Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-07-14
DIED A HERO.


rhe Brave Colonel of n CoIored Regi-
ment.
War is barbarous. With the progress
d humanity IL must be that nations
will find some more reasonable way of
settling their disputes, but till then II is
TO be admitted that the field of battle
brings out the spirit of heroism. In Mr..
Emilios history of "a Brave Black
Regiment, the 54th Massachusetts,
the author tells a 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
u. 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 were considerably worn out, but as
special honor they were allowed--not
communicable lead the assaulting
column.
AS showing how the irrcpressible
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 n sharp re-
proof from Lieut.. Col. Hallowell.
Thereupon one man remarked quietly to
his comrades: II guess the major for
gets what kind of balls them is" An
other added, thinking of the enemy: ~
guess they kind o specs we're com
ing"
As the preparations for attack were
completed, Col. Shaw said TO Lieut.. Col.
Hallowell, 81 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 therel Good
byv"
Presently Gen. Strong rode up, called
out the color-bearer, and said:
IF this man should fall who will lift
the flag and carry 1t on?"
II will" said Col. Shaw, quietly, and
the men loudly responded TO the pledge.
The writer describes infinitely the APP
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
nd ha al -l N.l,
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 a mo-
nent with uplifted sword, shouting,
Forward, Fifty-fourthl" and then fell
dead, shot through the heart.
The confederates buried him in a
trench with his Negro soldiers They
meant II as an ignominy, perhaps, but
rs time goes on it will more and more
be felt that his body could have had nc
more appropriate and honorable rest
ing place.
No public monument has yet been
erected TO his memory, but IL is pleas.
ant to know that one is 10 be set up be.
lore many years on Boston common.
II 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,
The youth replies, IodHi
L..