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While with the Army of the Potomac, though not engaged with the enemy, it suffered much for want of tents, clothing, shoes, &c., having failed to supply itself on leaving Newbern, as was supposed, for Massachusetts.
The regiment returned to the State on the 29th of July, with clothes tattered and torn, but yet showing they had seen service, and, by their firm tread and manly bearing, that they were ready and willing to do their duty to their country, and to the glorious old flag.
It was mustered out of service Aug. 7, 1863.
The Forty-second Regiment was in the Department of the Gulf, and arrived at New Orleans Dec. 16, 1862.
On the 19th, Colonel Burrill, with companies D, G, and F, embarked on the transport Saxon, for Galveston, Texas, and arrived in Galveston Bay on the 24th.
The Colonel immediately proceeded to the gunboat Westfield, to consult with Commodore Renshaw, then in command of the blockading fleet, off Galveston; and by his advice, added to that of the commanding officers of all the gunboats then in the harbor, to land at once, with the most positive assurances of the entire safety of the position, a landing was made.
Jan. 1.—The enemy advanced with artillery upon this small force, two or three attempts to capture the position being handsomely repulsed; while four rebel gunboats and a ram were making for the fleet and succeeded in capturing the ‘Harriet Lane,’ after a short but fierce and determined engagement.
A flag of truce was raised by the enemy on the ‘Harriet Lane’ and on shore.
This was responded to by the several gunboats, and finally by Colonel Burrill on the wharf.
Colonel Burrill, not having any information as to the cause for the flags of truce, and being desirous of communicating with the fleet to ascertain the reason, ordered Adjutant Davis to proceed to the flag-ship, to obtain the information, also to get the gunboats to come up to the wharf, and take off his command, the enemy being too strong for him to contend with on shore.
Adjutant Davis, while awaiting the answer to his communication, saw, from the deck of the gunboat, Colonel Burrill and his command marched off prisoners of war. Finding all hope
1868. E. P. DUtton and Co. Boston,.
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