Because of the bravery and courage displayed at Fort Wagner, commanders and generals commented on and praised the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. The following letter is from General Ripley:

"8 Stanhope Terrace, Gloseter Road, South Kensington, London, January 12, 1875.

"To his Excellency the Goveneror of Massachusetts:

"I have the honor to forward to your Excellency the Regimental color for the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts of Volunteers, which was taken in action on the evening of the 18th of July, 1863, by the garrison of Battery Wagner, under General Taliaferro, being a part of the forces defending Charleston, South Carolina, under my command, when that work was assaulted by the Federal troops under General Gillmore.

"Since the close of the Civil War in America I have been generally absent from the country, and I have seen with regret the failure of expediants attempted to restore peace and content to the Southern States.

"It seems to me, however, that the lapse of time and the course of events have produced a less embittered state of public feeling than that which existed just after the close of the strife. Under the existing state of things I deem it decorous, if not a positive duty, to promote the oblivion of the animosities which led to and were engendered by the war.

"Sucg being the case, I prefer to look upon trophies of the character of the color in question as mementos of the gallant conduct of men who like Shaw, Putnam, and other sons of Massachusetts sealed their devotion to the cause which they adopted with their lives, rather than as evidences of prowess on one side or the other. The custodians of such a memento, I think, should be the authorities of the State served by these gallant men, and I therefore transmit the flag to your Excellency for such disposition as the authorities of Massachusetts shall determine.

"Very Respectfully,

Your obedient servent,

"(signed) R.S. Ripley"

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