Draft:Cabot Jackson Russell

• Comment: Great read, but multiple references specifically about Cabot Jackson Russell via independent, reliable sources are required to establish notability. (King's Chapel (another great read) is a blog and is not considered reliable.) JSFarman (talk) 16:47, 18 August 2024 (UTC)

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Cabot Jackson Russel
Born	(1844-06-21)June 21, 1844 New York, U.S.
Died	July 18, 1863(1863-07-18) (aged 19) Charleston County, South Carolina, U.S.
Place of burial	Mount Auburn Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	U.S. Army (Union Army)
Years of service	1862–1863
Rank	Captain
Unit	44th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
Commands	54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
Battles / wars	American Civil War: Battle of Grimball's Landing Second Battle of Fort Wagner †

Cabot Jackson Russel (June 21, 1844 - July 18, 1863) was an American officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Russell served as a captain for the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, where he was killed in action during the Second Battle of Fort Wagner in July 1863.

Early life

Russel was born into a wealthy New York family on June 21, 1844. Russel split his childhood between New York and Boston, attending Harvard in 1861, but dropped out before he completed his studies. Russel took a trip to west Wyoming in 1862, as an attempt by his father, William C. Russel, to prevent his son from joining the army. Russel had two cousins enlisted in the Union Army; Jim and Charles Russell Lowell. On June 30, news that Jim was mortally wounded at the Battle of Glendale reached Russel, fully convincing him to join the army, writing to his friend, "Now I shall certainly go".

Civil War

Russel enlisted as a private with the 44th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment on September 12, 1862 for a nine-month enlistment, quickly being promoted to a sergeant. Russel likely would have stayed with his regiment for his entire enlistment period, but in late 1862 and early 1863, John Albion Andrew, the governor of Massachusetts, began to organize the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, asking white soldiers who were currently serving in the 44th to become an officer and serve under Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th, the first all-black regiment organized in the Northeast. In March of 1863, Russel was offered the position of first lieutenant in Company F, reluctantly agreeing. His decision could have likely been heavily motivated by his father, who was heavily opposed to slavery.

Departure south and the Battle of Grimballs Landing

Russel trained with the regiment in Camp Meigs in Readville, Massachusetts. Less than two months after accepting his position of first lieutenant, Russell was promoted to captain and commander of Company H. On May 28th, Russel and the 54th left Boston and made their way down to South Carolina. The 54th saw their first action on July 16th, at the Battle of Grimball's Landing, on James Island, South Carolina. Russel's company was ordered to form a picket line, where they were surprised by 1400 Confederate troops, commanded by brigadier general Alfred H. Colquitt. Written in a letter to his father,, Russel told him that he was nearly killed by a mounted Rebel officer, but private Preston Williams saved his life. The officer swung twice with his sword at Russel's head, the second being blocked by Williams with his bayonet, then shooting the officer in the neck. Their line was reported by some accounts to have held for about an hour, while Colquitt claimed they turned and ran. Russell's regiment fell back, but fought long enough to allow another regiment, the 10th Connecticut Infantry Regiment to escape destruction by the Rebs. Their resistance also allowed brigadier general Alfred Terry to form the remaining companies from the 54th with the rest of the division. Soon after picket lines were formed, the 54th was under heavy fire by the Confederates. Meanwhile, Russel and his regiment were waiting for an attack by Colquitt, but never came; he had withdrew his plans after becoming disorganized by the fire.

Battle of Fort Wagner

On July 18th, 1863, the 54th was volunteered by Shaw to lead the attack on Fort Wagner at dusk. According to Quincy A. Gillmore, the Union brigadier in command of the Department of the South, Fort Wagner was a key fort to take in order to take Charleston. Shaw, who believed he was going to fall during the storming, showed confidence and spoke to his regiment with determination.

The 54th waited for Shaw's command to commence. When they did, Russel and the 54th advanced in quick time along the seashore, towards the fort. As the battle advanced, Shaw was shot and killed on the parapet of the fort. Like Shaw, Russel was also shot, in the leg and breast, according to Stephen A. Swails, a sergeant in Company F. According to Swails, Captain William H. Simpkins, who had previously served in the 44th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment with Russel, went to tend to Russel, asking if he wanted to be carried to safety. Russel declined, and asked Swails and Simpkins to help him lay flat on his back. While leaning over Russel, Simpkins was shot through the chest, killing him. Russel ordered Swails to change positions, to not draw fire to the other wounded men along the parapet. Swails agreed.

Russel was reported missing and presumed dead. His status soon reached his father, who came from New York City to Charleston, checking numerous hospitals, and wandered the streets knocking on doors, but to no avail. It was assumed that he was buried in the trenches along the fort, along with his men and Colonel Shaw.