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[64] were made prisoners. ‘The rear of the column fell back to the cover of the hill, while all those who had gained the crest were forced to lie there, exposed to a pitiless fire of sharpshooters, and the scarcely more endurable rays of the burning sun of Louisiana, until night came and brought relief.’1 On June 15, 1863, after the formidable repulse which had occurred, General Banks issued an order congratulating his troops and calling for a storming party of one thousand volunteers, promising that every one so serving should receive a medal and should have his name placed upon a roll of honor in General Orders. Col. H. W. Birge of the 13th Connecticut at once volunteered to lead the party, and in spite of a good deal of disapproval, the ranks were more than filled in a few days. The surrender of Vicksburg, followed closely by that of Port Hudson, rendered unnecessary the sacrifice demanded of the stormers, but they had the honor of entering the fort in advance of all others,2 and their names are preserved in a roll of honor, including, as given by the historian of the 19th Army Corps, a series of Massachusetts names, which will be found in a note.3 There is
1 Irwin's 19th Army Corps, p. 197. He continues: ‘In this unfortunate situation the sufferings of the wounded became so unbearable, and appealed so powerfully to the sympathy of their comrades, that many lives were risked and some lost in the attempt to alleviate the thirst, at least, of these unfortunates. Two men, quite of their own accord, took a stretcher and tried to reach the point where Gen. H. E. Paine lay, but the attempt was unsuccessful and cost both of them their lives. These heroes were E. P. Woods of Co. E of the 8th New Hampshire and John Williams of Co. D, 31st Mass. Not less nobly, Patrick H. Cohen, a private soldier of the 133d New York, himself lying wounded on the crest, cut a canteen from the body of a dead comrade and, by lengthening the strap, succeeded in tossing it within reach of his commander; this probably preserved Paine's life, for unquestionably many of the more seriously hurt perished from the heat and from thirst on that fatal day.’
3 Port Hudson Forlorn Hope (Massachusetts names), under G. O. 49, Department of the Gulf, June 15, 1863:—
3d Massachusetts Cavalry.Private Cesar Du Bois. | Private John V. Warner. |
Corporal E. S. Tubbs, | G |
Private James Miller, | G |
Private Peter T. Downs, | G |
Private Peter Dyer, | H |
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