Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Harvard Memorial Biographies

[291] an Acting Brigadier-General in front of Port Hudson. I send you the official order received by me as General, announcing that Vicksburg had surrendered. This is a hard, hard life. All are well. Most of the regiment have gone off with the Rebel prisoners. Give my love to all. May Heaven help all, guide and protect you and me. You receive this rough epistle from

Your affectionate son,

John.

I burnt my hand with powder. No harm, but I can't write.

Port Hudson surrendered, and the Fiftieth came home by railroad. The quondam mutineers, whom he had controlled, kept together, and inspired through unusual temptations and dangers, parted with their ‘little Major’ amid the wildest enthusiasm. But it was not long before he was again in the field as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fifty-ninth Massachusetts, for which regiment he began recruiting on the 23d of November, at Salem. The regiment left the State in April, 1864, and after only three weeks of quiet was repeatedly in action. Then followed the arduous final campaign. Many anecdotes became current in the Fifty-ninth Massachusetts, as to traits of generosity or self-devotion in their young Lieutenant-Colonel,—his yielding his horse to a worn-out soldier on the march, and carrying the man's rifle, or his pulling off his own stockings to cover the blistered feet of a private. On one occasion a force of veterans was ordered to charge a battery, and the Fifty-ninth was to support them. Three several times they saw them march up with firm step, and three several times they saw them waver and fall back under a tremendous fire from the Rebel works,—a sight which might well have caused an older regiment to falter. At this juncture Colonel Hodges received the order to advance with his regiment. For a moment they hesitated, and but for a moment, and it was a critical moment. Colonel Hodges saw it, and dashing towards the color-sergeant, caught the colors from his hand, and without uttering a word, advanced towards the battery. The effect was magical. A sergeant rushed forward and, waving his cap over his head, shouted,