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Luis Fenollosa Emilio, U.S.V. |
Captain Luis Fenollosa Emilio, U.S.V.
Captain Luis Fenollosa Emilio, with a martial instinct and patriotism
which are an inheritance in certain families, was led to exchange the life
of a student for that of the soldier. His grandfather served against the
French in Spain with credit and wounds, and his own father fought against
the first Don Carlos, receiving the Cross of Maria Isabella Luisa, one of
the orders of chivalry.
Enlisting October 19, 1861, before his seventeenth birthday, in Company F,
Twenty-third Massachusetts Infantry, from his native city of Salem,
Massachusetts, Captain Emilio's ardor and activity placed him among the
first of his regiment to penetrate the swamps of Roanoke Island and enter
the enemy's entrenchment, and at New Berne to advance beyond the line with
a comrade, where they acted as sharp-shooters. Thus early distinguished,
he was placed on the color-guard, and promoted to sergeant. He took part,
under General John G. Foster, in the engagements at Southwest Creek,
Kinston, Whitehall, and Goldsborough. After the severe losses of the 23d,
at Whitehall, he volunteered to command the rescuing party in an effort to
bring our wounded from under the enemy's fire, but was not permitted.
Such services, united with intelligent performance of every duty, pointed
him out, despite his youth, as worthy of higher rank. The Secretary of War
selected him to report for assignment and promotion; Governor Andrew, of
Massachusetts, tendered him a commission in the first colored regiment
raised in the North, under Colonel Robert G. Shaw, and his own regimental
commander assured him of higher rank if he would but remain. A personal
letter from Colonel Shaw decided his choice. He reported at Boston, and
was made a captain in the famous Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry.
Present at the maiden fight of his regiment at James Island, July 16,
1863, he also took a prominent part in the sanguinary night assault on
Fort Wagner two days later, when the Fifty-fourth led the storming column.
There the fearful losses gave him command; true to his earlier promise,
Captain Emilio gallantly rallied the fragments of his regiment, besides
many white soldiers, and inspiring them by word and example, amid the
chaos of defeat advanced with this sole remnant of the leading brigades to
the support of the only unbroken one, and held an important position until
relieved. For his conduct that night he received the thanks of General
Thomas G. Stevenson on the field.
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In frequent command of the
Fifty-fourth, or large portions, in the trenches before Wagner; with
General Gillmore's expedition to Florida; in charge of the exposed
outpost of Black Island with several companies; commanding Fort
Greene against the James Island batteries; throughout General
Foster's attack upon James Island in 1864; at Boyd's Landing,
Devaux's Neck, and the Tullifinny, and during the march to
Charleston, Captain Emilio bore a prominent part.
His last engagement was on February 7, 1865, when, with three
companies, he drove the enemy's force of cavalry and artillery from
before our advancing column all day.He accompanied his regiment
to Savannah in March, 1865, and was mustered out after three and
one-half years' honorable service. His details were: Acting
judge-advocate, First Division, Tenth Corps; acting judge-advocate,
Southern District; and acting provost-marshal, Coast Division,
Department of the South. |
Captain Emilio went to San Francisco in 1867, where he became prominently
identified with real estate and building operations. In 1876 he married
Mary, daughter of Josiah Belden, Esq., of San Jose, California, whose
former homestead is now the site of the Hotel Vendome. His only child is a
son. Since 1881 he has resided in New York City.
He is a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion; Lafayette Post,
Grand Army of the Republic; the United Service and Seventh Regiment
Veteran clubs; the New York Real Estate Exchange, and other social and
business organizations. Well known as a military authority, his writings
include "A Brave Black Regiment, History of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts
Infantry;" besides many published and unpublished papers and articles,
among which are "The Occupation, Defence, and Fall of Roanoke Island," "
Organization of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry," "The
Fifty-fourth Massachusetts in the Assault of Fort Wagner," "Siege of Fort
Wagner," and "The Expedition to Florida."Source: Officers of the Volunteer Army and Navy who
served in the Civil War, published by L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1893, 419
pgs.
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