Operating Along the Coast in 1862-- Part 3: The Death of the Colonel

JUNE 18, 1862

Howard noted the death of his regiment's (the 48th New York) leader, Colonel James H. Perry, who died the next day after "The Party."

"Perhaps the events of yesterday has something to do with the death of our Col. James H. Perry who died suddenly in his quarters, 3 PM, of disease of the heart.  Sick only a few minutes."

Perry recruited the 48th and was a tee-totalling Methodist minister from Brooklyn and discouraged his men from drinking.  His unit became known as "Perry's Saints" or the "Methodist Regiment."

At the Battle of Fort Wagner the next year, the 48th had more casualties than the much-better known 54th Massachusetts (movie "Glory") with 54 killed, 76 missing, including William B. Howard.  For the war, the 48th ranked 17th in units as far as members killed in battle.

Howard had been captured and was later paroled, released and then discharged from the Union Army April 15, 1864, due to disability.

The Death of the Colonel.  --Old B-R'er