The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-29
THE PORT HUDSON MEDALA
A step Taken Towatd Carrying Oat
Promise Made Long Ago.

WARRINGTON. Nav 2sThe Senate has lust
passed hill to confer medals Of honor upon
the survivors OF the storming column formed
nv Con. n. r. Banks for the assault OF Port
Hudson in the summer Of 1853.
It may socm strange that II this honor waa
earned Mt that time Congress should still.
twentv-nine years later he discussing the
rroprictv of awarding it. But the main din.
Guilty arises out Of the fact that the contem.
plated assault Of the forlorn hope was never
made. Accordingly there has long been q
doubt as To- who'hor distinction 80 excep-
tiOnal in the civil war ought to be conferred
under these circumstances.
1t is urged that Port Hudson was only ono Of
a long series OF sieges and battles. some Of
which showed deadlier assaults. yet were never
made tho occasion of issuing special medals
of honor to the troops. Tho pending PROPOSE
ton. it is suggested. would actually give an
exceptional reward to those who did not make
HSS all the n Ssos1 Of az
really not at all the question at issue. Com
sress could never go into the subject Of set
Of the war. So far us the display Of individual
yaor is concerned. There was quite 40 much
as on 2 s." eds Wits loneIy pcis
duty might intrinsicaliy deserve medal OF
honor aS much rs rartlciration In trium:
ease is that the medals were. promised: and It
only romans to determine whether that prom
ise is binding on Congress.
A brief review OF the circumstances will
show additional reasons for awarding these
medals. The siege OF Port Hudson was UNDER
taken bv Banks in cooperation with Grants
attack upon Nirkshurg. The Confederate
works at tho former point. as at the latter.
were strong. but Banks. soon after reaching Il.
made two assaults in an effort to carry them.
They Cost an aggregate OF about 500 killed
and nearly 5000 wounded. and were repulsed.
1t was under these 81 rcnmstances that third
assault was resolved upon. by picked Storm
aud accordingly par.ook somewhat Of the
character OF n fOrlOrn hope.
The order from Gen Banks 8 headquarters
prescribing the formation OF this columA
read as follows:
The commanding General summons tho bold mon q
thousand men to vindratc me flag OF the Union and
the memory of its defenders who have fallen. Let
victory in this last assault be assured or the juss
recognition Of their services by promotion and evsry
shall receive medal Mt to commemorate the nrSs
grand Of the campaign OF 1853 for tho freedom
OF the Mississippi His name VIII be placed In general
orders upon the roll OF honor.
burg caused the surrender of Port Hudson be-
fore this assault was cal led for. Severth Bless.
volunteers nearly equal to the number re-
ullirei had offered themselves to the Storm
ing party. Whether it was wise to hold out
this special inducement is not the question.
provided the commanding General was au-
thorized to do So Nor does tho fact that the
duty of assault was never eXRcted essentially
alter the case. The medal was earned when
the mon volunteered.
n simple medal the exact facts even recittnl
that the dangerous duty was not required OF
the men. But it is hardly creditable to leave q
pledge Of this character unfnltillad.