The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-02-27

forces at Port Hudson, heard of the fall OF
Vicksburg, he, on July 8, 1868. sent out a
flag of truce, and surrendered his entire COM
mand to Gen. Banks.
The Mississippi River was thus opened,
and the hack bone of the rebellion was broken.
The forlorn hope received the honor of
marching into the enemy's stronghold, seven
miles in extent, taking advance of the Ma
tional troops. The 18th Conn. band, accom-
panied by two other regimental bands, with
II Union flags flying in the breeze, advanced
with the column of stormers and the army,
and marched through the Confederate works
playing patriotic tunes, the Union forces
cheering along the line. Thus ended one of
the most important and interesting events
of the rebellion.
In March, 1884 movement was started
to secure from Congress the promised medals
OF honor The volunteers had fulfilled their
part Of the contract, and asked the Govern
ment 10 do its part. bearing in mind that it
was no bounty, no pension, but simply just
ice. Hon. Henry b. Lowering, Of Lynn,
Mass. presented petition in the House of
Representatives, Dec. 10, 1885, signed by
Lieut.-C David p. Muzzey, of the Sd Mass.
Cav, and nearly a hundred other survivors
of the storming column, praying Congress to
Of Gen. Banks. This petition failed of pas
sage IN the House, but was approved by the
Senate
Not disheartened by this action, the sur
vivOrs asked Hon. Henry Cabot Lodge, sue
cessor of Mr.. Lowering, to present their
petition in the House Of Representatives of
the succeeding Congress. He used his earn
est efforts to secure its passage, but was not
| successful Senator Eugene Hale of Maine,
introduced the bill in the Senate the same
session, and for second time the bill re-
ceived unanimous approval in the higher
| branch OF Congress. Now let us reproduce
the only report from the House Military
Committee, under date of July "a, 1890.
Mr.. Spooner, from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, submitted the following report: :
Ito accompany S. 546l
The Committee on Military Affairs, 10 whom was
referred the bill g. 5isJ authorizing the Secretary
oil War 10 procure and present suitable medals To
the survivors OF the "forlorn hope siorniing party
Of Port Hudson, respectfully report:
That during the siege of PORT Hudson after two
vigorous assaults in the attempts to carry the
works had been repulsed with great slaughter
Maj.-Gen. Banks. commanding the Union forces
issued The following order See General Order
NO. 49, above. Ia response TO that call. about $50
officers and enlisted men OF various regiments OF
the Nineteenth Corps volunteered. and were or
Ranized into "A stormng brigade opposed of two
battalions Of - companies with "a complement Of
field staff. And line officers under the command OF
Col. III w. Brge. Colonel of the 18Th Conn.
During period of several weeks this stormiDp
brigade was regularly instructed and drilled "a
separate command in preparation for the antici.
pRted assault upon the works. the necessity for
which. however, was cbviated by the surrender OF
tie garrison.
Your committee cannot assent to the validity of
the claim which has been urged that the granting
OF medals to such volunteers is required ia literal
fuiblineDt OF any promise contained ia said order.
Tor the iHngunge ofthe order Is that +" officers who
Lad m rfplf rls -
be assured Of the just recognition OF their services
by promotion, aud every officer and soldier who
shares is perils IFS glory shall receive medal"
etc while, by Of the surrender Of the garri-
son, the contemplated last assault" WAS never
made. the anticipated "perils " of again storm
ing works from which they bad been repeatedly
repulsed ever encountered.
Yet, willie recognizing the improperly of Great
ing any unjust discrimination among the volun-
teers aud regulars of the Union army the record Of
whose service isembazoned with deeds OF herosrn
and patriotic devotion, your Committee believe
that, Ia view Of ali the circumstances, the voun-
teers Tor the storming column at PORT Hudson are
deserving OF some special consideration. They not
only volunteered for aduty of extraordinary peril.
with a full knowledge and appreciation OF the ex-
ceptionRl difficulties and dangers which they were
expected to encounter and full expectation Of per
forming that duty. but were for weeks subject 10
that suspense, most trying TO any soldier, arising
from the continuous anticipation OF orders pro-
coed TO the performance Of the perilous duty for
which they bad specially engaged. with the APP
parent certainty that few would escape the chances
OF death or grevfous mutiiatlon which awaited
their onset.
While IL is true that many others in obedience 10
orders and In the ordinary of their service
encountered periis equal to those be anticipated
In the proposed last assault al Port Hudson. those
who formed ths storming column voluntarily N
gagged themselves for what may be called a for.
Torn hope" the hazardous duty of which
never performed. through fault. hesitation. or
lack Of consistency on their part. Such consistency
In berOism may well receive the recognition
ferred by medal OF honor
But. Ia pursuance OF the principle by which your
committee have been heretofore guided, for the
preservation OF historical accuracy they of the
opinion that medals granted should clearly indi-
cate the special service for the performance Of
which such exceptional decorstion Of honor has
been bestowed.
/ Your committee. therefore. recommend that the