The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-08-05
Correspondence Of the y Y Post
The COIored Troops In Charleston HarbOr
PORT Royal ,July

PORT ROYAL, July "A, 1868.
Fresh honOrs crown the colorsd troops So
fully had their character for bravery and reliance
been established, that in the recent assault upon
Fort Wagner the Fifty fourth Massachusetts
we're allowed to lead our veteran troops, nor did
they Ito their honor be it said) refuse either the
lead or their support.
On forming them into line General Strong,
Who had by his soldierly and kind bearing to
ward them secured their confidence, raising bis
stentorian voice cried out q" Is there a man here
who thinks himself unable to sleep in that fort to-
night" The earth rang with the thunder of
their "Nol" Turning to the color bearer, he
said: " Is there any man to take bis MAGE if
this brave cOiOr-Oearer should tall?" With
lifting of hands, ana lesping, and almost yelling,
all through the enthusiastic ranks, came the re-
sponse, Yesl Yesi!"
From Gen Strong himself, as he lay in the
hospital four days afterwsrd, suffering from bis
ghastly wound, learned that these men "had
no sleep for three nights, no food since morning.
and had marched several miles" Under cover
or darkness they stormed the fort, facing the
stream of fire, fatering not till the ranks were
broken by shot and shell, and in all these severe
tests, which would have tried even veteran
troops, they fully met my expectations" said
the General, for many of them were killed,
No man broke till fred upon"
The 9th Connecticut, who had honored them
selves at Jacksonville cooperating with colored
troops supported the 54th in the assault. Sew
eral of the officers lying in the hospital confirm
the testimony Of Gen. Strong. The regiment
went in 700 strong and brought off only 800
sound men. Of II Cficers, only three came out
unhurt. The number of killed have not learn
ed. About 200 are now lying in our hospitals.
Some who had prophesed that the colOred man
would not stand fire, but had finally yielded in
his favor, still contended that ghasty wounds
and suferings, with slaughter and death of com
rades would quash all their love Of freedom
and soldering, and silence the bosts Of their
friends.
On the second and fourth days after the fight,
l passed through nearly all the wards Of the hos
pital. On the second day a very large proper
ton OF their wounds had not been dressed, and
of course they were very painful. Some lay
with shattered legs or arms, or both Others
with limbs amputated Rebel bullets, grape
grape, shells and bayOnets have made sad hsv-
oc. Standing amidst large number, l said
"Well, boys, this was net part Of the pro
gramme, was it:" "0h, yes, indeed, We expec
ted TO take all that comes" said some. Others
said, " Thank God we went in to live or die"
"If out of it and home, how many would en-
LIST sgan!" With frightened faces and som,
raising Of even wounded arms or hands all said
"Oh yes, yes Some sang out, "Oh. neve
give il up, till the last Rebel be dead" or ID,
last brother breaks his chains" or, 4" if all ou
people get their freedom, we can afford TO die >
I Frank Myers from Ohio. whose arm was bad,
shattered by shall, said Oh, thank God 81
much for the privilege I went in TO live or d
ss he please" He stood right under the upliite'
sword of their brave Colonel Shaw. on the yer,
top Of the parapet, as he cried, rush on, rusl
on, boysi" and then suddenly fell, quickly fol
lowed by Myers himself
No man can pass among these suferes so pa
rient, so cheerful, hear them express their de
sire for spepdy recovery, first and only, tha
they hay (the almost universal eIpression) "tr
it over again :" also, their frn conviction tia
they are soldiers for Jesus, TO help on this "a
Of freedom for all the oppressed. and not be il
spired With the deepest adherence Of SLAYER
and unquestionable desire for the freedom {
their race. | have seen much 70 admire 10 theT
as servants, lsborers in the 6eld as soldiers, i
camp, on the battle field, bat never 90 much ]
sll these relations that is 80 truly manly, heroi
and sublime and exhibited in the furnace fire
Of war
! The sympathy and kind attentions Of the CO
ored people are unmeasured. Yesterday Pete
from plantation seven miles distant calling o
Gen. Saxton, said: " Gineral, bro't load {
corn from our people for de sogers in de hOspita
/, Some gives tive ears, some four, and some NOR
{ as dey be able. May de poor wounded soge
have it's" YES, yes; thank them for il
: said the General. Men, women and children, {
! the hundred have turned ministering angels
their suffering benefactors, as the baskets
: corn, figs, melons, pies, CAKES, kettles OF COTE
soup, and numberless other tokens Of syupstt
clearly evince.