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

[197] policing, the burial of garbage, and the free use of disinfectants. Every man was required to bathe twice each week. Where practicable, sentry-boxes were built for shelter. The troops suffered from want of ice. Desiccated vegetables, soaked overnight and boiled with fresh beef, were issued twice a week. As fresh vegetables were sorely needed, Commissary-Sergeant Lee was sent to Beaufort and brought back a limited quantity.

Our daily duties of fatigue and grand guard went on unvaryingly week after week. The troops only looked forward to the arrival of the mails to bring news of events taking place elsewhere. Some sick and wounded comrades returned; and on June 20 we received twelve recruits for the regiment. That same day Quartermaster Ritchie recorded in his journal that he saw and talked with ‘Washington Smith just escaped from Charleston,’ who told him about the Fifty-fourth prisoners there. This seems to be the first news received of these men, then confined nearly a year.

Until late in June it was not expected that any active operations would be attempted, at least during the summer months. But on the 19th there were demonstrations made by our troops from Folly Island about the Stono. By the 29th evidences of some projected movement became apparent. Our scouting parties were urged to greater activity; boats were put in order, bridges toward James Island were laid, and ammunition was served out. The time seemed favorable, for the enemy were few in number, and did not expect attack.

Major Appleton, commanding Lighthouse Inlet, made a boat reconnaissance on the night of the 29th, nearly up to the enemy's lines at Secessionville. Orders were received