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

Into the war-ravaged city of Charleston, with its shattered buildings, disrupted grass-grown streets, deserted wharves, and scuttled hulks, the Fifty-fourth entered at 9 A. M., on the 27th, having crossed the river on the steamer Croton. We could not but be exultant, for by day and night, in sunshine and storm, through close combat and far-reaching cannonade, the city and its defences were the special objects of our endeavor for many months. Moving up Meeting and King streets, through the margin of the ‘burnt district,’ we saw all those fearful evidences of fire and shell. Many colored people were there to welcome the regiment, as the one whose prisoners were so long confined in their midst. Passing the Mills House, Charleston Hotel, and the Citadel, the Fifty-fourth proceeded over the plank road one and a half miles to the Neck, where the Confederate intrenchments extended clear across the peninsula. Turning to the right, we entered Magnolia Cemetery, through which the line of works ran, and camped along it among the graves. It was the extreme right of the fortifications, fronting Belvedere Creek. The One Hundred and Second took post on our left. Brigade headquarters were at the Cary house near by. Companies B and F, relieved in the city, re-joined the regiment that day.

Our camp among the tombstones seemed a desecration of the beautiful grounds which should have been sacred to the dead; but our foes were responsible for constructing the lines there. Lieutenant Cousens, on the 28th, was sent for our camp effects at Morris Island, and as a portion