I did my thesis on the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which was the sister regiment to the 54th Massachusetts, featured in the movie "Glory." During my research, I came across some excerpts from the Civil War diary of George Thompson Garrison, who was a lst Lieutenant in the 55th, and also the son of the abolitionist/journalist, William Lloyd Garrison. Harriet Tubman worked very closely with Colonel James Montgomery of the 2nd South Carolina, also known as the 34th U.S.C.T. She served as guide on several of the raids and expeditions on Confederate sites along the coast of South Carolina. In early February 1864, she was seen by Lt. Garrison on Folly Island, S.C. This island is connected to James Island, and isn't that far from Charleston. James Island was held by the Confederates. Folly Island was the site of Union camps, and where the 54th and 55th units were stationed for most of the war.
The Garrison diary excerpt pertaining to Tubman was found in the Wilder Collection of Cornell University. It reads as follows:
"She took me greatly by surprise when I entered by giving me a hearty embrace, flinging both her arms about me. Till this morning, I was not aware she was upon the island. She says she has been here three months."
William H. Seward is also buried in Fort Hill, as are several other noted people:
Fort Hill Cemetery Notable Burials
One of the families I met were descendants of the Osborne family who still live in the area. During my research, I met and became friends with the great niece of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (54th Mass). May Minturn Osborne's great grandmother was Shaw's sister, Susannah Shaw, who had married Robert Bowne Minturn. The Osbornes are also related to Thomas Mott Osborne, who was prison reformer, and Mayor of Auburn. The Mott connection is through Lucretia Mott. May Osborne unfortunately passed away several years ago.
She is buried in my birthplace town,and where most of ny family still lives. This community set the tone for the decency and fairness that should be everywhere. God bless her memory,she was a great role model.