[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1600-E1601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, on July 18, 1998 the African-American Civil 
War Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC. This memorial pays 
tribute to the Black soldiers who fought in the Union Army to end 
slavery and preserve the United States of America as one nation 
committed to freedom and justice for all. Among the words of praise 
given for these brave souls was a poem written by San Francisco 
columnist and civic leader Noah Griffin. I submit for the Record To The 
Massachusetts 54th, In Memoriam, a tribute to one of the black 
regiments which fought in the Civil War.

                 To The Massachusetts 54th In Memoriam

     When the drumbeat and the fife subside
     And the celebration's done,

[[Page E1601]]

     When the memory of the men who died
     Both North and South is one.

     This regiment will still shine forth
     In annals of the free:
     The Massachusetts Fifty-Fourth
     Who fought for Liberty.

     Abe Lincoln had refused to act,
     Moreover, Stanton too.
     The one to recognize the fact
     Was the Governor John Andrew.

     He fought to do what saved the war:
     Bring Blacks into the fray.
     For up 'til then there'd been a bar
     By both the Blue and Grey.

     When Lincoln signed the document
     Which brought Emancipation,
     The administration did relent,
     Accompanying authorization.

     From the Commonwealth the call rang out:
     ``Come Colored Men to Arms.''
     Amid the ridicule and doubt
     They answered war's alarm.

     They came from city and the farm;
     Left sweethearts, wives and mothers
     To wear that Union uniform,
     And free their shackled brothers.

     From every state they filled the roll,
     From Maryland to Maine.
     The Gov'nor more than reached his goal,
     The mandate now was plain:

     To show that these Black fighting men
     Were equal to the task:
     To never have to prove again;
     To never have to ask.

     They served for less than equal pay,
     Accepting none, 'til righted.
     Enlisted, they remained to stay,
     Their honor yet unblighted.

     Eli George Biddle, Edward Hines
     And Sergeant William Carney:
     The knowledge of whom redefines
     The Northern Grand Old Army.

     Andrew had turned to Robert Shaw
     To lead this regiment.
     For in this bold Brahmin he saw
     The strength of firm commitment.

     The men trained with exactitude,
     To Milit'ry precision.
     With courage, strength and fortitude
     They faced their disposition.

     Fort Wagner in South Caroline
     Would prove their maiden test,
     To see if courage would align
     By bringing forth the best

     From Blacks who fought to free the slave,
     For Justice and the Right--
     These soldiers who when called on gave
     New meaning to the Fight.

     With neither map nor smooth terrain
     They charged the mouth of Hell.
     Into the with'ring blast they came
     Ignoring shot and shell.

     Young Colonel Shaw, while rallying forth
     With sword clutched in his hand.
     Exhorted, ``Onward Fifty Fourth''
     His ultimate command.

     He died upon the parapet.
     He fell amidst his men.
     All buried in a common pit,
     Returned to earth as kin.

     The standard bearer breathed his last;
     The flag was going down.
     Thrice wounded Carney grabbed it fast:
     ``It never hit the ground.''

     This soldier from New Bedford soil,
     Who hailed from Company ``C''
     Half-dead amid the bloody toil,
     Dismissed his own safety.

     The men fought valiantly that day,
     Though victory was denied.
     Amid the wreaths and laurels lay
     A source of new found pride.

     For courage, neither black nor white;
     Resides within us all,
     When we surrender to our plight
     And answer duty's call.

     When the drumbeat and the fife subside
     And the celebration's done,
     And the memory of the men who died
     Both North and South is one.

     This regiment will still shine forth
     In annals of the free:
     The Massachusetts Fifty-Fourth.
     They died for Liberty.

     

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