_May 28._ Mr. Williams brought word that Hunter has issued an order to
all civilians to enter the army or leave the Department! Twenty days'
notice. You need not be afraid of C.'s enlisting here; he wouldn't do
it "first." I don't think many of the superintendents would now like
to serve under Hunter. He imprisoned two of them upon the evidence of
their people without inquiring into the matter, and ignored Saxton in
the most insulting manner. Mr. Hammond was released by a court-martial
with honor.
_May 30._ In the evening came a note from R. saying that there was no
danger from the draft for the superintendents, but they would probably
have to get exemption-papers.
_June 20._ C. came home after church Sunday with the information that
General Gillmore had given out that he should carry out Hunter's
orders, but that he took the liberty of believing a white man as well
as a negro!
_June 24._ We hear but little about the new General. He is General
Saxton's junior in rank, but a fine engineer, so it is supposed he was
sent to conduct the siege of Charleston.
The siege of Charleston,--another attempt, "prompted more by
sentiment than military sagacity," to capture "the city in
which the secession had begun,"[133]--is the subject of the
next dozen extracts. The expedition failed to justify the
high hopes that accompanied it, yet one event in it has
attained undying fame.
When, in the first week of July, all the troops left Hilton
Head, Land's End, and Port Royal Island, the regiment
followed with the keenest interest by the writers of these
letters was the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts (colored),
Colonel Robert G. Shaw.
_July 10._ It was strange to be waked this morning by the incessant,
thundering roar of heavy guns. It was just at sunrise, and as I
gradually woke to the full realization of what it must be--though as
it mingled in my dreams, I was conscious that our masked batteries had
opened at last--it was very exciting to feel my bed shake under me
from such a cause. I could hear the people talking excitedly in the
yard. About seven o'clock the heavy firing ceased, and we hoped that
Morris Island was ours. C. went to the beach and reported a very heavy
cloud of smoke resting in the direction of "Town."
The following extract is a good specimen of the groundless
rumors, all with copious circumstantial evidence, that
infested the islands.