1 Bucks County Intelligencer, From the 104th Regiment. May 3, 1864 Page 3 Col. 4 1
From the 104th Regiment.
MORRIS ISLAND, S. C.,
April 22d, 1864.
Messrs. Editors :—We are about to “ git “ from Morris,
but a few lines before we leave. Companies E and K are
now quartered near Post Head-quarters, performing the rou-
tine of Provost duty. We relieved the 9th Maine, who have
gone on an excursion Northward, with many others, for what
purpose and to what place will not be fit and proper to place
before the public.
Capt. Harvey is assigned to duty here as Provost Marshal,
with Lieut. Cadwallader as his assistant. They both with
the junior officers under them—Lieutenants Glase and Cra-
ven—perform their duties with much credit to the troops
under them
Col. Davis and Major Rogers left yesterday for the Head.
Col. Davis relieves Col. Howell, of the 85th Penna., who at
present is Commandant of the Post. I had a ride to the
camp of the 104th on a splendid pony; such time I have not
experienced since at home in Bucks in the year ‘61.
HILTON HEAD, S. C., April 25th, 1864.
I shall now finish the epistle, although we are far from be-
ing fixed. Companies D, E and K are quartered in wedge
tents in the suburbs of the town. The remainder of the com-
panies are quartered in a large building down in the town.
We are to relieve the 6th Conn. Regiment, and when they
vamose we will occupy their camp, and assume the duties
they are at present performing—Provost Marshal duty.
We broke camp on Morris Island on the evening of the 23d,
marched to the wharf, and crossed over to Folly on the steam-
er Wm. Fraizer. Thence immediately we proceeded on-
ward to Pawnee Landing, where we bivouacked for the night.
On the following day at 10 A. M., Companies A, F and D
marched on board the Peconic with the baggage, &c., and
steamed off. Immediately followed Companies H, C, G, I,
K, E, and B, on the steamer Canonicus, and with a bright
sun, and calm as any one could wish, followed after until we
caught up at the lower landing of Folly, when we steamed
ahead and were soon tossed by the tempestuous waves of the
mighty deep. Although the sea was calm, many of the boys
had to pay their respects to the powers that be.
After a six hour’s journey we brought up to the wharf at
the Head, and were soon unloaded, while the Lieut-Col.
with his squad and the Peconic were far behind. They did
not arrive until nearly nine in the evening. We like the ap-
pearance of things much better here than at Morris, and will
no doubt soon live in all the grandeur that is due a soldier.
Last evening Captains Corcoran, Groff, Scarborough and
Lieut. Cadwallader, paid their compliments to Major-Gen.
Quincy Adams Gillmore. The General was pleased to have
their company before his departure, and the officers were de-
lighted with the entertainment given them. They enjoyed
the round hours with a sociable chat, the General evincing
much confidence in the commander, Col. Davis, and all the
officers and troops. When the officers informed the General
that they would be pleased to follow him, he replied, “ I
must leave a good commander and some good troops, “
I would cheerfully take you with me. “ When we first came
into this Department we were hooted at by some of the New
England troops, but were not long in the Department before
the 104th was assigned the post of honor. Now we are left
here at the Head because of the confidence Gen. Gillmore
has placed in us.
The 104th bears a good name in this Department, as well
as it did on the Peninsula. As the mail soon closes, I can
but say that the officers who visited Gen. Gillmore last even-
ing were wonderfully pleased with the welcome reception
given them by the General. The General assured them they
would have good time here during the summer, which
would partly repay them for their hardships on Folly and
Morris Islands. The officers will long hold in remembrance
their visit to Gen. Gillmore’s head-quarters.
Yours, &c., T. C.