The National tribune., 1899-05-11
THE THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE.
History Ct Gallant Regiments Four Years Service at the
Front.
By CAPT. D. ELpREDGE, Eoston, Mass

! ton for Annapolis, the point selected fol
embarkation. Here we drilled and did al
acts to properly fit us for whatever might
be required. The troops to embark were
n. V. sth Me-. 5th Me-, Pennsylvania
Itoundheads, 50;h Pa, Sth Mich, 18th
N. Y, 4,h N. H., 9Th Conn, Hamilton S
Light Battery, a battalion of 1st N. Y.
Engs., and Sd n. |. Art. Brig.-Gen. ThOs.
w. Sherman commanded the whole, which
was in three brigades. Gen. Egbert l..
Niele, Gen. Isaac |. Stevens, Gen. HOratiO
G. Wright were brigade commanders. AT
Annapolis we were presented with another
flag at the hands of Mrs. Gen. Viele, these
gifts extending to each regiment of heI
husbands brigade. The presentation
took place on the college green on Oct. 16,
and Gov. Hicks took part in the cere-
monies.
Upon our arrival at Annapolis we were
quartered in the Academy buildings, but
hard floors were not conducive TO our
comfort, and in a few days we were en-
camped on the banks of the Severn River,
where we rested better, albeit we lay
down in an ancient cemetery. On Oct:
15, 1851, the embarkatiOn began; the 3d
N. ii. going on board the ocean steamer
Atlantic, which we were proud TO say
was the Headquarters of Gen. sherman
and staff A few days later saw all the
troops at Fortress Monroe, in their re-
spective transports. Twas an inspiring
scene, in the Roads, nearly filled as it
was with laden transports and armed
vessels of various sizes. Gen. Sherman
here further organized his forces, and the
great work went on day and night, OF
coaling, provisioning and watering the
fleet, beside putting on board the am
munition and many other requisites.
We were paid off while lying here at
anchor. After many false reports of start
ing, we at length left Hampton lioads on
Oct. 30, steaming out into the broad At
llntic in the early morn, ard tor the un-
known port. The starting of the fleet was
a magnificent sight. The Wabash, flag
ship OF Commodore DUPONT, taking the
lead, closely followed by the Atlantic.
The fleet went in n southcrly direction,
following the coast, and on Nov. a a por-
ton of it arrived off Port Royal, S. c.
Meantime Il terrible storm had been en-
countered, and the feet scattered, some
going down, some driven on shore, while
others put back.
We were off Port Royal, the entrance
being guarded by a considerable battery
upon either side. On the southerly side
was the island of Hilton Head, on which
was the work named Fort Walker, with
about 20 guns, and across the bay, some
three miles, was Fort Beauregard with d
much lesser armament.
The attack by US, wholly naval, was on
the 7th, and lasted from about a. m. to
about l p. nj. The transports were Just
out of range, but near enough to permit
the impatient troops to see the whole
affair. The men were ready, and boats
were alongside TO convey them ashore if
needed, but the navy was equal to the
task in hand.
The Sd N. II. was not landed until Oct.
8, when we at once went into camp in a
cottolfield, about a mile from Fort
Walker, pulling up the cotton stalls and
leveling the ground for tents. Here we
remained until April. 1852. Meantime, we
sent heavy details to various parts of the
island for the manifold duties required of
soldiers, including the telling of trees for
palisades and wheelbarrow work on the
protecting fortifcation ordered by Gen.
Sherman to be erected upon the island.
The Sd and several other regiments were
entirely outside this line of works.
In March we were sent to Dawfuskie
Island on sort of reconnaissance, but
met no enemy. While there,
say, two days, we were taken in boats
md crossed the Savannah River, to a b.!
mud fort erected and maintained by our