have the troops prepare, in light marching order, to land at short notice. We were confident the battle would be short and decisive, as the rebels could not withstand such terrible odds. As the battle raged, our boats directed a part of their fire into the woods that skirted the shore on Hilton Head. What could that be for? was the query; when it was announced that the rebels were routed and were retreating through the woods; and such we learned to be a fact, as they could easily be discerned by the glass, making their escape in that direction. A few more well-directed shots, and the firing ceased; then we knew the victory was ours. A boat was lowered and manned by a picked crew of man-of-wars men, who pulled for the shore with great speed, landed and made their way into the fort on Hilton Head and raised the glorious stars and stripes on the rebel flag staff. Words cannot describe the events that followed in a few brief moments. The battle had been waged precisely five hours when the victory was announced. Liberty was triumphant over the despotism of slavery. The different bands on the steamers struck up the national airs, songs were sung, and cheer after cheer

rent the air from thousands of throats, while the loud huzzas swept through the fleet like a whirlwind, and not a few prayers arose to the God of battles for giving us such a signal victory.

Thus was witnessed the first naval engagement of the war. Preparations were now made to land the troops, as it was feared the rebels would rally and contest the possession. The Connecticut troops were selected to land first, and the Sixth, with Lieut.Col. Ely in command, were put aboard the steamer Winfield Scott, while the Seventh, under Col. Terry, was in boats in tow of the steamer. The steamer ran as near the beach as she could, when we got into lighters and jumped into the swelling surf—a cold bath for us at 10 o’clock at night, with water up to armpits, our arms upstretched, with our rifles and cartridge boxes to “keep our powder dry;” but all were in good spirits and seemed willing to undergo any hardship to save the Union and the suppression of the infernal Rebellion.

We took possession of the rebel works after we landed, without making any formal demand therefor, and not until we landed did we know what dreadful havoc our shells had made; the sight beggars description. The dead and wounded lay in heaps, and the air resounded with groans and petitions for help. We built huge fires to dry ourselves, stationed our pickets and lay upon our arms, not daring to explore

the island very far the first night, for fear of an ambuscade. The night was spent without sleep, as we were thoroughly drenched through, and we were glad to hail the morning light. A detachment of three companies under Lieut.Col. Ely explored the lower part of the island, and met a few of the enemy who had not succeeded in getting away; had a brisk skirmish with them, in which they retreated. The detachment brought into camp two fine brass howitzers, with a valuable pair of horses, besides seventy other horses, six mules, six wagons, two yoke of oxen, together with other valuable property of a total value of $50,000; but no credit was ever given us, not even a quartermaster’s receipt.

The island of Hilton Head was very rich and fertile; the cotton fields were ripe, waiting for the second picking. The palmetto tree was green and the air as balmy as June. Sweet potatoes were plenty, to be had for the digging. Every building near the fort was riddled by our shells, while the tents were torn into shreds. Our surgeons provided for the wounded as well as they could with the means at hand. Many of the dead were literally torn to atoms, and some were half buried where they fell; guns were dismounted, army wagons smashed, and many fine horses and mules lay in heaps. During the bombardment, a rebel gunner, wearing a red shirt, was noticed by our fleet to occupy a very prominent

position on the parapet, and was seen to pat his gun every time he fired it, and we found one arm with a piece of red flannel upon it near the gun, which seemed to be all that was left of him; he was evidently blown to atoms. Those who succeeded in getting away alive must have beat a hasty retreat, for knapsacks, blankets and rifles lay in confusion all around, and were found at almost every step for miles through the woods. The armament of the fort was 22 heavy guns, most of which were rifled and of the most approved pattern; and two heavy globe-sight rifled cannon, the gift of some neutral English friends to the Confederate States.

For a short time Uncle Sam’s rations were at a discount, as the trophies of war in live stock seemed abundant. Pigs were roaming at will, only to be confiscated by a soldier; chickens and geese were found in large numbers, and we regaled our palates with sweet potatoes, sugar cane, roast pig and broiled chickens. The commissary stores of the rebels were probably larger at this time than during the latter days of the confederacy. But after a while of sumptuous living, we were obliged to fall back on our regular salt junk and hard tack.

After the stars and stripes, the State flag of Connecticut was the first to wave over South Carolina soil, and the Connecticut troops made the first advance into the interior. 120 head of beef cattle, numerous porkers,

large quantities of chickens and other fowls were brought in from the adjoining plantations in the days that followed, but these latter captures had to be turned over to the Quartermaster, except occasionally some fowl or porker that was slyly appropriated by a soldier for a “side dish” to accompany the junk and tack. We made frequent skirmishes over the island, but the foe had departed and the negroes were the sole occupants of the homes of their masters. The groves of orange trees at Seabrook’s plantation were very fragrant, and the ripe fruit was quickly disposed of as contraband of war. We scouted out to the plantation owned by one Graham, which was about five miles from Hilton Head. There we found quite a village of negroes, who seemed pleased to see the “Yankees,” as they termed us; and on our inquiry as to the whereabouts of their masters, their reply was, “I dunno, massa; dun gone for true dis time; spect him a right smart way off.” The plantation of “Squire Pope,” as the negroes called him, was a lovely place, indeed. The fine old southern mansion was situated in a large grove of live oak trees, with ample grounds neatly fenced. Large groves of orange trees, whose fragrance filled the air and gave evidence of the home of contentment and wealth, but the occupants had fled and left their household goods to the mercy of the soldiers. Two spacious libraries were in the house, filled with books. Heavy plate

glass mirrors and fine oil paintings adorned the walls, which, together with the rich furniture, made the place seem too good to be destroyed by the ruthless hand of war.

Our forces were busily engaged in unloading the transports of their cargoes; piles of lumber were brought ashore and three large storehouses were erected on the island to hold Uncle Sam’s rations; and everything indicated that Uncle Sam was to hold possession. Wheelbarrows, pickaxes and shovels were numerous, and we soon learned their use. A long line of earthworks was thrown up by the troops for protection from any advance that might be made. While we remained at Hilton Head we became very proficient with the shovel and pick, and for a time our rifles became rusty; but the same could not be said of our shovels.

The early months of winter, 1862-3, the Sixth remained on the island, perfecting themselves in drill and awaiting orders; and the 20th of January found us with orders to embark on a secret expedition under Gen. Wright. We were hurried aboard of the steamer Cosmopolitan, a boat much too small to