Death of 1st Lt. Robert S, Edwards, 48th N.Y. at Fort Wagner

From Manuscripts of the American Civil War:  Robert S. Edwards Papers.

Taken from letters written by witnesses at Lt. Edwards' death on July 8, 1863, at Fort Wagner, S.C..

The letters showed the "heroic nature of Robert's death, and indicating that he gained Wagner's parapet and took up the fallen national flag after the regiment's color sergeant was wounded."

"Robert was shot in the chest after scaling the parapet, and immediately toppled back into the flooded ditch."

Another letter reported seeing "Robert's body lying near the top of the rampart, head-down on the slope, with his left side torn away (probably by a canister round).  The same witness reported that moments earlier, he had seen "Lieut. Edwards rushing up the slope of the fort near the parapet, wavering the glorious Stars and Stripes over his head -- speaking out in a cool & determined tone -- 'Come on Company C -- follow this Flag -- the Fort must be ours."

The Death of a Hero.  --Old secesh

48th New York Infantry Officers Killed or Mortally Wounded in Attack on Fort Wagner

The 48th New York Infantry assaulted Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863.

Besides Lt. Col. James M. Green:

Captain James Farrell, died July 18, 1863

Captain James O. Paxon, died July 31, 1863, of wounds received at Fort Wagner.

Captain Frederick Hurst, died July 31, 1863, of wounds received at Fort Wagner

1st Lieutenant Robert S. Edwards, died July 18, 1863

2nd Lieutenant Charles E. Fox, died August 11, 1861, of wounds received at Fort Wagner..

Also, since I am a Fort Fisher guy, Captain James W. Dunn was killed January 15, 1865, at the second Battle of Fort Fisher.

--Old Secesh

New York Times Reports Partial List of Fort Wagner Casualties of the 48th New York

From the July 28,1863, New York Times "REPULSE AT FORT WAGNER.; Partial Lists of Killed and Wounded in the New-York and New-England Regiments."

I will start with just Lieutenant Robert S. Edwards Company C of the 48th New York:

COMPANY C

Killed:  Captain James Farrell, Lt. Robert S. Edwards and Private Daniel Kane.

Missing:  11 privates.

Wounded: Sgt. F. Frankenburg, severely, Sgt. Schutz, Corp. J. O'Brien, Corp. Warner and 11 privates.

The Times gave the names of the privates.

--Old Secesh