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

[282] besides immense stores of provisions and army supplies. That the whole city was not obliterated in consequence of these acts of General Beauregard and his subordinates, can only be attributed to the exertions of our soldiery and the negro inhabitants.

Our companies at Morris Island passed the winter months with little of moment to disturb the quiet of garrison life. At about 1 A. M., on February 18, the bridge over the Ashley River was discovered burning, fires were seen in various parts of Charleston, and the storeship ‘John Ravenel’ was a mass of flames lighting up the harbor. At 6 A. M. the magazine of Battery Bee blew up. When day dawned, a heavy fog covered the waters, but at 7.45 A. M. it lifted. With powerful glasses no enemy could be seen at Sumter, James, or Sullivan's Island, although Rebel flags were over the works.

Lieut.-Col. A. G. Bennett, Twenty-First United States Colored Troops, commanding Morris Island, gave orders for his force to gather at Cumming's Point, and had boats prepared to transport the troops. Major Hennessy, Fifty-second Pennsylvania, was sent to Sumter, and Lieut. John Hackett, Third Rhode Island Artillery, to Moultrie, and the navy despatched Acting Ensign Anson to Moultrie, and Acting Master Gifford to Mt. Pleasant. At all these points, about 9.30 A. M., the Rebel flags gave place to the stars and stripes planted by these officers.

Lieutenant-Colonel Bennett, with Lieut. J. F. Haviland, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New York, joined on the way by other boats containing a few officers and men of the Fifty-second Pennsylvania and Twenty-first United States Colored Troops, reached Mills's wharf on the city front at 10 A. M., after hoisting the United States flag over