The sun., 1890-06-07

The Port Hudson Medals.
Twenty-seven years have passed since the
troops In the Department Of the Gulf, con-
stituting the Nineteenth Army Corps, were
engaged In the siege Of Port Hudson, a Con-
federate stronghold on the left bank OF the
Mississippi, about twenty-five miles north
Of Baton Rouge. During these operations
tho Union commander, Gen. N. p. BANKS,
having succeeded in carrying his parallels
to a point near the Confederate defences,
called for storming party, 1000 strong. to
make final assault on the works, promising
a medal of honor to all who should take part
init. Volunteers responded nearly to the
number desired, and they were specially Or
ganizcd for their hazardous duty. But it
was never exacted Of them, as the surrender
OF Port Hudson promptly following the fall
OF vicksburg, which had occurred five days
earlier, dispensed with the need OF an assault
After tho close OF the war some members
Of this storming party called for their med
ais, and Gen. BANKS supported their claims.
But although the Senate has passed meas
ures for that purpose, the House has never
concurred, 80 that now, after the lapse OF a
quarter of century, we find the House
Committee on Military Affairs once more
engaged upon the subject.
The main objection to awarding the medals
is not the expense, but the fact that the
stormng party was never called upon to
make the contemplated assault. On the
other hand many famous and deadly at
tacks upon Confederate works were made
during the war, for which no medals were
promised and none have been provided. One
argument, therefore, against the bill for
the Port Hudson testimonials Is that
they would create an unjust discrim-
ination against the heroes OF real assaults |
In favor Of an exploit never realized. The |
Military Committee OF the House Is always |
largely composed OF men who served In the |
civil war; and who have keen sense of the |
value set upon such honors, and also OF the |
evil results of any undue discrimination in |
distributing them. They hesitate to take a |
step which might result In a general demand |
for decorations to attest the public gratitude
for exceptional services. So far they have
found assistance in the peculiar language OF
the order OF Gen. BANKS which called for
the storming party:
"Tho commanding General summons the bold men OF |
the Corps to the organization OF storminG Of
thousand men to vndicate the flag of the Union and
the memory OF its defenders who have fallen Let
them como forward. Officers who lead the column to
victory In this last assault bo assured the
recognition Of their services by promotion and Oyery
officer and soldier who shares Its perils and Its Rlory
shall receive medal 1T to commemorate tho nrst
grand Of the campaign OF 1853 the freedom
Of tho Mississippi His will be placed In general
orders upon the roll Of honor"
1t Is urged that under the express Ian
guage OF this order, promotion is offered only
to officers who lead the column to victory"
and medals to the officers and soldiers who |
' share its perils and It's glory" so that in
the absence of any leading to victory and of
any perIls and glory. there are no pledges to
be fulfilled.
This, however. is perhaps rather narrow
Of language wherc liberal in
.erpretation would not be improper. The
personal presence OF Gen. BANKS before the
in support OF the bill shows that
le intended no such restrictions In his prom
Sc. The peculiar wording OF the order is
plainly due not to any purpose to make the
medal conditional but to tho assumption
hat the assault would be necessary. Only
wo days before its issue heavy attack on
he works had been made, 30 that those who
Volunteered for the storming party must
AVE expected an early repetition OF 1t, and
renee were ready to volunteer.
The investment OF Port Hudson by BANKS
vas undertaken In the summer Of 1863, to CO.
operate with GRANTS attack on Vicksburg
The Confederates had surrounded the place
With strong lines OF works, those on the
liver consisting OF series OF batteries on
high bluff, while in the rear OF the place
we're continuous lines of parapets several
niles long, strengthened here and there by
enclosed bastions. Gen. GARDNER held
hese works with about 1000 men. Gen.
BANKS approached Port Hudson with about
10000 men, and soon after investing
t attempted to carry it by an as {
'ault This was made with great
'iGor; but tho assailants were checked at
,he ditch, which had a depth of fifteen feet {
rom the top OF the parapet. They were ]
withdrawn after loss of 29S killed. I,545 .
wounded, and 157 missing. On tho 18th of
June second assault was delivered. 1t
gained some ground, but cost loss of 0os {
killed. l,4ol wounded, and 9Ol missing. 1t is I
evident that with two such attempts, in.
'olving an aggregate OF about 800 killed
and nearly 1900 wounded, the proposal of a {
picked storming party had something of the
nature OF q forlOrn hope. Whether the as ]
SAINT would actually have been found nec-