The National tribune., 1890-06-26

reaching the rebel breastworks, and losing 18
killed and So wounded, or moro than one-third
of their number Altogether, the regiment lost
33 killed and 1872 by wounds, disease, etc, out
of q total enrolment of 950 which was the
largest loss of any nine-months regiment, and
was much greater than some three-years organ
izations.
The 54th Mass was the first colored regi-
ment and was organized May b. 1863. Partic-
ular attention was given to offering the
regiment. and tho commissions were given to
Massachusetts, mon who had shown their
courage in battle. Capt. Robert G.. Shaw, who
had demonstrated his soldiership in the famous
I'd Mass, aud belonged to one of tho oldest
and weallhiest families in Boston, was chosen
for Colonel. The regiment was thoroughly
drilled and disciplined, for it was felt that
much moro than ordinary results depended
upon its conduct The whole question of the
value of the negro as a soldier and Of his man
hood as n citizen was to be determined. The
regiment was sent TO the Department of the
South, and saw its first fighting on James ISL
and, where IL repulsed determined attack made
upon it by the brigade of Gen. Hagood. Two
companies of tho regiment were cut off, but re-
fused to surrender, and forced their way back to
the main line. The regiment lost ID killed, IS
wounded and - missing Col. Shaw led the
bloody assault upon Fort Wagner with it-600
strong-and rarely was there more desperate
conflict during the war. For more than 200
yards there was a terrible fire of musketry and
artillery front and flank, with exploding tor
pedoes and distractions to be surmounted, but
the 5ith gained the crest Of the parape and drove
of the rebel defenders The fighting there was
sanguinary, but the rebels were rein forced, and
the whole Union force driven back. The Colo
mel SHAW and two Captains were killed on the
parapct. and the Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant,
and nine other commissioned officers were
severely wounded The total loss of the 600
was 2Gl, Of whom SO were killed outright. The
regiment was withdrawn from the scene of
slaughter by Capt Luis f. Emilio the youngest
Captain in tho regiment, all his superiors
having fallen. Mai l.. N. HaIowell succeeded
Shaw as Colonel, and led the regiment at
Oolustee, where, out Of 500 engaged it lost 13
killed and GO wounded. Going to and coming
from tho battlefield it marched 100 miles in
1G2 hours, including four hours of fighting and
for the last ii miles of the retreat it drew a
disabled locomotive and a train loaded with
the wounded. Altogether the 5ith had 1861
men in its ranks of whom but 80 deserted, 109
were killed in battle and 16l died of disease.
We shall continue this In our next.
We are indebted for most of these facts to
James l.. Bowen's Massachusetts in the War"
| THE following bill, introduced by Senator
Eyarts, of New York, embodies ideas of the
soldiers generally as TO the preference for
Union soldiers in civil employment that
should be carried ont in the laws of the
| United States. The present law is defective
in two respects, the first being that it con-
fines the preference to those who were dis
charged on account of wounds or disability,
| and the second, that il contains no punitory
clause to compel its observance. Senator
Eyarts bill extends the preference to all hon
orably- discharged Union soldiers and makes
the preference more specific than does Sec
ton 1853 1t also imposes penalty for
its non-observance. We trust that the COM
rades will consider this, and bring all the
influence possible to bear to secure its
passage.
BE II enacted by The Senate and House Of Repre-
scntaiiues Of the United States Of Ausricn ia Congress
assembled That In every public Department. and
upon all public works OF the United states Govern
ment, and In competitive and competitive
| examinations under the United States civil service
laws rules and regulations OF the same, wherever
they apply, honorably discharged Union soldiers
sailors and marines shall be preferred for oertihca-
ton, appointment, employment, and retention
| therein. Age. loss of limb. OF other physical Inn
| pairmeut which does not in fact ncapnoitnte shall
| not be deemed To disquhiiiy them, provided they
possess the business capacity necessary To fiji the
| position involved; and persons thus preferred
| unless appointed or employed for a definite s,ntu
tory term. shall not be dismissed from their posi-
tions, except upon charges and after hearing.
SIC. .. That all heads of Departments officials
Boards OF Examiners. other persons having
| power OF appointment. employment, certiea
ton for such appointment or employment, Ia TIA,
public service OF the United States ms set forth II
section one of this net. charged with faithful
compliance with the terms thereof both in lette
and spirit, and failure 10 comply shall be
misdemeanor 20 be prosecuted either by informa
ton Indictment. and punishable accordingly.
SIC. q That all laws parts OF laws inconsisten
with the provisions Of this are hereby repealed
| SEC l. That ihsa act shall take fleet immediately
|
SPAIN has just finished footing up tn,