Civil War History - General DiscussionFor Discussions on Civil War Era Personalities, Politics, Issues, Campaigns, Battles, and more. Serious Civil War Discussions Only Please! All other posts will be deleted.
Betcha anything they were dirty rebs with begrimed faces. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch, Monday Morning Edition, Jan. 16, 1862:
Quote:
Attack on Yankee soldiers by armed negroes.(!)
A member of the Indiana 20th regiment, now encamped near Fortress Monroe, communicates the following absurd and [ ridicuulous ] story to the Indianapolis Journal, on the 23d ult.:
Yesterday morning, Gen. Mansfield, with Drake de Kay, Aide-de-camp, in command of seven companies of the 20th New YorkGerman Rifles, left Newport News on a reconnaissance. Just after passing Newmarket Bridge, seven miles from camp, they detached one company as an advance, and soon after their advance was attacked by 600 of the enemy's cavalry.
The company formed to receive the cavalry, but the cavalry advancing deployed to the right and left when within musket shot, and unmasked a body of 700 negro infantry, all armed with muskets, who opened fire on our men, wounding two lieutenant is and two privates, and rushing forward surrounded the company of Germans, who cut their way through, killing six of the negroes and wounding several more. The main body, hearing the firing, advanced at a double- quick in time to recover their wounded and drive the enemy back, but did not succeed in taking any prisoners. The wounded men testify positively that they were shot by negroes, and that not less than seven hundred were present, armed with muskets.
Commenting upon the above, the same correspondent proceeds as follows:
This is, indeed, a new feature in the war. We have heard of a regiment of negroes at Manassas, another at Memphis, and still another in New Orleans, but did not believe it till it came so near home and attacked our men. There is no mistake about it. The 20th Germans were actually attacked and fired on and wounded by negroes.
It is time that this thing was understood, and if they fight us with negroes, why should not we fight them with negroes too. We have disbelieved these reports too long, and now let us fight the devil with fire. The feeling is intense among the men. They want to know if they came here to fight negroes, and if they did they would like to know it. The wounded men swear they will kill any negro they see, so excited are they at the dastardly act. It remains to be seen how long the Government will now hesitate when they learn these facts. One of the Lieutenants was shot in the back part of the neck, and is not expected to live.
Gary:
An interesting article. Thanks for posting it.
We're talking about a skirmish before 12/23/61 -- publication date in the Indianapolis Journal. Anyone know anything about it where General Mansfield, the 20th Indiana and the 20th New York German Rifles were?
An Indiana soldier writes home about what he heard about what happened to a company in another regiment. (What are the chances that he talked to someone who was there?) The Journal gets it and probably makes it a bit more exciting. Then the Daily Dispatch picks it up and may have made it more exciting.
Isn't every company attacked by at least 6 or 700 soldiers? And is it logical that their fire might have wounded a few more than 4. And how likely is it that a surrounded company cuts its way out of that many.
On the other hand, if it isn't an elaborate hoax or really clever propaganda, there seems to be a grain of truth. Could it be a company of local negroes rounded up for local defense? Or could there really have been some local units of colored troops? Can't believe the 6 to 700. But can't imagine that the company of the 20th NY couldn't tell after cutting their way through to escape.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Baltimore June 7. -- Among the 9th Regiment from Pennsylvania, which passed through this city yesterday, were a number of negro soldiers, who, by their constant association with the whites, had become most impertinent and overbearing. As the regiment was passing along Cathedral street, near the Bolton depot, a lady standing upon the sidewalk was so disgusted with the familiarity of the negroes among the men that she gave vent to her indignation in a rather bitter remark, when an impudent yellow scoundrel turned toward her and applied the epithet of "Go to h--1, you d — n white hussey." The remark was distinctly heard by his comrades, who instead of beating him to the earth as men would have done, laughed heartily at his impudence. The villain was discovered by several citizens afterward, and had it not been for the police he would have been dragged out regardless of consequences.
Clearly these "Negro soldiers" were not soldiers per se but camp followers who adopted Union Army clothing. That the Richmond paper is dated June 10, 1861 shows that they could not be soldiers since blacks weren't allowed into the Union army quite yet.
Clearly these "Negro soldiers" were not soldiers per se but camp followers who adopted Union Army clothing.
And cooks, and curiousities, and amusement. Oooooh! The outrage.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Gary:
An interesting article. Thanks for posting it.
We're talking about a skirmish before 12/23/61 -- publication date in the Indianapolis Journal. Anyone know anything about it where General Mansfield, the 20th Indiana and the 20th New York German Rifles were?
Ole
See: http://www.civilwarfamilyhistory.com/new_page_158.htm[/url] It's amazing what Google will find.
A very interesting scene was witnessed in our streets yesterday morning, previous to the departure of our dark regiment for Norfolk. At an early hour in the day the members were busy receiving their provisions, blankets and shoes; afterwards collecting in the vicinity of the Courthouse. A dense crowd of negroes, composed of friends, relatives and interested lookers on, gathered around and almost blockaded Sycamore and the street leading to the Temple of Justice. At length, about 11 o'clock, when every thing was in readiness, the men were drawn up in line on the Courthouse Square, in the presence of a large assemblage of whites, to listen to an address from John Dodson, Esq., who congratulated them upon the commendable spirit they had shown in the crisis, and complimented them in merited terms upon their willingness, aye, their anxiety to aid in any manner in the defense of our State against her Northern enemies. He felt that Virginia could depend upon the strong arms and ready hearts of those he was addressing, and he bid them do their duty in such a manner as would effectively tell in the defense of the State, and when they returned they would reap a rich reward of praise and merit from a thankful people. Mr. Dodson was frequently interrupted by hearty cheers from the negroes.
Mr. William Fenn next addressed them upon their duties, not only to the State, expressing the hope that he should in no case have to complain of a single member. He also presented them with a beautiful Confederate States flag, made by the true and noble hearted ladies of Bollingbrook street, as a token of their appreciation of the generous efforts thay were about to make, to achieve a successful defense of Virginia soil and principles. The enthusiasm at this point, among the volunteers, was unbounded, and gave partial vent in three rousing cheers for the ladies.
Charles Tinsley, one of their number, stepped forward to receive the flag, and in reply said "We are willing to aid Virginia's cause to the utmost extent of our ability. We do not feel that it is right for us to remain here idle, when white gentlemen are engaged in the performance of work at Norfolk that is more suitable to our hands, and of which it is our duty to relieve them. There is not an unwilling heart among us, not a band but that will tell in the work before us; and we promise unhesitating obedience to all orders that may be given to us." In referring to the flag, he said "I could feel no greater pride, no more genuine gratification, than to be able to plant if first upon the ramparts of Fortress Monroe."
This was truly a patriotic speech, coming from the source it did, and was received with a general outburst of cheering and applause.
The men were then marched down Sycamore street to the tune of "Dixie," to the depot, where, in the presence of an immense crowd of darkies, they took their departure. They numbered just one hundred.
Much feeling was shown, and many affecting scenes were witnessed between the friends at parting.
Petersburg Express, 26 April 1861
~
The company of free negroes, under the command of Captain Finn, who have been engaged at Norfolk for several weeks, returned this afternoon, to spend the holidays with their wives and sweethearts. They will go back next week. It did one good to look on their happy, joyous faces, on which not a care of any kind has left its imprint. They appeared to be quite flush of the needful, and as soon as they were disbanded, numbers of them proceeded to the market-house, for the purpose of treating their families to the delicacies of the season.
oneplez:
The link didn't work for me. What did it say? (Really, really short version.)
Battalion:
Sounds like a work detail: We do not feel that it is right for us to remain here idle, when white gentlemen are engaged in the performance of work at Norfolk that is more suitable to our hands, and of which it is our duty to relieve them. and possibly volunteers. On the other hand, what's with the flag? Love the way the newspapers reported the events. Do you suppose the spokesman's speech was reported verbatim?
As an aside, what holidays were in May?
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
May 1: International Workers' Day. Day for the proletarian peoples to arise and celebrate their triumph (and the triumph of Marxist-Engel) over the greedy, oppressive reactionary captialist who seek to enslave mankind. We bring you fraternity, equality and prosperity - and the first of you who gets too excited will be SHOT.
May 1: International Workers' Day. Day for the proletarian peoples to arise and celebrate their triumph (and the triumph of Marxist-Engel) over the greedy, oppressive reactionary captialist who seek to enslave mankind. We bring you fraternity, equality and prosperity - and the first of you who gets too excited will be SHOT.
You're funnin' me, right? But it your post was more than mildly amusing. Close to hilarious. (My sense of humor frequently misses that of others.)
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
CivilWarTalk.com -
A free and friendly Civil War community. 
Buncha dirty ole Rebs... 
Linear Mode
