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

It seemed that the government, having paid us once in the two years service, was allowing that to suffice, for six months pay was due at this time. The officers were penniless, and had to send North for money or borrow it to subsist upon. Sherman's victorious progress, Sheridan's brilliant successes, Lee's inability to hold back Grant, and the whole seaboard fallen, made it manifest that the war was virtually over. The Fifty-fourth then expected but a brief period of garrison duty, followed by a homeward voyage, without again hearing a hostile shot; but a new field of service was before them, for after a review of the troops on the 25th by General Grover at ‘The Plain,’ orders came for the Fifty-fourth and One Hundred and Second United States Colored Troops to proceed to Georgetown, S. C.

The following changes took place among the officers at Savannah,—Lieutenant Emerson re-joined; Lieutenant Knowles resigned at the North; Captains Emilio and Homans were mustered out at the expiration of their personal terms of service; Lieutenant Chipman was promoted captain of Company D; Lieutenant Duren, still at the North, was appointed adjutant.

On the 27th Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper embarked with the right wing on the steamer W. W. Coit, accompanied by Colonel Hallowell. The same day Major Pope with the left wing boarded the steamer Canonicus. After getting to sea, both transports touched at Hilton Head and then went on to Charleston, where Colonel Hallowell was directed to report to General Hatch. Bad weather and the want of coal prevented sailing thence until the morning of the 31st, when the voyage was resumed.