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

Colonel Hallowell on June 4 informed Governor Andrew that the regiment had not been paid, and requested that he demand of the Secretary of War that the Fifty-fourth be paid or sent to Massachusetts for muster-out, as the contract was broken.

For the further security of Black Island, early in May, Company E was ordered to encamp within the fort to guard against sudden attack; and Lieutenant Spear, in charge of the picket-boats from there, placed a boom of barrels, connected by chains, across the creek, in advance of his night stations. While visiting the pickets in the patrolboat after dark, Captain Homans on one occasion discovered a floating torpedo, which he secured and brought to Black Island. It was made of staves, cigar-shaped, with a large cap to explode by contact.

Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper assumed command of the ‘Defences of Lighthouse Inlet’ on May 7. They included Black Island, Battery Purviance, and Fort Green, on Folly Island, opposite Purviance. These two batteries mounted thirty-pounder Parrotts for offensive purposes against James Island. Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper made his headquarters at Fort Green. Captain Tucker, with Company H, left Black Island and relieved Lieutenant-Colonel Fox and Companies A and F, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, at Fort Green on the 7th. Company I, under Lieut. Lewis Reed, took the place of Company H at Black Island.

A rude structure of logs raised above the marsh had been built by the Confederates near the water-ways toward James Island. We called it ‘Block House No. 1.’ Lieutenant