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

[205] temperature at 110°, officers and men on James Island, both Union and Confederate, were succumbing to the heat of the sun. More than fifty men of the Fifty-fourth were affected to a greater or lesser degree; and Private John Hale, of Company D, died at his post with the skirmishers. Major Appleton was completely prostrated, and while lying on the ground received a contusion from a solid shot which ultimately forced him to leave the service. Captain Jones, commanding the skirmishers, was compelled to retire, and was taken to the rear delirious. He suffered all his life thereafter in head and brain, and died from the effects in 1886. Lieut. Chas. Jewett, Jr., was seriously injured from the same cause, and died from it in 1890. Lieutenants Newell, Chipman, and David Reid were also badly affected. Most of those prostrated were on the skirmish line. So great were their sufferings that at last word was sent to Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper that they could no longer endure it, and that many men were lying unconscious and helpless, for their stronger comrades could not leave their positions. It was not possible to send a relieving force without sustaining heavy casualties, so stretchers were taken out, and upon them a number of men were brought back.

Under such conditions hour after hour of that seemingly interminable day wore on. Our position was isolated; there appeared to be momentary probability of attack by an overwhelming force; but Colonel Heine's orders were that the position must be held at all hazards. The officers by confident bearing did their best to make light of the situation, and Colonel Heine's actions helped greatly. He was about the skirmish line and the fieldwork, and at one time mounted the parapet of the redoubt and therefrom facetiously