in the thigh and one in the head. Still he refused to give up his
sacred trust until he found an officer of his regiment.

"When he entered the field hospital, where his wounded comrades
were being brought in, they cheered him and the colors. Though
nearly exhausted with the loss of blood, he said: 'Boys, the old
flag never touched the ground.'

"Of him as a man and soldier, I can speak in the highest term of
praise.

"I have the honor to be, Colonel, very respectfully,

"Your most obedient servant,
"M. S. LITTLEFIELD,
"_Col. Comd'g 54th Reg't Mass. Vols._

"Col. A. G. BROWN, Jr., _Military Secretary to his Excellency
John A. Andrew, Mass._"

It was natural that Massachusetts should feel a deep interest in her
Negro regiment: for it was an experiment; and the fair name of the Old
Bay State had been committed to its keeping. Edward L. Pierce gave the
following account of the regiment to Gov. John A. Andrew:

"BEAUFORT, July 22, 1863.

"MY DEAR SIR: You will probably receive an official report of the
losses in the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts by the mail which leaves
to-morrow, but perhaps a word from me may not be unwelcome. I saw
the officers and men on James Island on the thirteenth instant,
and on Saturday last saw them at Brigadier-General Strong's tent,
as they passed on at six or half-past six in the evening to Fort
Wagner, which is some two miles beyond. I had been the guest of
General Strong, who commanded the advance since Tuesday. Colonel
Shaw had become attached to General Strong at St. Helena, where
he was under him, and the regard was mutual. When the troops left
St. Helena they were separated, the Fifty-fourth going to James
Island. While it was there, General Strong received a letter from
Colonel Shaw, in which the desire was expressed for the transfer
of the Fifty-fourth to General Strong's brigade. So when the
troops were brought away from James Island, General Strong took
this regiment into his command. It left James Island on Thursday,
July sixteenth, at nine P.M., and marched to Cole's Island, which
they reached at four o'clock on Friday morning, marching all
night, most of the way in single file over swampy and muddy