Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-06-18
DIED A HERO.
The Brave Colonel of n Colored Regi-
ment.

The Brave Colonel of Colored Regi-
mcnt.
War is barbnrous. With the progress
of humanity it must be that nations
will find some more reasonable way of
settling their disputes, but till then it is
to be admitted that the field of battle
brings out the spirit of heroism. In Mr..
Emilio's history of "a Brave Black
Regiment, the 54th Massachusetts,
the author tells new story of the at
tack on Fort Wagner in July, 1868, in
which the regiment covered itself with
honor and its commander, Col. Robert
G. Shaw, one of the most attractive
figures of the whole four years contest,
laid down his life
The Fifty-fourth had just arrived
upon the ground. The men had passed
two days without an issue of rations,
and We're considerably worn out, but as
special honor they We're allowed-not
column.
AS showing how the irrepressible
humor of the African soldier came out
the author mentions that as the line was
forming cannon shot from the enemy
passed overhead. A man or two moved
nervously, which brought sharp re-
proof from Lieut.. Col. Hallowell.
Thereupon one man remarked quietly to
his comrades: II guess the majo for
gets what kind of balls them is" An
other added, thinking of the enemy: 81
guess they kind o specs we're COM
ing"
AS the preparations for attack were
completed, Col. Shaw said to Lieut.. Col
Hallowell, II shall go in advance with
the national flag You will keep the
state flag with you; it will give the
men something to rally round. We
shall take the fort or die there. Good
by" f
Presently Gen. Strong rode up, called
out the color-bearer, and said:
''If this man should fall, who will lift
the flag and carry it on?"
81 WILL" said Col. Shaw, quietly, and
the men loudly responded to the pledge.
The writer describes minutely the ap-
pearance and dress of Col. Shaw, as he
walked up and down the line of his
regiment With youth, beauty, educa-
ton, wealth, social position, he had
everything which the world can offer to
make life attractive; but the time had
come to give it up, and he was ready
for the sacrifice.
'His MANNER" says Mr.. Emilio, "gen-
orally reserved before his men, seemed
now to unbend, for he spoke as he had
never done before. His bearing was
composed and graceful; his cheek had
somewhat paled, and the slight twitch-
ing of the corners of his mouth showed
plainly that the whole cost was count
ed, and his expressed determination to
take the fort or die was to be carried
out"
And it was carried out. The fort was
not taken. The colonel led his men to
the rampant. There he stood for mo-
ment with uplifted sword, shouting,
Forward, Fifty-fourth!" and then fell
dead, shot through the heart.
The confederates buried him in a
trench with his Negro soldiers. They
meant it as an ignominy, perhaps, but
as time goes on it will more and more
be felt that his body could have had NO
more appropriate and honorable rest
ing place.
No public monument has yet been
erected to his memory, but it is pleas
ant to know that one is to be set up be.
fore many years on Boston common.
1t could have no better motto than
Emerson's lines, written in war time:
So nigh is grandeur to our dust,
So near is God to man,
When Duty whispers low, Thou must,
Tho youth replies, CAM q.
Youths Companion.