eneral
Strong and Colonel Shaw. Then at half-past seven or a quarter
before eight o'clock the order for the charge was given. The
regiment advanced at quick time, changed to double-quick when at
some distance on. The intervening distance between the place
where the line was formed and the Fort was run over in a few
minutes. When within one or two hundred yards of the Fort, a
terrific fire of grape and musketry was poured upon them along
the entire line, and with deadly results. It tore the ranks to
pieces and disconcerted some. They rallied again, went through
the ditch, in which were some three feet of water, and then up
the parapet. They raised the flag on the parapet, where it
remained for a few minutes. Here they melted away before the
enemy's fire, their bodies falling down the slope and into the
ditch. Others will give a more detailed and accurate account of
what occurred during the rest of the conflict.

"Colonel Shaw reached the parapet, leading his men, and was
probably killed. Adjutant James saw him fall. Private Thomas
Burgess, of Company I, told me that he was close to Colonel Shaw;
that he waved his sword and cried out: 'Onward, boys!' and, as he
did so, fell. Burgess fell, wounded, at the same time. In a
minute or two, as he rose to crawl away, he tried to pull Colonel
Shaw along, taking hold of his feet, which were near his own
head, but there appeared to be no life in him. There is a report,
however, that Colonel Shaw is wounded and a prisoner, and that it
was so stated to the officers who bore a flag of truce from us,
but I cannot find it well authenticated. It is most likely that
this noble youth has given his life to his country and to
mankind. Brigadier-General Strong (himself a kindred spirit) said
of him to-day, in a message to his parents: 'I had but little
opportunity to be with him, but I already loved him. No man ever
went more gallantly into battle. None knew but to love him.' I
parted with Colonel Shaw between six and seven, Saturday evening,
as he rode forward to his regiment, and he gave me the private
letters and papers he had with him, to be delivered to his
father. Of the other officers, Lieutenant-Colonel Hallowell is
severely wounded in the groin; Adjutant James has a wound from a
grape-shot in his ankl