Island. This force was embarked in
boats IN Folly river and during the
night pulled around to Folly inlet where
they rested on their oars.
The JTpita6 Stotar fnvoac ,,pIor Gov
Vodges, had, unknown to the enemy,
put in battery 40 cannon of heavy
calibre. At sunrise these batteries
opened on the Notifications at the lower
end of Morris Island. After an artillery
drill of an hour the boats pulled around
into Folly Inlet and landing in the
face of the enemy drove them through
their works. killing and wounding
several hundred of the enemy. They
captured many cannon and controlled
two-thirds the length of the island.
An able historian writing of this cap
ture of Morris Island says in substance:
In all the annals of war it does not
appear that body of infantry in boats
approaches an enemy's shore guarded
by infantry and artillery and effects
landing. 1t almost recalls William
the Norman at Hastings or Caesars
descent on Britain
On the morning of the 18th of July,
'63 the 9th Maine was one of three
regiments selected to make an assault
on FIT. Wagner. The assaulting forces
lost heavily and were repulsed. On the
night of July 10 it was again in Strong
brigade and made an assault on 1T.
Wagner. The brigade was literally cut
to pieces. Col Emery, Adj. Shepard
and 1--WE other officers We're wounded
and between 200 and 800 men were killed
and wounded. 1t was then determined
to reduce FIT. Wagner by approaches,
and the regiment was in the trenches
one day in three and from the 10th
day of July until the 7th day of Sep
TENDER was not out from under fire.
After the fall of Fort Wagner it was
for three months on out post duty on
Black Island, mile nearer Charleston
than any other force. In Feb, 1864.
416 of the men re-enlisted for three,
years more. Under a very severe fire
Adj. Shepard enlisted 200 men in one
afternoon for three years more which
shows something of the material of
which the regiment was made.
The regiment was thereupon sent
North upon its veteran furlough of 80
days, and instead of being returned to
the department of the South at the ex-
piration of the furlough, was sent to
Gloucester Point. Virginia, where the
10th and 18th corps were made into the
Army of the James. and under the COM
mand of Major General Ben Butler
were sent up the James river and the
9TH day of May We're thrown on shore
at Bermuda Hundreds.
On the 9th it was in action at Green
valley, ana on the 10Th was in the
attack at Drury's Bluff. 1t held the
extreme right of the line during the
day under severe fire, and when Gen.
Butler finally withdrew his forces the
9th, was in the rear guard at retreat.
1t was in several minor but severe
actions on the 21st and 23d of May
On the 9th of May, was in the force
which, under Badly" Smith, was sent
around to White House landing, to Join
the Armyof the Potomac. On henight of
the LIST of June it was in the brigade
that lead the assault on the enemv's
works. The brigade captured several
hundred prisoners and carried several
lines of rifle pits, losing very heavily.
On the 18th of June Grant moved the
Army of the Potomac directly to the
James river, and Badly" Smiths
forces were re-embarked and hurried
around by Fortress Monroe, up the
James river to lead the assault upon
Petersburg on the 18th of June. On the
30th of June 100 men were detailed