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

[260] mobbish scream, gave them a costly repulse. All attacks along our whole line were successfully met; but when driven back, the enemy still maintained a brisk response. From the reserve, late in the afternoon, the Thirty-second United States Colored Troops relieved the One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York and Twenty-fifth Ohio, when their ammunition was expended. Our artillery, supplemented by Hamner's Third Rhode Island Battery, toward the close, was ably handled. At dark the enemy fell back, when our troops retired to their fortified camp. The enemy's loss was about one hundred in all, including General Gartrell wounded. Ours was about two hundred. Colonel Silliman, after displaying marked gallantry, was mortally wounded. His aid, Lieut. Edwin R. Hill, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, an able soldier of experience and valor, was also mortally wounded.

In this action the Fifty-fourth was in reserve, and throughout the day continued working upon the rifle trench, and a battery for guns to command the opening cut in the forest. All was in readiness for a call to the front, but the demand was not made. At 5 P. M. that day Colonel Hallowell arrived with five hundred men of the Fifty-fourth New York and Thirty-third United States Colored Troops. He took command of our Second Brigade, retaining Lieut. Geo. F. McKay, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, as acting assistant adjutant-general. At night Lieutenant Knowles was wounded on picket, and went to the rear.

Though foiled in further advance, we held on, not knowing where Sherman might strike the coast. Deserters reported his near approach. We were within good range of the railroad. Another battery was constructed in the