BATTLES IN WHICH COLORED TROOPS PARTICIPATED.
"Alliance," Steamer, Fla. | Bermuda Hundred, Va.
March 8, 1865. | May 4, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 99th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 4th Inf.
|
Amite River, La. | Bermuda Hundred, Va.
March 18, 1865. | May 20, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 77th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 1st Cav.
|
Appomattox Court House, Va. | Bermuda Hundred, Va.
April 9, 1865. | Aug. 24 and 25, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 41st Inf. | U. S. C. T. 7th Inf.
|
Arkansas River, Ark. | Bermuda Hundred, Va.
Dec. 18, 1864. | Nov. 30 and Dec. 4, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 54th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 19th Inf.
|
Ash Bayou, La. | Bermuda Hundred, Va.
Nov. 19, 1864. | Dec. 1, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 93d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 39th Inf.
|
Ashepoo River, S. C. | Bermuda Hundred, Va.
May 16, 1864. | Dec. 13, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 34th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 23d Inf.
|
Ashwood, Miss. | Berwick, La.
June 25, 1864. | April 26, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 63d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 98th Inf.
|
Ashwood Landing, La. | Big Creek, Ark.
May 1 and 4, 1864. | July 26, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 64th Inf. | U. S. C. T. Batt'ry E, 2d Lt. Art.;
| 60th Inf.
|
Athens, Ala. | Big Springs, Ky.
Sept. 24, 1864. | Jan. ——, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 106th, 110th, | U. S. C. T. 12th Hy. Art.
and 111th Inf. |
|
Barrancas, Fla. | Black Creek, Fla.
July 22, 1864. | July 27, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 82d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 35th Inf.
|
Baxter's Springs, Kan. | Black River, La.
Oct. 6, 1863. | Nov. 1, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 83d (new) Inf. | U. S. C. T. 6th Hy. Art.
|
Bayou Bidell, La. | Bogg's Mills, Ark.
Oct. 15, 1864. | Jan. 24, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 52d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 11th (old) Inf.
|
Bayou Boeuf, Ark. | Boyd's Station, Ala.
Dec. 13, 1863. | March 18, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 3d Cav. | U. S. C. T. 101st Inf.
|
Bayou Mason, Miss. | Boykin's Mill, S. C.
July ——, 1864. | April 18, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 66th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 54th (Mass.) Inf.
|
Bayou St. Louis, Miss. | Bradford's Springs, S. C.
Nov. 17, 1863. | April 18, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 91st Inf. | U. S. C. T. 102d Inf.
|
Bayou Tensas, La. | Brawley Fork, Tenn.
Aug. 10, 1863. | March 25, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 48th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 17th Inf.
|
Bayou Tensas, La. | Brice's Cross Roads, Miss.
July 30 and Aug. 26, 1864. | June 10, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 66th Inf. | U. S. C. T. Batt'y F, 2d Lt. Art.;
| 55th and 59th Inf.
|
Bayou Tunica, La. | Briggin Creek, S. C.
Nov. 9, 1863. | Feb. 25, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 73d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 55th (Mass.) Inf.Bryant's Plantation, Fla. | Decatur, Tenn.
Oct. 21, 1864. | Aug. 18, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 3d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 1st Hy. Art.
|
Cabin Creek, Caddo Nation. | Decatur, Ala.
July 1 and 2, 1863. | Oct. 28 and 29, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf. | U. S. C. T. 14th Inf.
|
Cabin Creek, Caddo Nation. | Decatur, Ala.
Nov. 4, 1865. | Dec. 27 and 28, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 54th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 17th Inf.
|
Cabin Point, Va. | Deep Bottom, Va.
Aug. 5, 1864. | Aug. 14 to 18, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 1st Cav. | U. S. C. T. 7th and 9th Inf.
|
Camden, Ark. | Deep Bottom, Va.
April 24, 1864. | Sept. 2 and 6, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 57th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 2d Cav.
|
Camp Marengo, La. | Deep Bottom, Va.
Sept. 14, 1864. | Oct. 1, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 63d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 38th Inf.
|
Cedar Keys, Fla. | Deep Bottom, Va.
Feb. 16, 1865. | Oct. 31, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 2d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 127th Inf.
|
Chapin's Farm, Va. | Deveaux Neck, S. C.
Sept. 29 and 30, 1864. | Dec. 7, 8, and 9, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 2d Cav.; 1st, 4th, | U. S. C. T. 32d, 34th, 55th (Mass.),
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, | and 102d Inf.
9th, 22d, 29th (Conn.), 36th, |
37th, and 38th Inf. | Drury's Bluff, Va.
| May 10, 16, and 20, 1864.
Chapin's Farm, Va. | U. S. C. T. 2d Cav.
Nov. 4, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 22d Inf. | Dutch Gap, Va.
| Aug. 24, 1864.
Chattanooga, Tenn. | U. S. C. T. 22d Inf.
Feb. ——, 1865. |
U. S. C. T. 18th Inf. | Dutch Gap, Va.
| Sept. 7, 1864.
"Chippewia," Steamer, Ark. | U. S. C. T. 4th Inf.
Feb. 17, 1865. |
U. S. C. T. 83d (new) Inf. | Dutch Gap, Va.
| Nov. 17, 1864.
"City Belle," Steamer, La. | U. S. C. T. 36th Inf.
May 3, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 73d Int. | East Pascagoula, Miss.
| April 9, 1863.
City Point, Va. | U. S. C. T. Cos. B. and C.,
May 6, 1864. | 74th Inf.
U. S. C. T. 5th Inf. |
| Eastport, Miss.
City Point, Va. | Oct. 10, 1864.
June ——, 1864. | U. S. C. T. 61st Inf.
U. S. C. T. Batt'y B, 2d Lt. Art.|
| Fair Oaks, Va.
Clarksville, Ark. | Oct. 27 and 28, 1864.
Jan. 18, 1865. | U. S. C. T. 1st, 5th, 9th, 22d,
U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf. | 29th (Conn.), and 37th Inf.
|
Clinton, La. |
Aug. 25, 1864. | Federal Point, N. C.
U. S. C. T. 4th Cav. | Feb. 11, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 39th Inf.
Coleman's Plantation, Miss. |
July 4, 1864. | Fillmore, Va.
U. S. C. T. 52d Inf. | Oct. 4, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 1st Inf.
Columbia, La. |
Feb. 4, 1864. | Floyd, La.
U. S. C. T. 66th Inf. | July —, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 51st Inf.
Concordia Bayou, La. |
Aug. 5, 1864. | Fort Adams, La.
U. S. C. T. 6th Hy. Art. | Oct. 5, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 3d Cav.
Cow Creek, Kan. |
Nov. 14, 1864. | Fort Anderson, Ky.
U. S. C. T. 54th Inf. | March 25, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 8th Hy. Art.
Cox's Bridge, N. C. |
March 24, 1865. | Fort Blakely, Ala.
U. S. C. T. 30th Inf. | March 31 to April 9, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 47th, 48th, 50th, 51st,
Dallas, Ga. | 68th, 73d, 76th,82d, and 86th Inf.
May 31, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 40th Inf. | Fort Brady, Va.
| Jan. 24, 1865.
Dalton, Ga. | U. S. C. T. 118th Inf.
Aug. 15 and 16, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 14th Inf. | Fort Burnham, Va.
| Dec. 10, 1864.
Darbytown Road, Va. | U. S. C. T. 41st Inf.
Oct. 13, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 7th, 8th, 9th, and | Fort Burnham, Va.
29th (Conn.) Inf. | Jan. 24, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 7th Inf.
Davis's Bend, La. |
June 2 and 29, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 64th Inf. |Fort Donelson, Tenn. | Henderson, Ky.
Oct. 11, 1864. | Sept. 25, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 4th Hy. Art. | U. S. C. T. 118th Inf.
|
Fort Gaines, Ala. | Holly Springs, Miss.
Aug. 2 to 8, 1864. | Aug. 28, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 96th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 11th (new) Inf.
|
Fort Gibson, Caddo Nation. | Honey Hill, S. C.
Sept. 16, 1864. | Nov. 30, 1864,
U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf. | U. S. C. T. 32d, 35th, 54th,
| and 55th (Mass.), and 102d Inf.
Fort Gibson, Caddo Nation. |
Sept., 1865. | Honey Springs, Kan.
U. S. C. T. 54th Inf. | July 17, 1863.
| U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf.
Fort Jones, Ky. |
Feb. 18, 1865. | Hopkinsville, Va.
U. S. C. T. 12th Hy. Art. | Dec. 12, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 5th Cav.
Fort Pillow, Tenn. |
April 12, 1864. | Horse-Head Creek, Ark.
U. S. C. T. Batt'y F, 2d Lt. | Feb. 17, 1864.
Art.; 11th (new) Inf. | U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf.
|
Fort Pocahontas, Va. | Indian Bay, Ark.
Aug., 1864. | April 13, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 1st Cav. | U. S. C. T. 56th Inf.
|
Fort Smith, Ark. | Indiantown, N. C.
Aug. 24, 1864. | Dec. 18, 1863.
U. S. C. T. 11th (old) Inf. | U. S. C. T. 36th Inf.
|
Fort Smith, Ark. | Indian Village, La.
Dec. 24, 1864. | Aug. 6, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 83d (new) Inf. | U. S. C. T. 11th Hy. Art.
|
Fort Taylor, Fla. | Island Mound, Mo.
Aug. 21, 1864. | Oct. 27 and 29, 1862.
U. S. C. T. 2d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf.
|
Fort Wagner, S. C. | Island No. 76, Miss.
July 18 and Sept. 6, 1863. | Jan. 20, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 54th (Mass.) Inf. | U. S. C. T. Batt'y E, 2d Lt. Art.
|
Fort Wagner, S. C. | Issaquena County, Miss.
Aug. 26, 1863. | July 10 and Aug. 17, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 3d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 66th Inf.
|
Franklin, Miss. | Jackson, La.
Jan. 2, 1865. | Aug. 3, 1863.
U. S. C. T. 3d Cav. | U. S. C. T. 73d, 75th, and 78th Inf.
|
Ghent, Ky. | Jackson, Miss.
Aug. 29, 1864. | July 5, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 117th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 3d Cav.
|
Glasgow, Mo. | Jacksonville, Fla.
Oct. 15, 1864. | March 29, 1863.
U. S. C. T. 62d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 33d Inf.
|
Glasgow, Ky. | Jacksonville, Fla.
March 25, 1865. | May 1 and 28, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 119th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 7th Inf.
|
Goodrich's Landing, La. | Jacksonville, Fla.
March 24 and July 16, 1864. | April 4, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 66th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 3d Inf.
|
Grand Gulf, Miss. | James Island, S. C.
July 16, 1864. | July 16, 1863.
U. S. C. T. 53d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 54th (Mass.) Inf.
|
Gregory's Farm, S. C. | James Island, S. C.
Dec. 5 and 9, 1864. | May 21, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 26th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 55th (Mass.) Inf.
|
Hall Island, S. C. | James Island, S. C.
Nov. 24, 1863. | July 1 and 2, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 33d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 33d and
| 55th (Mass.) Inf.
Harrodsburg, Ky. |
Oct. 21, 1864. | James Island, S. C.
U. S. C. T. 5th Cav. | July 5 and 7, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 7th Inf.
Hatcher's Run, Va. |
Oct. 27 and 28, 1864. | James Island. S. C.
U. S. C. T. 27th, 39th, 41st, | Feb. 10, 1865.
43d, and 45th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 55th (Mass.) Inf.
|
Haynes Bluff, Miss. | Jenkins's Ferry, Ark.
Feb. 3, 1864. | April 30, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 53d Inf. | U. S. C. T. 79th (new) and
| 83d (new) Inf.
Haynes Bluff, Miss. |
April, 1864. | Jenkins's Ferry, Ark.
U. S. C. T. 3d Cav. | May 4, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 83d (new) Inf.
Helena, Ark. |
Aug. 2, 1864. | John's Island, S. C.
U. S. C. T. 64th Inf. | July 5 and 7, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 26th Inf.John's Island, S. C. | Mount Pleasant Landing, La.
July 9, 1864. | May 15, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 7th and 34th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 67th Inf.
|
Johnsonville, Tenn. | Mud Creek, Ala.
Sept. 25, 1864. | Jan. 5, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 13th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 106th Inf.
|
Jones's Bridge, Va. | Murfreesboro', Tenn.
June 23, 1864. | Dec. 24, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 28th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 12th Inf.
|
Joy's Ford, Ark. | N. and N. W. R. R., Tenn.
Jan. 8, 1865. | Sept. 4, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf. | U. S. C. T. 100th Inf.
|
Lake Providence, La. | Nashville, Tenn.
May 27, 1863. | May 24, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 15th Inf.
Lawrence, Kan. |
July 27, 1863. | Nashville, Tenn.
U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf. | Dec. 2 and 21, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 44th Inf.
Little Rock, Ark. |
April 26 and May 28, 1864. | Nashville, Tenn.
U. S. C. T. 57th Inf. | Dec. 7, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 18th Inf.
Liverpool Heights, Miss. |
Feb. 3, 1864. | Nashville, Tenn.
U. S. C. T. 47th Inf. | Dec. 15 and 16, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 12th, 13th, 14th, 17th,
"Lotus," Steamer, Kan. | 18th, and 100th Inf.
Jan. 17, 1865. |
U. S. C. T. 83d (new) Inf. | Natchez, Miss.
| Nov. 11, 1863.
Madison Station, Ala. | U. S. C. T. 58th Inf.
Nov. 26, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 101st Inf. | Natchez, Miss.
| April 25, 1864.
Magnolia, Tenn. | U. S. C. T. 98th Inf.
Jan. 7, 1865. |
U. S. C. T. 15th Inf. | Natural Bridge, Fla.
| March 6, 1865.
Mariana, Fla. | U. S. C. T. 2d and 99th Inf.
Sept. 27, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 82d Inf. | New Kent Court House, Va.
| March 2, 1864.
Marion, Va. | U. S. C. T. 5th Inf.
Dec. 18, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 6th Cav. | New Market Heights, Va.
| June 24, 1864.
Marion County, Fla. | U. S. C. T. 22d Inf.
March 10, 1865. |
U. S. C. T. 3d Inf. | Olustee, Fla.
| Feb. 20, 1864.
McKay's Point, S. C. | U. S. C. T. 8th, 35th,
Dec. 22, 1864. | and 54th (Mass.) Inf.
U. S. C. T. 26th Inf. |
| Owensboro', Ky.
Meffleton Lodge, Ark. | Aug. 27, 1864.
June 29, 1864. | U. S. C. T. 108th Inf.
U. S. C. T. 56th Inf. |
| Palmetto Ranch, Texas.
Memphis, Tenn. | May 15, 1865.
Aug. 21, 1864. | U. S. C. T. 62d Inf.
U. S. C. T. 61st Inf. |
| Pass Manchas, La.
Milliken's Bend, La. | March 20, 1864.
June 5, 6, and 7, 1863. | U. S. C. T. 10th Hy. Art.
U. S. C. T. 5th Hy. Art.; |
49th and 51st Inf. | Petersburg, Va.
| June 15, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
Milltown Bluff, S. C. | U. S. C. T. 5th (Mass.) Cav.;
July 10, 1863. | 1st, 4th, 5th,6th, 7th, 10th, 19th,
U. S. C. T. 33d Inf. | 22d, 23d, 27th, 28th, 29th,
| 29th (Conn.), 30th, 31st, 36th,
Mitchell's Creek, Fla. | 39th, 41st, 43d, 45th, and
Dec. 17, 1864. | 116th Inf.
U. S. C. T. 82d Inf. |
| Pierson's Farm, Va.
Morganzia, La. | June 16, 1864.
May 18, 1864. | U. S. C. T. 36th Inf.
U. S. C. T. 73d Inf. |
| Pine Barren Creek, Ala.
Morganzia, La. | Dec. 17, 18, and 19, 1864.
Nov. 23, 1864. | U. S. C. T. 97th Inf.
U. S. C. T. 84th Inf. |
| Pine Barren Ford, Fla.
Moscow, Tenn. | Dec. 17 and 18, 1864.
June 15, 1864. | U. S. C. T. 82d Inf.
U. S. C. T. 55th Inf. |
| Pine Bluff, Ark.
Moscow Station, Tenn. | July 2, 1864.
Dec. 4, 1863. | U. S. C. T. 64th Inf.
U. S. C. T. 61st Inf. |
| Pleasant Hill, La.
Mound Plantation, La. | April 9, 1864.
June 29, 1863. | U. S. C. T. 75th Inf.
U. S. C. T. 46th Inf. |
| Plymouth, N. C.
| Nov. 26, 1863, and April 18, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 10th Inf.Plymouth, N. C. | Saltville, Va.
April 1, 1864. | Oct. 2, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 37th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 5th and 6th Cav.
|
Point Lookout, Va. | Saltville, Va.
May 13, 1864. | Dec. 20, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 36th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 5th Cav.
|
Point of Rocks, Md. | Sand Mountain, Tenn.
June 9, 1864. | Jan. 27, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 2d Cav. | U. S. C. T. 18th Inf.
|
Point Pleasant, La. | Sandy Swamp, N. C.
June 25, 1864. | Dec. 18, 1863.
U. S. C. T. 64th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 5th Inf.
|
Poison Springs, Ark. | Scottsboro', Ala.
April 18, 1864. | Jan. 8, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf. | U. S. C. T. 101st Inf.
|
Port Hudson, La. | Section 37, N. and N.W.R.R., Tenn.
May 22 to July 8, 1863. | Nov. 24, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 73d, 75th, 78th, | U. S. C. T. 12th Inf.
79th (old), 80th, 81st, 82d, |
and 95th Inf. | Sherwood, Mo.
| May 18, 1863.
Powhatan, Va. | U. S. C. T, 79th (new) Inf.
Jan. 25, 1865. |
U. S. C. T. 1st Cav. | Simpsonville, Ky.
| Jan. 25, 1865.
Prairie D'ann, Ark. | U. S. C. T. 5th Cav.
April 13, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 79th (new) and | Smithfield, Va.
83d (new) Inf. | Aug. 30, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 1st Cav.
Pulaski, Tenn. |
May 13, 1864. | Smithfield, Ky.
U. S. C. T. 111th Inf. | Jan, 5, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 6th Cav.
Raleigh, N. C. |
April 7, 1865. | South Tunnel, Tenn.
U. S. C. T. 5th Inf. | Oct. 10, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 40th Inf.
Rector's Farm, Ark. |
Dec. 19, 1864. | Spanish Fort, Ala.
U. S. C. T. 83d (new) Inf. | March 27 to April 8, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 68th Inf.
Red River Expedition, La. |
May ——, 1864. | Suffolk, Va.
U. S. C. T. 92d Inf. | March 9, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 2d Cav.
Richland, Tenn. |
Sept. 26, 1864. | Sugar Loaf Hill, N. C.
U. S. C. T. 111th Inf. | Jan. 19, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 6th Inf.
Richmond, Va. |
Oct. 28 and 29, 1864. | Sugar Loaf Hill, N. C.
U. S. C. T. 2d Cav.; 7th Inf. | Feb. 11, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 4th, 6th, and 30th Inf.
Ripley, Miss. |
June 7, 1864. | Sulphur Branch Trestle, Ala.
U. S. C. T. 55th Inf. | Sept. 25, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 111th Inf.
Roache's Plantation, Miss. |
March 31, 1864. | Swift's Creek, S. C.
U. S. C. T. 3d Cav. | April 19, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 102d Inf.
Rolling Fork, Miss. |
Nov. 22, 1864. | Taylorsville, Ky.
U. S. C. T. 3d Cav. | April 18, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 119th Inf.
Roseville Creek, Ark. |
March 20, 1864. | Timber Hill, Caddo Nation.
U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf. | Nov. 19, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 79th (new) Inf.
Ross's Landing, Ark. |
Feb. 14, 1864. | Town Creek, N. C.
U. S. C. T. 51st Inf. | Feb. 20, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 1st Inf.
St. John's River, S. C. |
May 23, 1864. | Township, Fla.
U. S. C. T. 35th Inf. | Jan. 26, 1863.
| U. S. C. T. 33d Inf.
St. Stephen's, S. C. |
March 1, 1865. | Tupelo, Miss.
U. S. C. T. 55th (Mass.) Inf. | July 13, 14, and 15, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 59th, 61st, and 68th Inf.
Saline River, Ark. |
May 4, 1864. | Vicksburg, Miss.
U. S. C. T. 83d (new) Inf. | Aug. 27, 1863.
| U. S. C. T. 5th Hy. Art.
Saline River, Ark. |
May ——, 1865. | Vicksburg, Miss.
U. S. C. T. 54th Inf. | Feb. 13, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 52d Inf.
Salkehatchie, S. C. |
Feb. 9, 1865. | Vicksburg, Miss.
U. S. C. T. 102d Inf. | June 4, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 3d Cav.
Saltville, Va. |
Oct. 2, 1864. | Vicksburg, Miss.
U. S. C. T. 5th and 6th Cav. | July 4, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 48th Inf.Vidalia, La. | Williamsburg, Va.
July 22, 1864. | March 4, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 6th Hy. Art. | U. S. C. T. 6th Inf.
|
Wallace's Ferry, Ark. | Wilmington, N. C.
July 26, 1864. | Feb. 22, 1865.
U. S. C. T. 56th Inf. | U. S. C. T. 1st. Inf.
|
Warsaw, N. C. | Wilson's Landing, Va.
April 6, 1865. | June 11, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 1st Inf. | U. S. C. T. 1st Cav.
|
Waterford, Miss. | Wilson's Wharf, Va.
Aug. 16 and 17, 1864. | May 24, 1864.
U. S. C. T. 55th and 61st Inf. | U. S. C. T. Batt'y B, 2d Lt. Art.;
| 1st and 10th Inf.
Waterloo, La. |
Oct. 20, 1864. | Yazoo City, Miss.
U. S. C. T. 75th Inf. | March 5, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 3d Cav.; 47th Inf.
Waterproof, La. |
Feb. 14, 1864. | Yazoo City, Miss.
U. S. C. T. 49th Inf. | May 13, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 3d Cav.
Waterproof, La. |
April 20, 1864. | Yazoo City, Miss.
U. S. C. T. 63d Inf. | March 15, 1865.
| U. S. C. T. 3d Cav.
White Oak Road, Va. |
March 31, 1865. | Yazoo Expedition, Miss.
U. S. C. T. 29th Inf. | Feb. 28, 1864.
| U. S. C. T. 3d Cav.
White River, Ark. |
Oct. 22, 1864. |
U. S. C. T. 53 Inf. |
CHAPTER XX.
HOISTING THE BLACK FLAG.—OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS.
GENERAL S. D. LEE TO GENERAL COOPER.
Headquarters Department Alabama, Mississippi, and }
East Louisiana, Meridian, June 30, 1864. }General: I have the honor to transmit copies of correspondence between General Washburn, U. S. A., General Forrest, and myself, which I consider very important, and should be laid before the Department. It will be my endeavor to avoid, as far as is consistent with my idea of the dignity of my position, resorting to such an extremity as the black flag; and the onus shall be with the Federal commander.
I would like that the onus be put where it properly belongs, before the public, should the extremity arise. The correspondence is not complete yet, and the Department will be informed of the result at the earliest practicable moment.
I am, General, yours respectfully,
S. D. LEE, Lieutenant-General.
General S. Cooper, A. and I. G., Richmond, Va.
GENERAL FORREST TO GENERAL WASHBURN.
Headquarters Forrest's Cavalry, }
In the Field, June 14, 1864. }Major-General Washburn, Commanding United States Forces, Memphis:
General: I have the honor herewith to enclose copy of letter received from Brigadier-General Buford, commanding United States forces at Helena, Arkansas, addressed to Colonel E. W. Rucker, commanding Sixth Regiment of this command; also a letter from myself to General Buford, which I respectfully request you will read and forward to him.
There is a matter also to which I desire to call your attention, which, until now, I have not thought proper to make the subject of a communication. Recent events render it necessary,—in fact, demand it.
It has been reported to me that all the negro troops stationed in Memphis took an oath on their knees, in the presence of Major-General Hurlbut and other officers of your army, to avenge Fort Pillow, and that they would show my troops no quarter.
Again, I have it from indisputable authority that the troops under Brigadier-General Sturgis, on their recent march from Memphis, publicly and in various places proclaimed that no quarter would be shown my men. As his troops were moved into action on the eleventh, the officers commanding exhorted their men to remember Fort Pillow, and a large majority of the prisoners we have captured from that command have voluntarily stated that they expected us to murder them, otherwise they would have surrendered in a body rather than taken to the bushes after being run down and exhausted. The recent battle of Tishemingo Creek was far more bloody than it otherwise would have been but for the fact that your men evidently expected to be slaughtered when captured, and both sides acted as though neither felt safe in surrendering even when further resistance was useless. The prisoners captured by us say they felt condemned by the announcements, etc., of their own commanders, and expected no quarter. In all my operations since the war began, I have conducted the war on civilized principles, and desire still to do so, but it is due to my command that they should know the position you occupy and the policy you intend to pursue. I therefore respectfully ask whether my men in your hands are treated as other Confederate prisoners, also the course intended to be pursued in regard to those who may hereafter fall into your hands.
I have in my possession quite a number of wounded officers and men of General Sturgis's command, all of whom have been treated as well as we have been able to treat them, and are mostly in charge of a surgeon left at Ripley by General Sturgis to look after the wounded. Some of them are too severely wounded to be removed at present. I am willing to exchange them for any men of my command you may have, and as soon as they are able to be removed will give them safe escort through my lines in charge of the surgeon left with them.
I made such an arrangement with Major-General Hurlbut when he was in command of Memphis, and am willing to renew it, provided it is desired, as it would be better than to subject them to the long and fatiguing delay necessary to a regular exchange at City Point, Virginia.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. B. FORREST, Major-General.
GENERAL WASHBURN TO GENERAL LEE.
Headquarters District of West Tennessee, }
Memphis, Tenn., June 17, 1864. }Major-General S. D. Lee, Commanding Confederate Forces near Tupelo, Miss.:
General: When I heard that the forces of Brigadier-General Sturgis had been driven back, and a portion of them probably captured, I felt considerable solicitude for the fate of the two colored regiments that formed a part of the command, until I was informed that the Confederate forces were commanded by you. When I learned that, I became satisfied that no atrocities would be committed upon those troops, but that they would receive the treatment which humanity as well as their gallant conduct demanded.
I regret to say that the hope that I entertained has been dispelled by facts which have recently come to my knowledge.
From statements that have been made to me by colored soldiers who were eye-witnesses, it would seem that the massacre at Fort Pillow had been reproduced at the late affair at Bryce's Cross-roads. The detail of the atrocities there committed I will not trouble you with. If true, and not disavowed, they must lead to consequences too fearful to contemplate. It is best that we should now have a fair understanding upon this question, of the treatment of this class of soldiers. If it is contemplated by the Confederate government to murder all colored troops that may by chance of war fall into their hands, as was the case at Fort Pillow, it is but fair that it should be freely and frankly avowed. Within the last six weeks I have, on two occasions, sent colored troops into the field from this point. In the expectation that the Confederate government would disavow the action of their commanding general at the Fort Pillow massacre, I have forborne to issue any instructions to the colored troops as to the course they should pursue toward Confederate soldiers. No disavowal on the part of the Confederate government having been made, but, on the contrary, laudations from the entire Southern press of the perpetrators of the massacre, I may safely presume that indiscriminate slaughter is to be the fate of colored troops that fall into your hands. But I am not willing to leave a matter of such grave import, and involving consequences so fearful, to inference, and I have therefore thought it proper to address you this, believing that you would be able to indicate the policy that the Confederate government intend to pursue hereafter on this question.
If it is intended to raise the black flag against that unfortunate race, they will cheerfully accept the issue. Up to this time no troops have fought more gallantly, and none have conducted themselves with greater propriety. They have fully vindicated their right (so long denied) to be treated as men.
I hope that I have been misinformed in regard to the treatment they have received at the battle of Bryce's Cross-roads, and that the accounts received result rather from the excited imaginations of the fugitives than from actual fact.
For the government of the colored troops under my command, I would thank you to inform me, with as little delay as possible, if it is your intention, or the intention of the Confederate government, to murder colored soldiers that may fall into your hands, or treat them as prisoners of war, and subject to be exchanged as other prisoners.
I am, General, respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. C. WASHBURN, Major-General, Commanding.
GENERAL WASHBURN TO GENERAL FORREST.
Headquarters District of West Tennessee, }
Memphis, Tenn., June 19, 1864. }Major-General N. B. Forrest, Commanding Confederate Forces:
General: Your communication of the fourteenth instant is received. The letter to Brigadier-General Buford will be forwarded to him.
In regard to that part of your letter which relates to colored troops, I beg to say that I have already sent a communication on the subject to the officer in command of the Confederate forces at Tupelo.
Having understood that Major-General S. D. Lee was in command there, I directed my letter to him—a copy of it I enclose. You say in your letter that it has been reported to you that all the negro troops stationed in Memphis took an oath on their knees, in the presence of Major-General Hurlbut, and other officers of our army, to avenge Fort Pillow, and that they would show your troops no quarter.
I believe it is true that the colored troops did take such an oath, but not in the presence of General Hurlbut. From what I can learn, this act of theirs was not influenced by any white officer, but was the result of their own sense of what was due to themselves and their fellows who had been mercilessly slaughtered.
I have no doubt that they went into the field, as you allege, in the full belief that they would be murdered in case they fell into your hands. The affair at Fort Pillow fully justified that belief. I am not aware as to what they proclaimed on their late march, and it may be, as you say, that they declared that no quarter would be given to any of your men that might fall into their hands.
Your declaration that you have conducted the war, on all occasions, on civilized principles, cannot be accepted; but I receive with satisfaction the intimation in your letter that the recent slaughter of colored troops at the battle of Tishemingo Creek resulted rather from the desperation with which they fought than a predetermined intention to give them no quarter.
You must have learned by this time that the attempt to intimidate the colored troops by indiscriminate slaughter has signally failed, and that, instead of a feeling of terror, you have aroused a spirit of courage and desperation that will not down at your bidding.
I am left in doubt, by your letter, as to the course you and the Confederate government intend to pursue hereafter in regard to colored troops, and I beg you to advise me, with as little delay as possible, as to your intentions.
If you intend to treat such of them as fall into your hands as prisoners of war, please so state; if you do not so intend, but contemplate either their slaughter or their return to slavery, please state that, so that we may have no misunderstanding hereafter. If the former is your intention, I shall receive the announcement with pleasure, and shall explain the fact to the colored troops at once, and desire that they recall the oath they have taken; if the latter is the case, then let the oath stand, and upon those who have aroused this spirit by their atrocities, and upon the government and people who sanction it, be the consequences.
In regard to your inquiry relating to prisoners of your command in our hands, I have to state that they have always received the treatment which a great and humane Government extends to its prisoners. What course will be pursued hereafter toward them must, of course, depend on circumstances that may arise. If your command, hereafter, does nothing which should properly exclude them from being treated as prisoners of war, they will be so treated.
I thank you for your offer to exchange wounded officers and men in your hands. If you will send them in, I will exchange man for man, so far as I have the ability to do so.
Before closing this letter, I wish to call your attention to one case of unparalleled outrage and murder that has been brought to my notice, and in regard to which the evidence is overwhelming.
Among the prisoners captured at Fort Pillow was Major Bradford, who had charge of the defence of the fort after the fall of Major Booth.
After being taken prisoner, he was started with other prisoners of war, in charge of Colonel Duckworth, for Jackson. At Brownsville they rested over night. The following morning two companies were detailed by Colonel Duckworth to proceed to Jackson with the prisoners.
After they had started, and proceeded a very short distance, five soldiers were recalled by Colonel Duckworth, and were conferred with by him; they then rejoined the column, and after proceeding about five miles from Brownsville the column was halted, and Major Bradford taken about fifty yards from the roadside and deliberately shot by the five men who had been recalled by Colonel Duckworth, and his body left unburied upon the ground where he fell.
He now lies buried near the spot, and, if you desire, you can easily satisfy yourself of the truth of what I assert. I beg leave to say to you that this transaction hardly justifies your remark, that your operations have been conducted on civilized principles, and until you take some steps to bring the perpetrators of this outrage to justice, the world will not fail to believe that it had your sanction.
I am, General, your obedient servant,
C. C. WASHBURN, Major-General Commanding.
GENERAL FORREST TO GENERAL WASHBURN.
Headquarters Forrest's Cavalry, }
Tupelo, Miss., June 20, 1864. }Major-General C. C. Washburn, Commanding U. S. Forces, Memphis, Tenn.
General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt (per flag of truce) of your letter of the seventeenth instant, addressed to Major-General S. D. Lee, or officer commanding Confederate forces near Tupelo. I have forwarded it to General Lee, with a copy of this letter.
I regard your letter as discourteous to the commanding officer of this department, and grossly insulting to myself.
You seek by implied threats to intimidate him, and assume the privilege of denouncing me as a murderer, and as guilty of the wholesale slaughter of the garrison at Fort Pillow, and found your assertion upon the ex parte testimony of (your friends) the enemies of myself and country. I shall not enter into the discussion, therefore, of any of the questions involved, nor undertake any refutation of the charges made by you against myself; nevertheless, as a matter of personal privilege alone, I unhesitatingly say that they are unfounded and unwarranted by the facts. But whether those charges are true or false, they, with the question you ask, as to whether negro troops, when captured, will be recognized and treated as prisoners of war, subject to exchange, etc., are matters which the governments of the United States and Confederate States are to decide and adjust, not their subordinate officers. I regard captured negroes as I do other captured property, and not as captured soldiers; but as to how regarded by my government, and the disposition which has been and will hereafter be made of them, I respectfully refer you, through the proper channel, to the authorities at Richmond. It is not the policy or the interest of the South to destroy the negro; on the contrary to preserve and protect him, and all who have surrendered to us have received kind and humane treatment.
Since the war began I have captured many thousand Federal prisoners, and they, including the survivors of the "Fort Pillow Massacre," "black and white," are living witnesses of the fact that with my knowledge or consent, or by my order, not one of them has ever been insulted, or in any way maltreated.
You speak of your forbearance in not giving your negro troops instructions and orders as to the course they should pursue in regard to Confederate soldiers that might fall into their (your) hands, which clearly conveys to my mind two very distinct impressions. The first is, that in not giving them instructions and orders, you have left the matter entirely to the discretion of the negroes as to how they should dispose of prisoners. Second, an implied threat to give such orders as will lead to "consequences too fearful" for contemplation. In confirmation of the correctness of the first impression (which your language now fully develops), refer most respectfully to my letter from the battle-field, Tishemingo Creek, and forwarded you by flag of truce on the fourteenth instant. As to the second impression, you seem disposed to take into your own hands the settlements which belong to, and can only be settled by, your government; but if you are prepared to take upon yourself the responsibility of inaugurating a system of warfare contrary to civilized usages, the onus as well as the consequences will be chargeable to yourself.
Deprecating, as I should do, such a state of affairs; determined, as I am, not to be instrumental in bringing it about; feeling and knowing, as I do, that I have the approval of my government, my people, and my conscience as to the past, and with the firm belief that I will be sustained by them in my future policy, it is left with you to determine what that policy shall be, whether in accordance with the laws of civilised nations, or in violation of them.
I am, General, yours, very respectfully,
N. B. FORREST, Major-General.