The National tribune., 1897-06-17
MEDALS Of HONOR.
Those which Gen. Banks Promised at
Port Hudson.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: As have
noted lately ripple on the ever deep lying
feeling of anxiety for the coming medals of
honor promised by the representatives OF
the Government to its men in the field in
1863, am moved to write of Gen. Banks's
General Order, No 80, whose echo comes
10 US along with the boom of the siege guns
investing Port Hudson in those days, and
It's moral effect in causing the surrender of
that last opposing stronghold on the Mssis-
sippi was coequai with the assaults in force,
or the daily and nightly skirmishes along
its miles of defeDses.
If some may think that this order has been
already sufficiently noted in print, willclaim
for it thousand individual proclamations,
that each volunteer may have the privilege
of its suppart in presenting his claim for The
recognition of this pledged Government, as
in these words:
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF
NINETEENTH CORPS. BEFORE Pogr HUDSON.
June I5 1863.
General Order No. 40.
The Commanding General congratulaies the
troops before Port Hudson upon the steady adj
vance made upon the enernys works and IS conf
dent Of an immediate and triumphant issue Of the
contest. We are at all points upon the threshold
OF his Notifications. One more advance and they
are ours For the last duty that victory imposes.
the Commanding General summons the bold men
of the corps to the organization of q stormfng
column of thousand men to vindicate the nag OF
the Union and the memory OF It's DEFENDER VINO
have fallen. Let them come forward Officers
who lead the column Of victory in this last assault
may be assured Of the just recognition OF their
services by promotion, and every officer aud SOL
der who shares its peri|s and its glory shall re-
ceve medal fit to commemorate the first grand
success Of the campaign of 1863 for the freedom oil
the Mississippi. His name will be placed in Gen.
eral Orders upon the roll Of honor. Division COM
nnGa will n
officers and men who may volunteer for this serv-
ice in order That the organization Of the column
may be completed without delay.
BY command of Maj Gen. BANKS.
RICHARD B. IRWIN. Asst Adjutant- General
With apologies to your readers and
double apology to the immortal bard, have
hitched my humble hack to renowned
Pagassus for a somewhat timOrous drive
along the lower slopes of Parnassus, under
the title of "The Heart of the Bruce and
General Order 40 ut Port Hudson In 1863"
"Then In his stirrup up he stood
So lion-Iike aud bold,
And held the precious heart aloft
All In its case of gold.
"He flung IL from him far ahead
And never spoke he more.
But Pass thee 6rst, thou dauntless hearh
As thou were wont Of yOTe."
Thus did he use an amulet Of gold and precious
mote
To stir their souls to deeds of bravess daring;
So does the flag. emblem of couniry's honor, float
To lead men on to victory deaths enshrnng.
Again the heart of Bruce leads men beyond Them
To death direct. or but Of life hope forIorn.
parallel of fact and romance that nausht OF time
Where on the Mississippi bank a fort held foes
in scorn.
fort besieged for months. mid slaugb.ers dire.
Naught gained but slow approaches to the fateful
brink
Where abaiis and watered-ditch ana frowning
The brave advance that wills the impossible to
sink.
Then twas The Lord James Douglas of the modern
From GU. his army tried proclaimed a smaller
or volunteers to be compact and held in lines
OF discipline for death. if needs be, at command.
All glory to the name Of Banks, who saw
That death to all this chosen few, with fortunes
Were better than the loss of thousands in the nav
or daily slaughters with uncertain ending.
In his commanding hand holds he the bolt for
who shall think when lie that word shall say.
"Go on, Oh. bravest of the brave" that the re-
manning
Part of thai tried host would fail OF victory that
day?
In segregated camp they formed
Where sound to prayers siaiiy called,
Where mental strain each face deformed,
ANXIOUS, but not with fear appalled,.
Bargained they for medals? Nay forsooth
They pondercl country. God aud home;
Trusting that thos, were words OF truth
Their General gave TO them alone
IT. J. RUNDEI, Captain. 156th y. Y, and
volunteer to Column of Forlorn Hope, 165
East Seventy-frst street, N. Y.