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

[210] redoubt. They occasionally showed themselves, and threw out a skirmish line whenever we advanced. In the Stono the naval vessels at 8 A. M. were dressed with flags at the signal given from the admiral's flagship, Philadelphia. Pringle opened immediately after, and some of our vessels replied, occasioning a lively duel. Birney's brigade, of the Seventh, Thirty-fourth, and Thirty-fifth United States Colored Troops, landed on James Island that day, occupying a second line in rear of our right. Two thirty-pounder Parrotts were placed on the lines. Refreshing rain with a strong wind came in the afternoon. At the rifle trench held by the Fifty-fourth, Captain Emilio in command advanced twelve men to draw the enemy's fire, which was done without casualty. Later two companies of the Fifty-fourth New York moved out, skirmishing, and being met by a strong fire from the enemy's pickets commanded by Captain Lewis, Thirty-second Georgia, retired with the loss of two killed and six wounded. Our naval vessels shelled the enemy whenever discovered, and soon forced them to cover. After our force fell back, we could see a man of the Fifty-fourth New York lying on the open ground between the lines. He was alive, for he would occasionally raise himself. The enemy would not permit him to be brought in. A gallant officer of the staff essayed the dangerous task, but was fired upon. Our officers and men of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts were exasperated at this firing on men engaged in a humane act, and sharply replied to the enemy for an hour. At dark a field-piece was brought near, and under cover of grape, a party of eight men from Company E with a stretcher went out to bring the poor fellow in. He was found dead. It was impossible to secure his body, as the enemy was rapidly advancing