The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-29
The Massachusetts Fifty Fourth.

A Port Royal correspondent of the New York
Post writes as follows of the bravery of the
Mass. 54th in battle and their fortitude and
devotion afterward while suffering from wounds:
"On forming them into line Gen. Strong.
who had by his soderly and kind bearing to-
ward them secured their confidence raising his
stentorian voice, cried out, Is there man here
who thinks himself unable to sleep in that fort
tonight? The earth rang with the thunder
of their No! Turning to the col0r-bearer, he
said g. Is there ary man to take his place if
this brave color-bearet should fail p With
lifting OF hands, and leaping, and almost yell
ing, all through the enthusiastic ranks, came
the response, Yes Yes
From General Strong him elf, as he lay in
the hospital tour days atterward, suffering from
his CHASTITY wound. [ learned that these men
had had no sleep for three nights, no food since
morning, and had marched several miles I'm
der cover of darkness they stormed the fort,
facing stream of fire, faltering 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 expecta-
tions, SAID the General, " for many of them
were killed, wounded, or captured on the walls
of the fort. No man broke till fired upon
The 9Th Connecticut, who had honored them
selves at jacksonville cooperating with colorcd
troops, supported the 54th in the assault Sev-
erAl of the officers lying in the hospital confirm
the testimony of Gen. Strong. The regiment
went in 100 streng, and brought off only 800
sound men. OF seventeen officers, only three
came out unhurt. The number of killed have
not learned About two hundred are now w.
ing 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 CHASTITY wounds and suterngs, with
slaughter and death Of comrades, would quash
all their love Of freedom and soldering, ana ST.
lence the boasts of their friends
On the second and fourth days after The fight
passed through nearly all the wards Of the
hospital. On the second Gay a very large pro-
portion of thelI wounds had not been dressed,
and OF course they were very painful. Somelay
with shattered legs or arms, or both Others
with limbs amputated. Rebel bullets, grape,
shells and bayonets have made sad havoc,
Standing amidst large number, said Well,
boys this was not part Of the programme,
was it! Oh yes, indeed, W. expected 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 enlist again With
frightened faces, and some raising even wounded
arms or hands, all said, Oh, yes, yes Some
sang out, Oh, never give it up till the last reb-
ell be dead, or, the last brother breaks his
chains, or, If all our people get their freedom
we can afford to die,
No man can pass among these sufferers, so pa
tent 50 cheerful, hear them express their desire
for u speedy recovery, first and only, that they
may (the almost universal expression) try it
over again also their firm conviction that
they are soldiers for Jesus, to help on his warOf
freedom for all the oppressed, and not be inspired
with the deepest adherence OF slavery and anun-
quenchable desire for the freedom of their race.