Emilio, Luis F., History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry , 1863-1865

At the camp, drills and parades had been resumed for some time. On April 3 the number of officers was increased by the arrival of Lieut. Edward L. Stevens, newly appointed. On April 12 the Eighth United States Colored Troops was added to our brigade. The Fifty-fifth Massachusetts since March 11 had been detached at Pilatka.

By this period in April regiments began to move from Florida. Pilatka was evacuated on the 14th. Several transports were sailing away daily, the men cheering, bands playing, and flags fluttering, as they departed. In the public square regiments drawn from the lines were bivouacked, awaiting embarkation. News was received that the steamers ‘General Hunter’ and ‘Maple Leaf’ had been blown up by torpedoes at Buckle's Bluff. Thus the two transports which had brought us to Florida were sunk in the St. John's.

April 17 was the last day of our sojourn in Florida. Line was formed at 9 A. M., and the march to the transport began. Passing into town, the regiment halted and presented arms at the headquarters of General Hatch, the district, and General Ames, the division commander. Embarkation was speedily effected. Major Ten Eyck paid the officers on board. At 11 A. M. the ‘Cosmopolitan’ steamed down river. Our transport was a noble craft, the hospital steamer of the department. As on our advent, the day of departure was delightful; and the vessel glided over the waters of the majestic river steadily and swiftly. Those few weeks in the ‘land of flowers’ left recollections never to be effaced of soft skies, beautiful plants, perfume of orange and magnolia, the resinous odor of the pines;