Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-07-30
@Drrest&r Dailp Spp
THE DAILY SPY.
The FIrty-Tourth Regiment.

oEAIfOlls Ouly ~ 1000.
My Dear Str You will probably re-
ceive an official report of the losses of the
Massachusetts tifty-fourth by mail, which
leaves Tomorrow, but perhaps word
from me may not be unwelcome. | saw the
officers and men on James Island on the 18th
inst, and on Saturday last saw them at Brig
Gen. Strongs tent, as they passed about
seven in the evening to Fort Wagner, which
is some two miles beyond. | had been the
guest of Gen Strong, who commanded the adj
vance, since Tuesday. Col. Shaw had be-
come attached to Gen. Strong at st. Helena,
where he was under him, and the regard was
mutual. When the troops left St. Helena
they were separated, the 54th going to James
Island. While it was there Gen. Strong re-
ceived a letter from Col Shaw, in which the
desire was expressed for the transfer of the
9th to Gen Strong's brigade. So when the
troops were brought away from James Island
Gen. Strong took this regiment into his COM
mand. 1t left James Island on Thursday,
July l6, at 8 a. M, and marched to Coles Is
land, which they reached at o'clock on Fri
day morning, marching all night, most of the
way III single file, over swampy and muddy
ground. There they remained during the day,
with hard tack and coffee for their fare, and
tins only what was left in their haversacks,
not regular ration. From IL o'clock of
Friday evening until o'clock of Saturday.
they were being put on the transport, the
General Hunter, in boat which took about
fifty at a time. There they breakfasted on
the same fare, and had no other food before
entering into the assault on Fort Wagner in
the evening.
The General Hunter left Coles Island for
Folly Island at a. M, and the troops landed
at Pawnee landing about 10 a. M, and thence
marched to the point opposite Morris island,
reaching there about o'clock in the after
noon. They were transported in a steamer
across the inlet, and at p. m. began their
march Tor Fort Wagner. They reached Brig
Cen Strong's quarters, about midway on the
Island, about o'clock, where they halted for
five minutes. | saw them here, and they
looked worn and weary
Gen. Strong expressed a great desire to
give them food and stimulants, but it was too
late, as they were to lead the charge. They
had been without tents during the peiting rains
OF Thursday and Friday nights. Gen. Strong
had been impressed with the high character
of the regiment and its officers, and he wish
ed to assign them the post where the most
severe work was to be done, and the highest
honor was to be won. | had been his guest
for some days, and knew how he regarded
them. The march across Folly and Morris
islands was over sandy road, and was very
wearlsome- The regiment wcut through the
centre of the island, and not along the beach,
where the marching was easier. When they
had come within 600 yards of Fort Wagner
they formed in line of battle, the colonel
heading the first and the major the second
battalion. This was within musket shot of
the enemy. There was little firing from the
enemy, a solid shot falling between the battal-
ions, and another falling to the right, but no
mn -afr 4
gether with the next supporting regiments,
the 9th Conn, 9th Maine and others, remain
ed half hour. The regiment was addressed
by Gen. Strong and Col. Shaw. Then about
half past seven the order for charge was
given. The regiment advanced at quick
time, changed to double quick when at some
distance on. The intervening distance be-
tween the place where the line was formed
and the FORT was run over i'll a few minutes.
When within one or two hundred yards of the
fort, terrific fire of grape and musketry was
poured upon them along the whole line, and
with deadly results. 1t tore the ranks to
pieces and disconnected some. They rallied
again, went through the ditch, in which was
some three feet of water, then up the parapet.
They raised the flag on the parapet where it
remained for few minutes. Here they mel
ted away before the enemy's fire, their bodies
falling down the slope and into the ditch.
Others will give more detailed and accurate
account of what occurred during the rest of
the conflict
Col. Shaw reached the parapet, leading his
men, and was probably killed. Adjutant
Jones saw him fall. Private Thomas Burgess
of Co. | told me he was close to Col. Shaw
that he waved his sword and cried out, "On-
ward, boys!" and as he did so, fell. Burgess
fell, wounded, at the same time. In minute
or two, as he rose to crawl array, he tried to
pull Col. Shaw along, taking hold of his feet,
which were near his own head, but there ap-
peared to be no life in him. There is a re-
port, however, tina Col. S. is wounded and a
prisoner, and that it was SO stated to the of
ficers who bore flag of truce from US; but
cannot find it well authenticated. 1t is most
likely that this noble youth has given his life
to his country and to mankind. Brig. Gen.
Strong (himself kindred spirit) said of him
day in message to his parents, 81 had but
little opportunity to be with him, but already
loved him. No man ever went more gallant
ly inc battle. None knew him but to love
him." l parted with Col. Shaw between six
and seven on Saturday evening" as he rode
forward to his regiment and he gave me the
private letters and papers he had with him, 10
be delivered to his father. OF the other Of
fcers, Major Halowell is severely wounded
in the groin; Adjutant James has a wound
from Il rifle ball in lis ankle, and flesh
wound IN his side from a CHANGING ball or
piece OF shell. Capt. Pope has had a musket
ball extracted from his shoulder Cant. Ap-
pleton is wounded in the thumb, and also has
Il confusion on his right breast from IL hand
grenade, which, however is not severe Cant
Willard has wound in the leg, and is doing
well. Capt. Jones was wounded in the right
shoulder. The ball went through, and he is
doing well. Lieut. Romans was wounded nv
a ball from smooth bore musket entering
the left side, which has been extracted from
the back He is doing well.
The above named officers are at Beaufort,
all but the last ar Gg there on Sunday eve
ming. whitl,7 aeflvlhS le taken fro II Folly Is
land in 'sser they werFSon thence to Beau.
for. - The Alice Price, (Which is snecialIv
lin the Cosmopolitan, -, and is nrov;ded
fitted up for hospital servicGiTs ',e direction of
with skilful surgeons under tlNysonderIv cared
DR. Montague. They are now t rronSs '" arJ
for with an adequate corps OF sufqS9ni snnnlv
nurses and provided with plentii ,uidnt:
of ice. beef and chicken broth and stirE 49, On
lent, Smith was left at the hospital ten 70
Morris Island, being too severely woundec
he brought away. Capt. Emelio, and LleutSo
Grace. Appleton, Johnston and Reed werS
not wounded and are doing duty. Lieuten-\
ants Jewett and Tucker were slightly wound
ed and are doing duty also. Lleutenants
Howard and Pratt are also missing. AS to
Dexter have no information. The quarter
master and surgeon are safe and with the