Reminiscences of a Fugitive Slave and Nurse with the Union Army in South Carolina (1864)

[In] June, 1864, the regiment was ordered to Folly Island….We landed on Morris Island between June and July of 1864…[near] Fort Wagner.

The regiment under Colonel Trowbridge did garrison duty, but they had troublesome times from Fort Gregg, on James Island, for the rebels would throw a shell over on our island every now and then.  Finally orders were received for the boys to take Fort Gregg, each man to take 150 rounds of cartridges, canteens of water, hardtack, and salt beef….I helped as many as I could to pack haversacks and cartridge boxes.

...About five-o’clock in the afternoon, the call was sounded, and I heard the first sergeant say, “Fall in, boys, fall in,” and they were not long in obeying the command.  Each company marched out of its street, in front of their colonel’s headquarters, where they rested for half an hour, as it was not dark enough, and they did not want to give the enemy to have a chance to spy their movements.   At the end of this time the line was formed with the 103rd New York (white) in the rear, and off they started, eager to get to work.   It was quite dark by the time they reached Parnell Landing.  I have never forgotten the goodbyes of that day, as they left camp.  Colonel Trowbridge said to me as he left, “Goodbye, Mrs. King, take care of yourself if you don’t see us again.”  I went with them as far as the landing, and watched them until they got out of sight, and then I returned to the camp.  There was no one at camp but those left on picket and a few disabled soldiers, and one woman, a friend of mine, Mary Shaw, and it was lonesome and sad, now that the boys were gone, some never to return....

About four o’clock, July 2, the charge was made.  The firing could be plainly heard in camp.  I hastened down to the landing and remained there until eight o’clock in the morning.  When the wounded arrived, or rather began to arrive, the first one brought in was Samuel Anderson of our company.  He was badly wounded.  Then others of our boys, some with their legs off, arm gone, foot off, and wounds of all kinds imaginable.   They had to wade through creeks and marshes, as they were discovered by the enemy and shelled very badly.  A number of the men were lost, some got fastened in the mud and had to cut off the legs of their pants to free themselves.  The 103rd New York suffered the most, as their men were very badly wounded.

My work now began.   I gave my assistance to try to alleviate their sufferings.   I asked the doctor at the hospital what I could get for them to eat.  They wanted soup, but that I could not get; but I had a few cans of condensed milk and some turtle eggs, so I thought I would try to make some custard.  I had doubts as to my success, for cooking with turtle eggs was something new to me, but the adage has it, “Nothing ventured, nothing done,” so I made a venture and the result was a very delicious custard.  This I carried to the men, who enjoyed it very much.   My services were given at all times for the comfort of these men.  I was on hand to assist whenever needed.

Review

1. How does this account by Susie King Taylor provide evidence of the contributions of black soldiers to the Union cause?
2. How do you think the experiences of Susie King Taylor prepared for her citizenship after the war ended?