On that day they met at the Armory, delivered the flags to Captain Nims to be put in the State House, and were mustered out of the United States service August 16, 1864.
While this marks the end of the history of the original Nims' Battery, as 23 of the original number had reënlisted and recruits had been received from time to time, the organization of the 2d Massachusetts was continued. Transportation was taken on the 2d of September for Morganza, where the battery encamped for the winter. The monotony of this encampment was varied by scouting expeditions in which the various sections took part.
Meanwhile, Captain Nims had opened recruiting head-quarters in the North and soon secured enlistments enough to fill existing vacancies, and in December was on his way back to the seat of action. Lieutenant Snow, who had been weakened by his wounds and captivity, was discharged November 30, and on the 7th of January, 1865, Captain Nims resigned his commission. Lieutenant Marland was promoted to fill the vacancy, the other lieutenants were advanced, and the second lieutenancies were filled by the promotion of First Sergeant Louis W. Swan and Sergeant Jacob M. Ellis, both of Boston.
The battery was next ordered to report to General Steele for active service, and accordingly arrived at New Orleans on March 7, where it took transport for Barrancas, Fla., arriving there on the 10th. After waiting about a week it began its march through the woods and swamps of Florida toward Mobile. Rain fell most of the time and the mud was unfathomable. Fighting its way from point to point wherever troops could fight, the battery finally reached Fort Blakely on April 2. It was necessary to take this point before proceeding to Mobile, and after waiting a few days the place was finally taken by assault on April 9, 1865. After the fall of Fort Blakely the battery started with a column of infantry and cavalry toward Claiborne, Ala. Its last serious conflict was at Daniel's Landing on the 11th.
For the next seven weeks the battery was almost constantly on the march until men, horses, and mules were completely worn out. Late in May, Columbus, Miss., was reached. The men were sent to Mobile and then on to Vicksburg, which they reached on June 4. Since landing in Florida they had traveled over 1600 miles.
The company encamped at Vicksburg till July 22, when it turned its equipment over to the United States authorities and set out for home.
Boston was reached on the 4th of August, the men encamping on Galloupes Island till the 11th, when they were paid and discharged.
Old Nims Homestead at Deerfield, Mass.