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General Gillmore had resolved upon an expedition to
Florida, which
General Halleck approved, but remarked that such movements had little effect upon the progress of our arms.
President Lincoln also desired to make
Florida a loyal State.
Gillmore's purposes were to secure an outlet for cotton, lumber, turpentine, and other products, cut off a source of the enemy's commissary supplies, obtain recruits for the colored regiments he was authorized to form, and to inaugurate measures to restore
Florida to her allegiance.
In darkness, at 3 A. M., on January 29, Companies C, F, G, H, I, and K, embarked on the steamer
J. B. Collins, the remaining ones on the steamer
Monohansett. The departure took place at 10 A. M. It was not known that the regiment would ever return, so notwithstanding the uninviting aspect of the sandy island, its fading lines were scanned by all with mingled feelings of attachment and regret.
Soon, however, the men began to chatter.
Cheery voices exclaimed: ‘No more fatigue at the front!’
‘We'll have a rest from the sound of the guns!’
‘No more longrolls,’ etc. Then they comfortably disposed themselves for the short voyage.
Hilton Head was made at 3.45 P. M. by the ‘Monohansett,’ and at 7 P. M. by the ‘
Collins,’ both vessels lying up at the pier.
The companies on the former
