|
"Brigadier-General H. J.
Morse, Adjutant-General, State of
Connecticut.
"GENERAL: In obedience to your request
I have the honor to submit the following as
the history of the 29th Regiment Connecticut
Volunteers (Colored):
"Recruiting for this " Recruiting for this regiment
began early in the autumn of 1863, and by
the latter part of January, 1864, the
maximum number had been enlisted. During its
organization the regiment was stationed at
Fair Haven, Conn. On the 8th of March, 1864,
the regiment was formally mustered into the
service of the United States.
"No field officer had as yet reported, but on the 12th
of March William B. Wooster, formerly
lieutenant-colonel of the 20th Connecticut
Volunteers, reported to the regiment, and
soon after assumed command.
"On the 19th day of March the regiment formed in line,
and after the presentation of a flag by the
colored ladies of New Haven, marched on
board the transport " Warrior."
"On the 20th we steamed out of New Haven harbor, and
after a pleasant voyage disembarked at
Annapolis, Md.
"The regiment was as yet unarmed, but on the 7th of
April we received the full complement of the
best Springfield rifled muskets.
"At this time the 9th Corps was assembling at
Annapolis, and to it we were assigned, but
on the 8th of April the regiment received
orders to proceed to Hilton Head, S. C, and
on the 9th of April we left Annapolis
for that place. Arriving at Hilton
Head we were ordered to Beaufort, S. C,
where we disembarked on the 13th of April.
The regiment had, up to this time, learned
nothing of drill or discipline, so that
there was plenty of work to be done.
"After a fine camp had been laid out the work of
converting the raw material of the regiment
into good soldiers was vigorously and
systematically commenced. The men
learned rapidly, and were faithful in the
performance of their duties. While
here, although the utmost attention was paid
to all that pertained to the health of the
regiment,
[Pg. 519]
much sickness prevailed, the change of
climate telling severely upon the untried
soldiers. In less than two months a decided
improvement in drill and discipline had been
effected, and our dress parades began to
attract marked attention. But as yet
our soldiers had not fired a shot at the
rebellion, and had still to be tried in the
fiery ordeal of battle. At last events
on the bloody fields of Virginia determined
our destiny.
"The battles fought during the summer campaign had
demonstrated that negro troops could fight
well ; they had also shown that more men
were required in Virginia, and that we could
not await the slow process of a draft to get
them. The success of the entire
campaign seemed dubious, and the army, after
all its gigantic toils and losses, found
itself confronted by strong lines of works,
manned by a brave and resolute foe. Under
these circumstances the only policy was
concentration in Virginia. Accordingly
all the troops that could be spared from
other points were ordered to Virginia.
"Among the number was the 29th Connecticut Volunteers
(colored). On the 8th day of August,
1864, the regiment left Beaufort, S. C, and
disembarked at Bermuda Hundreds, Va., on the
14th of the same month. This regiment
was brigaded with the 7th, 8th, and 9th
United States Colored Troops, forming with
other colored regiments a division of the
10th Army Corps. We arrived just as
the active movements terminating in the
capture of the Weldon Railroad had
commenced. That railroad being on the
then extreme left of our line it was deemed
advisable, as a feint, to keep the enemy
well engaged on our right. For this
purpose the 2d and 10th Army Corps had been
assembled, as secretly as possible, near
Bermuda Hundreds, and on the morning of
August 14th had advanced upon the enemy's
works near Deep Bottom.
"This regiment accompanied the force as far as Deep
Bottom, where, with the 7th United States
Colored Troops and one light battery, it was
left to defend the post, under command of
Colonel Wooster. The two
corps moved farther to the right and front,
and soon became warmly engaged. During
the fighting General Butler,
desirous to ascertain the strength and
position of the enemy immediately in our
front, ordered Colonel Wooster
to make a reconnaissance with this regiment
and the 7th United States Colored Troops.
"This was successfully accomplished, the men in this
their first encounter with the enemy,
displaying great coolness and bravery.
Soon after this we were relieved and ordered
to join our brigade, then actively engaged
at the front.
"We set out in a drenching rain storm, and after n
tiresome march reached the battle-field
about dark. Our forces had suffered a
bloody repulse, and had just finished
burying our dead under a flag of truce.
The burial parties with their bloody
stretchers were returning, and the sharp
crack of the rifle began again to be heard,
and so continued with more or less
fierceness during the night.
"At daylight hostilities, except on the picket line,
were not resumed. The opposing forces
lay and narrowly watched each other's
movements.
[Pg. 520]
Towards night, however, it was discovered
that the enemy was massing in our immediate
front, and just before sunset they commenced
the attack. The content was sharp and
short; a fierce roar of musketry, mingled
with wild yells and the deep bass of cannon;
a fainter yell and volleys less steady;
finally a few scattering shots and the
attack was repulsed. As this movement
of the two corps on the right was merely a
feint to cover more active operations on the
left, it was resolved to with draw the
forces during the night. The movement
begun just after dark. We marched to
the Bermuda Hundreds front, and pitched our
camp near Point of Rocks. On the 24th
of August, 1864, the 10th Corps relieved the
l8th Corps in front of Petersburg.
Here we remained, doing duty in the
trenches, until the 24th of September, at
which time the 10th Corps marched to the
rear to rest a few days preparatory to an
advance upon Richmond then in contemplation.
While here our ragged, dirty, and shoeless
men were clad, washed, and shod as rapidly
as possible.
"At length, at about sundown, September 28th, the corps
broke camp, and we once more started for
Deep Bottom, which place we reached about
four a. M., September 29th.
"Just as the first faint glimmerings of light were
visible the movement against Richmond
commenced. After pushing through a
deep wood our brigade formed in line of
battle near the New Market Road, under fire
of a rebel battery. We had scarcely
formed when it was found that the rebel
lines had been broken further to the left,
and we were ordered forward in pursuit of
the flying foe. Three successive lines
had been carried by impetuous charges, and
during that summer forenoon the enemy on all
sides was pressed steadily back. By
noon Fort Harrison, a large powerful work,
and a key to a large portion of the rebel
line, had been carried at the bayonet point
by the I8th Corps, and we found ourselves in
front of the strongest line of the outer
defenses of Richmond. An assault was
immediately ordered. Two regiments of
the brigade to which this regiment was
attached,—the 7th Maryland and 8th
Pennsylvania—were selected to make the
attack on Fort Gilmer, the 29th Connecticut
and 9th Maryland being held in reserve.
A charge was made on the double-quick
through a felled forest, half a mile in
extent. They were met by a murderous
enfilading fire, and after an obstinate
struggle were forced buck. They
re-formed quickly and again charged, this
time up the very guns of the fort.
After a most heroic fight they were again
compelled to retire. Some of the companies
sprang into the ditch, and refused to
surrender even after their companions had
been driven back. They continued the
unequal contest until dark, when we were
forced to leave the brave men to their fate.
"After the repulse of the second charge, the brigade
formed under a galling fire, preparatory to
another charge, but after a careful survey
of the enemy's position, it was deemed
advisable to delay the attack for the
present. Darkness soon after coming on, the
troops were quietly withdrawn to one of the
captured lines a short distance in our rear.
Next morning vigorous measures were at once
taken to reverse this line,
[Pg. 521]
and to render it impregnable against a
counter attack, which was constantly
expected. While busily engaged in this
work the rebels opened upon us with a fierce
artillery fire. A powerful force, said
to be under the direction of General
Lee in person, had been silently
massed in front of Fort Harrison, screened
from our view by the inequality of the
ground. They soon made their presence
known, however, and advanced with
determination. They were met by a fire
that sent them reeling back with immense
loss. Again they formed, and were
again driven back. Another charge more
furious, and another repulse more bloody,
finally convinced them that the attempt was
useless, and we were left in possession of
our victories of the previous day.
After this, comparative quiet reigned for a
few days, but they were not days of
idleness; the captured lines had to be
reversed and heavy picket duty to be done,
and of these duties this regiment had its
full share.
"On the 7th of October, the enemy made a dash on our
right, and at first met with considerable
success. This regiment was detached from the
brigade, and ordered to the right to assist
in repelling the attack. Before
reaching that point the attack had been
repulsed and the fighting was nearly over.
We formed a skirmish line and remained until
midnight, when we returned to the brigade.
"On the 13th of October a reconnaissance was made upon
the enemy's lines in front of our right, in
which this regiment took an active part.
The fighting was severe, and the loss
considerable. The men behaved like veterans:
but the wary foe behind his strong works
bade defiance to our small force, and so,
after fifteen hours of fighting, at night we
returned to camp. On the 27th of
October a movement commenced on our extreme
left which required the active co-operation
of the Army of the James, that the enemy
might be kept busily engaged at all points.
Tins regiment, as part of the force selected
for this purpose, set out early on the
morning of the 27th, and came in contact
with the outposts of the enemy.
Deploying as skirmishers, after a short,
sharp action, we drove the enemy within
entrenchments. After driving in the
skirmish line, we remained in front of the
enemy's works, picking his men as
opportunity offered, and keeping him engaged
generally. We were in an open field,
exposed to the fire of au enemy protected by
strong earthworks. The men behaved
very well; for twenty-three hours they held
this position, exposing themselves with the
most reckless indifference, taking the
ammunition from the bodies of their dead and
wounded companions when their own was
exhausted, and in all respects, if valor be
any criteron of manhood, proving themselves
to be 'good men and true.' At length on the
morning of the 28th, the troops were
withdrawn, and we returned to camp.
"On the 19th day of November, the regiment was ordered
to garrison certain detached forts on the
New Market road, which were considered of
great importance on account of the relation
they bore to the whole line north of the
James. That this regiment was sent to
hold them, was certainly a marked tribute to
its valor and efficiency, and was
[Pg. 522]
expressly given to it on that account.
We remained here until the formation of the
25th Army Corps, when on the 5th day of
December, 1864 we removed to the left of
Fort Harrison, forming a part of the 2nd
Brigade, 1st Division of that Corps.
"Here we remained during the rest of the winter,
picketing, drilling, building forts, and
making roads, and preparing for the spring
campaign. One division had been sent
to Fort Fisher, and but two were with the
Army of the James. At length, late in
the month of March, 1865, one of the
remaining divisions was sent to the left,
while the division to which this regiment
was attached, together with one division of
the 24th Army Corps, was left to guard the
defences north of the James. The
campaign opened vigorously. The last
week in March brought a series of splendid
victories to the Union armies, and we began
to feel that the 'end' so ardently desired
was near at hand. This regiment had
been placed in Fort Harrison, the most
important position on our line. The fort was
said to be mined, and it was feared that the
rebels would make an attack in force near
that point. On Saturday and Sunday,
April 1st and 2nd, the fighting on the left
had been terrific but generally favorable to
us. We were ordered to observe with
great care all movements of the enemy in our
front.
"At sunset of April 2nd, we witnessed the last rebel
dress parade in Virginia from the magazine
of Fort Harrison. Early on the morning of
April 3rd, 1865, the picket fires of the
enemy begun to wane, and an ominous silence
to prevail within his lines. Very soon
deserters began to come within our lines who
reported that the lines in our front were
being evacuated. In a little while we
saw the barracks of Fort Darling in flames,
and tremendous explosions followed each
other in rapid succession. The
earliest dawn revealed to us the deserted
lines, with their guns spiked and their
tents standing. We were ordered to
advance at once, but cautiously. The troops
jumped over the breast-works, and, avoiding
the torpedoes, filed through the rebel
abbatis, and then began the pace for
Richmond.
"No words can describe the enthusiasm of the troops as
they found themselves fairly within the
rebel lines, and tramping along the bloody
roads lending to the 'capitol of secessia.'
The honor of first entering that city was
most earnestly contested; many regiments
threw away everything but their arms, while
this regiment 'double-quicked' in heavy
marching orders. Two companies of this
regiment—G and C—had been sent forward as
skirmishers reaching the city close on the
heels of our cavalry, and were, without the
slightest doubt, the first companies of
infantry to enter the city. Through
the heat and dust the troops struggled on,
and at Inst, as we came in full view of the
city, the air was rent with such cheers as
only the brave men, who had fought so long
and so nobly for that city could give. Since
that time our history has been blessedly
unfruitful in stirring events. We
remained in Richmond for a few days, and
were then ordered to Petersburg; from here
we went to Point Lookout, Md., where we
remained until the 25th Corps
[Pg. 523]
was ordered to Texas. We embarked for Texas
on the 10th day of June 1865, arriving at
Brazos de Santiago July 3rd, 1805.
Prom Brazos we marched to Brownsville, on
the Rio Grande, where we continued until
ordered to Hartford, Conn., to be mustered
out. On the 20th day of October, 1865,
we left Brownsville for Hartford, where the
regiment was discharged and paid on the 25th
day of November, 1805.
"The following is a report of changes and casualties in
the 29th
Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, (colored),
from date of organization
to date of discharge:
|
Gain by
recruits...................... |
8 officers, |
210 enlisted men. |
|
Loss by
discharge.................. |
5 officers, |
121 enlisted men. |
|
Loss by dismissal
.................. |
1 officer, |
- enlisted men |
|
Loss died of disease
.............. |
1 officer, |
103 enlisted men. |
|
Loss died of wounds
............. |
1 officer, |
153 enlisted men. |
|
Loss died of wounds
.............. |
1 officer, |
21 enlisted men. |
|
Loss by killed in
battle ........... |
_ officer, |
24 enlisted men. |
|
Promotion into other
organizations ------- |
5 officers |
___ enlisted men |
|
Total gain |
8 officers, |
210 enlisted men |
|
Total loss |
13 officers |
422 enlisted men |
|
Wounded,
officers, 6; men, 102.
Captured, officer, 1; missing, none. |
"It
will be necessary to remark here that fully
one hundred per cent of our desertions
occurred while at New Haven, and during the
organization of the regiment very few
desertions occurred after we left the State.
Our total of killed and wounded was—enlisted
men, 123; officers, 6. The officer who
was captured eventually re-joined us. The
officers lost by promotion into other
organizations were—Lieutenant-Colonel H.
C. Ward, promoted to be colonel of
the31st United States Colored Troops;
Major F. E. Camp, promoted to be
lieutenant-colonel of the 29th United States
Colored Troops; Captain E. W. Bacon,
promoted to be major of the 117th United
States Colored Troops; Assistant
Surgeon Crandall, promoted to be
surgeon of the 33d United States Colored
Troops; 1st Lieutenant H. H. Brown,
promoted to be captain of the 1st United
States Colored Troops ; 2d Lieutenant
Edward Coe, promoted to be 1st
lieutenant and adjutant of the 27th United
States Colored Troops.
"Thus have I attempted to trace the history of this
regiment. I have done this with some
degree of minuteness, owing to the fact
that, as we were considered a United States
organization less can be learned concerning
ns from the reports of the adjutant-general
of the State than concerning any other
Connecticut organization. And as the
employment of colored troops was at first
tried ns a grand experiment, the people of
Connecticut may be desirous to know how far,
in the case of their colored regiment, that
experiment has been successful.
Justice, too, demands that those who are the
most competent judges—those who have been
with the colored troops on the march and in
the battle—should give their testimony to
the loyalty and valor of this despised race.
They went forth to fight the battles of the
Union when there was every thing to
discourage even the bravest. Both
officers and men knew, that should they
escape death on the battle-field a fate
awaited them, if captured,
[Pg. 524]
from which death on the battle-field would
have been a glorious relief. The poor
rights of a soldier were denied to them.
Their actions were narrowly watched, and the
slightest faults severely commented upon.
In spite of all this the negro soldier
fought willingly and bravely, and with his
rifle alone he has vindicated his manhood,
and stands confessed to-day as second in
bravery to none.
"I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
"DAVID TORRANCE,
"(Late) Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding 29th C. V."
DIARY OF THE THIRD REGIMENT DURING THE
SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON.
"May 1st, 1863.—Regiment broke camp at Fort
William, Baton Rouge, at 5 a.m.; marched out
of Bayou Monticino on the road to Port
Hudson. In the evening Company G,
under Lieutenant Quinn, was
detailed for picket duty on the Clinton
Road. Colonel promised to encamp close
by with the rest of the regiment, but
instead of doing so he fell back to the
junction of the Clinton and Port Hudson
Roads, thus leaving the rebels a fine chance
to cross the bayou and cut off Company G
from all support. Lieutenant
Quinn was doubtful of the colonel, and
to satisfy himself sent 2d Lieutenant
Frederick Dame with twenty men
back to the woods to see how things were.
Lieutenant Dame found that Colonel
Nelson had retreated back to Baton Rouge
and reported. Lieutenant
Quinn, feeling that if attacked during
the night he would not Receive aid from the
regiment, changed his position from the
place assigned in the woods by Colonel
Nelson, to one 300 yards further down
in the woods, and on the road-side. He
then threw out his pickets in all
directions, but only a short distance from
the remainder of the company who were held
in reserve. Every man was on that night.
Occasionally horsemen were seen in the
clearing, but as they did not appear to know
of our company's proximity the pickets did
not fire on them.
"2th.— Had a slight skirmish.
"13th.—Companies G and E, under Lieutenant
Quinn, went on a reconnoissanre;
returned at midnight.
"14th.—All quiet in camp.
"15th.—Fell back to Bayou Monticino.
"16th.—Commenced to build a second bridge at Monticino
Bayou.
"17th.—Company G, Lieutenant Dame, and
Company E, Lieutenant John
Keefe, went on a scout under command of
Lieutenant Quinn, captured one horse,
cattle, and had a skirmish with rebel
pickets.
"18th.—Company G on picket ordered to block the road
with felled trees, connecting the Clinton
and Bayou Sara roads, to prevent the rebel
cavalry and artillery getting in the rear of
Dudley's brigade, who were camped
near Plains Store.
"19th.—Colonel Nelson and Lieutenant
Quinn rode to Dudley's head-quarters.
The regiment marched two miles nearer to
Port Hudson in the evening; were ordered
back and bivouacked that night.
"20th.—At 10 p. m. again for Port Hudson. After
hours of hard marching in heavy order in a
hot sun on dusty roads and very little water
to drink, the regiment camped at dark in the
left of the Union line on the road leading
to Springfield landing.
"21st. — Rattle of Plains Store. During the morning
there were rumors of a fight, as the rebels
were determined to prevent a junction of of
the force under Augur and Grover,
of Banks' army, who were moving down from
St. Francis. This brought on the
above-named battle, in
[Pg. 525]
which the negro regiment held the extreme
left, and thus prevented the rebels getting
in the rear of the Union troops.
" 22d.—Companies A and U drove back some rebel pickets,
capturing one man, horse, equipments, and
two rifles. The man was thrown by his horse
and was badly hurt, his head striking
against a tree.
"23d.—We formed a junction to-day with Hanks,
and Port Hudson is invested.
"24th.—Companies E and G, under Captain Blake,
on a scout.
"25th.—To-day the regiment marched from the extreme
left to the extreme right of the Union line,
a hard long tram]) again in heavy order.
At night we encamped near Sandy Creek, close
to the Mississippi. Each man had to
carry his own baggage. This regiment
was never given any wagons.
"26th.—At Sandy Creek protecting men laying the pontoon
bridge. Skirmishing all day with the
rebels. The boys are getting used to
lighting.
"27th.—Storming the batteries. The negro soldiers
prove the bravest of the brave. To-day
was fought one of the most desperate battles
on record. Our brigade, six companies
of the 1st, and nine companies of 3rd
Regiment Louisiana Native Guards, commenced
fighting at quarter of an hour before 6 a.
m. The 1st, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Bassett, advanced in skirmish line up
through the wood and soon drew the enemy's
fire. The 3rd under Lieutenant-Colonel
Finnegass, were in line of battle
about fifty yards in rear of the first, the
whole command under Colonel John A.
Nelson, of the 3rd Regiment. The
rebels opened with infantry fire and shells
at short range, and their fire was very
effective and for a short time the first,
which was in danger of utter destruction,
wavered, when Colonel Bassett
and his colored officers moved among the men
encouraging them by their own fearless
examples. At this crisis, Colonel
Finnegass sent forward his four left
companies, under Captain John E. Quinn,
to support the 1st. Captain Quinn moved up
in good order, placing his left company
under Lieutenant John O'Keefe so as
to face the bridge on his left, held by the
rebels in rifle-pits, Finnegass
keeping the other five companies well in
hand, to use them when most needed.
When within pistol shot of the
fortifications, to their dismay they were
stopped—not by the rebels, but by a back
flow of the river. The water was not.
more than forty feet across, but over eight
feet deep. To cross this without boat
or bridge was impossible, particularly under
such a terrible fire as the rebels poured
upon them in front and on both flanks.
On the left the rebels were actually in
their rear
so far had the gallant fellows advanced.
The slaughter was now be coming fearful.
Colonel Finnegass at this
juncture asked Captain Quinn if he
could cross the water; Quinn called
on volunteers to follow him. The whole that
was left of his own company, G, and
Lieutenant O'Keefe with Company E,
responded to his call, and in they plunged,
the men holding their rifles and cartridge
boxes above their heads. In the mean
time Bassett and Finnegass
(whose men were lying down) kept a continual
fire on the rebel gunners and drove them
from their guns, but the water was too much
for the men, and only 35 or 40—with Quinn
and O'Keefe and Lieutenants
Burnham and Dame—succeeded in
crossing. This handful actually
followed their reckless leader up to the
very cannon's mouth, and for 15 or 20
minutes held the whole rebel battery in
their hands. Colonel
Finnegass seeing that in a few minutes
more his brave, men would be destroyed,
rushed into the water and ordered Quinn
to fall back, as a regiment of rebels were
clambering over the works to get in their
rear. The brave fellows fell back, but
alas, few of them ever answered roll-call
again. Out of the band but six re-crossed
alive, and of these, Lieutenants
O'Keefe, Burnham and Sergeants
Vincent and Taylor, who were
wounded; Quinn and Dame were
the only
[Pg. 526]
ones unhurt. The whole regiment now fell
back about 600 yards, in the shelter of the
woods. Six times we advanced, hoping
to find some spot where the men could cross,
but in vain. We entered tins fight
with 1080 men, and lost 371 killed and 150
wounded; total loss, 421. The rebels shelled
us with their heavy guns, On our front
were artillery und infantry; on our left u
wooded ridge full of riflemen. We had
two six-pounders; one of them was dismounted
early in the fight, and the other the
gunners ran out of range, it being of no
use.
"Now, why were the colored troops left unsupported?
Why were they sent on such hopeless
missions? Why were the officers
informed by General Dwight
that there were clear grounds beyond Sandy
Creek? There were white troops who
could have been sent to their support; the
officers expected to fight the rebels but
met the river. Colonel
Nelson played General to perfection;
during the whole battle he remained on the
safe side of Sandy Creek, and had his corps
of orderlies to attend him; in plain words
he kept his men under fire from quarter
before six A. M., till seven P. M. During
the day he never saw a rebel's face or back.
* * * The heroes of the day were the men;
not one of them showed the "white feather."
Colonel Bassett and his
colored officers of the 1st were as brave as
any men who ever drew a sword, and so were
Finnegass, Lieutenant-Colonel of the
3rd, and Captains Smith,
Daly, Masterson and others. Lientenants
O'Keefe, Burnham, Wiley,
Griggs, Emory, Westervelt
and Dame of the 3rd, and Captain
Quinn, who commanded the left wing
and led the storming column of the 3rd.
Lientenant-Colonel Bassctt
was formerly of the 4th Mississippi
Regiment; Colonel Nelson and
Lientenant-Colonel Finnegass, were
both of Irish parentage; Captain
Daily and Lieutenant Emory,of
the 31st Massachusetts, Lientenant
O'Keefe of the 9th and Burnham,
of the 13th Connecticut, Masterson
and Wiley, of the 20th Massachusetts,
Company A, of the 3rd, were on detached
service. Captain John K. Quinn
is a native of Lowell, Mass.; born April
22nd, 1837 came from the 30th Massachusetts,
in which he was orderly of Company B.
-----
A
correspondent of the New York Tribune
writing, says: "The more I see of our
colored regiments, and the more I converse
with our soldiers, the more convinced I am
that upon them we must ultimately rely as
the principle source of our strength in
these latitudes. It is perfect
nonsense for any one to attempt to talk away
the broad fact, evident as the sun at
noonday, that these men are capable not only
of making good soldiers, but the very best
of soldiers. The Third Louisiana
Native Guard, Colonel Nelson,
are encamped here, and a more orderly,
disciplined, robust, and effective set of
men I defy anyone to produce.
"An old European officer, one who has followed the
profession of arms from his very boyhood,
said to me to-day: 'In one essential
respect, sir, 1 believe that in a short time
these colored soldiers will surpass any we
have in our army— I mean in subordination
—without which no army can be effective.
We are in the habit of carrying our
citizenship with us into the field, and that
begets an amount of undue familiarity
between officers and men that is often
destructive of obedience. Toward the
black man we feel none of these delicate
sentiments of equality, and he, on his part,
has always been accustomed to be commanded.
Beside this he is acclimated, knows the
country thoroughly, and if milled upon to
fight will light in earnest, for he knows
that if taken prisoner he will meet no
mercy.'
"Colonel Nelson, anxious to have an
opportunity of exhibiting to the world what
his command is capable of. and thus put
their manhood beyond all question, has
implored General Banks to put
him in the fore
[Pg. 527]
most point of danger in the coming struggle,
and says that his men are as ready as
himself to stake their lives upon the
result; but the general —doubtless acting
upon explicit orders—says they must, at
present at least, be confined to manning the
fortifications here.
"I am happy to say that the feeling toward these
colored regiments throughout the army is
undergoing the most rapid and extraordinary
changes. Soldiers that only a few months,
nay, weeks ago, would have flown into a
furious passion at the bare idea of a black
man carrying a musket like themselves, now
say, ' O, if you are going to give them
white officers that is another affair
altogether.' "
The following letter gives some interesting
recollections of the military events of the
Department of the Gulf:
"New Orleans, January 18th, 1883.
"To Colonel J. T. Wilson, Norfolk, Va.:
"Friend: Your two circulars issued from Cailloux Post
No. 2 on the 13th inst. are received. It is
quite a compliment to Louisiana to have
named your Post after the hero of Port
Hudson, who immortalized himself in those
celebrated charges in May, 1863.
" It is over twenty years ago that I took a commission
in the 3d Louisiana Native Guard as a senior
lieutenant of Company H. I was quite
intimate with Captain Andre Cailloux.
"Grave doubts had been expressed by Banks, the nominal
commander, and his officers regarding the
fitness of colored men as soldiers.
The perplexing question was, ' Will they
stand their christening under such a hail
storm as will come from those bristling Port
Hudson heights?' In fact those three
colored regiments—the 1st, 2d, and 3d
Louisiana Native Guards, organized in 1862,
and afterward incorporated in the Ullman
Brigade as the 73d, 74th, and 75th —had
become more a subject of test than of real
dependence at the critical juncture of
trial.
"General Osterhaus solved the mystery by
taking command of a division, including the
1st and 3d Native Guards. Those
magnificent series of charges were made by
these two regiments. The first charge
was made on a Sunday, the 27th day of May,
1863, supported on the right by the
celebrated Duryea's Zouaves, of New
York, which were mowed down like grass
before a scythe. It was then and there that
Captain Cailloux gloriously died in
advance of his company while cheering his
men. It was also on that day that the
immortal color-bearer, Anselino, was
killed, and fell within the folds of his
regimental flag, which was besmeared with
his blood, with the broken flag-staff in his
hand. Other strong arms came to the
rescue of the flag only to meet death until
the honor of the flag alone cost the lives
of sixteen men or more. The gallant
Lieutenant Crowder was killed on
the field of honor at the flower of his age.
Captain Sauer was
wounded in the foot while charging.
The 3d Native Guards also sustained its
reputation, and many deeds of valor were
performed by its officers and men. But
when after those engagements the roll-call
was made we had many friends to mourn.
You are aware, I suppose, of an historical
fact. Jefferson Davis
had issued a proclamation that any colored
officer captured at the head of black troops
would not be exchanged, but immediately
hung. It was thus that Lieutenant
Oscar Orillion, when captured
at Jackson, La., was hung and shot to
pieces.
" Port Hudson was surrendered by General
Pemberton the 8th of July, 1863.
General Osterhaus became very
proud of his colored regiments after what he
had seen at Port Hudson.
[Pg. 528]
" Had these two regiments failed, or destiny
betrayed their courage, the colored troops
would have been universally condemned, and
would not have been employed as soldiers,
but used as servants, drivers, and laborers,
on fortifications, bridges, and ditches. To
the 2d Louisiana Native Guards belongs the
honor of having had the first colored major
in the army, and it is Major
Ernest Dumas, now living and
actually in New Orleans.
"The most terrible engagement (1st and 2d) was at
Spanish Fort in Mobile Bay, Ala., shortly
after Fort Pillow's massacre. General
Osterhaus told the colored troops the
night previous to the attack that at break
of day they had to charge and take Spanish
Fort. It was customary with the general to
tell the troops by what regiments they would
be sustained. The men did not seem to be
very enthusiastic, but when they were told
how the rebels had murdered men of their own
color and their white fellow-soldiers
without mercy, they sprang to their guns and
'called unanimously for 'revenge.' Great
God! they had their revenge, sure enough!
The charge was made, the fort taken, and
nearly every rebel slaughtered amid the
deafening yells of the colored and white
troops of 'Remember Fort Pillow.' The
1st and the 3d regiments cleared Alabama up
to Selina.
''As it is impossible for me to devote my time any
longer, and to turn over the leaves of the
past in my clouded memory, which is quite
impaired lately on account of my declining
years, besides the metacarpal bone of my
right hand, which was broken by a musket in
the army, is always painful when 1 write too
much, I will refer you to Sergeant
Calice Dupie, of Company H, 1st
Louisiana Native Guards, Captain
Sauer, who is employed in the custom
house. I am told that Captain H.
Isabell, of the 2d Louisiana Native
Guards, has taken a memorandum of all the
historical incidents of those three
regiments. They are all Louisianians,
and reside in New Orleans. As for the
officers of my regiment (the 3d Native
Guards) they an; all dead nearly, which
makes me think that my time soon will he on
hand.
"Though my information is limited, I have strictly
confined myself to facts which I am sure
will be corroborated by others, I court
investigation upon my statements, and will
always be glad to furnish witnesses to
sustain them.
"Fraternally yours, E. LONGPIE,
"Ex-lst Lt. Co. H 3d L. N.
G., Ex-officer of Anselino Post No. 6G.A.R."
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