Days passed, and they told themselves that no news was good news. Gradually names were made public. Horace Greeley hailed the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts as the “black phalanx.” Newspapers throughout the North said that the Negro soldier had “proven himself.” Southern papers used different words to tell the story, but they verified the fact that it was black bodies which filled the hastily dug trenches all around Fort Wagner. They had come upon a white body which was identified as the commander. It was said the order had been given to “dump him among his niggers!” Anna Douglass wrote a letter to Robert Shaw’s mother, who lived in Boston. “The struggle is now over for your brave son. Take comfort in the thought that he died as he lived, that he lies with those who loved him so devotedly.” And still no word of Charles and Lewis. Douglass did not tell Anna about a letter he had written to Abraham Lincoln. But when the reply came, he showed her the enclosed note, which read: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The bearer of this, Frederick Douglass, is known to us as a loyal, free man, and is hence entitled to travel unmolested. We trust he will be recognized everywhere as a free man and a gentleman. Respectfully, A. LINCOLN, PRESIDENT _I. K. Usha, Secretary_ August 10, 1863 Anna lifted her eyes in a question. “I’m going to South Carolina.” She pressed her hand against her shaking lips. “They’ll kill you--too!” she said. He shook his head. “Our troops are encamped on the islands in and about Charleston harbor. The regiments are mixed up. There are so many wounded that I can be a real help by straightening out the record. Many homes do not know.” And he kissed her. She watched him shave off his beard. She gave him a large box of food. “I’ll find the boys!” His assurance cheered her. He did find them--each on a different island--among the wounded. Charles thought him simply another figment of his feverish dreams. Lewis had been trying to get word out. The news ran along the cots and out into the swamps: “Frederick Douglass is here!” Their cause was not lost. * * * * * There were times that fall when strong hearts quailed. Criticism against Abraham Lincoln mounted. Finally it became clear that Lincoln would not be re-elected by the politicians, the bankers, big business, or the press. The campaign of 1864 was, therefore, waged in country stores, at crossroads, from the backs of carts driving along city streets, in public squares and on church steps.