Michael_Schaffner
Sergeant
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2010
- Location
- Arlington, Virginia
Recently I came across an account of the battle of Pine Bluff, Arkansas in October, 1863, an engagement involving an attempt by a small Confederate cavalry division (2,000 men, 12 guns under BG Marmaduke) to over run a position held by 55o U.S. cavalrymen. Matters were sufficiently serious for the latter that they called on the superintendent of the nearby contraband camp for help. Help came, the post was saved, and Pine Bluff remained in U.S. hands for the rest of the war:
Headquarters Freedmen,
Pine Bluff, Ark., October 27, 1863.
Colonel Clayton,
Commanding Post of Pine Bluff:
Sir: The following report of the part taken by the negroes under my charge in the action of the 25th instant at this post is respectfully submitted:
When the skirmishing first commenced, I received orders from you to furnish as many men as possible to roll out cotton-bales and form breastworks. I had 300 immediately brought from camp, on double-quick, and from the short space of time in which every street and opening was blockaded you may judge of their efficiency in that respect, especially when you consider that much of the work was accomplished under a heavy fire from the enemy's skirmishers.
By the time the breastworks were completed the fight had become general, and calls for water were urgent to supply the soldiers and quench the fire that had caught to the cotton-bales from our artillery.
I immediately pressed every . water-holding vessel within reach, and formed a chain of negroes with buckets from the top of the bank to the water's edge. At this time a galling fire that opened on them from the enemy killed 1, wounded 3, and for a moment threw them all into confusion, but they were soon rallied, and resumed their work with the most astonishing rapidity. About this time the danger was imminent of the enemy making a charge down the river under cover of the bank. Agreeably to your orders, a breastwork was immediately formed under the bank, and while engaged at this work another was wounded. Fifteen of them had arms, and were ordered to hold the point along the river, which they did throughout the action, some of them firing as many as 30 rounds, and one actually ventured out and captured a prisoner. None of them had ever before seen a battle, and the facility with which they labored and the manly efforts put forth to aid in holding the place excelled my highest expectations, and deserves the applause of their country and the gratitude of the soldiers. Their total loss is 5 killed and 12 wounded. All their clothing left in camp was burned, their cooking utensils carried off, and near 100 tents were either carried off or destroyed; also 2 negroes and 8 mules, belonging to the contraband camp taken.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES B. TALBOT,
Captain and Superintendent of Contrabands.
ORs, Series I, Vol. 22, pt. 1, pp. 724-725
Headquarters Freedmen,
Pine Bluff, Ark., October 27, 1863.
Colonel Clayton,
Commanding Post of Pine Bluff:
Sir: The following report of the part taken by the negroes under my charge in the action of the 25th instant at this post is respectfully submitted:
When the skirmishing first commenced, I received orders from you to furnish as many men as possible to roll out cotton-bales and form breastworks. I had 300 immediately brought from camp, on double-quick, and from the short space of time in which every street and opening was blockaded you may judge of their efficiency in that respect, especially when you consider that much of the work was accomplished under a heavy fire from the enemy's skirmishers.
By the time the breastworks were completed the fight had become general, and calls for water were urgent to supply the soldiers and quench the fire that had caught to the cotton-bales from our artillery.
I immediately pressed every . water-holding vessel within reach, and formed a chain of negroes with buckets from the top of the bank to the water's edge. At this time a galling fire that opened on them from the enemy killed 1, wounded 3, and for a moment threw them all into confusion, but they were soon rallied, and resumed their work with the most astonishing rapidity. About this time the danger was imminent of the enemy making a charge down the river under cover of the bank. Agreeably to your orders, a breastwork was immediately formed under the bank, and while engaged at this work another was wounded. Fifteen of them had arms, and were ordered to hold the point along the river, which they did throughout the action, some of them firing as many as 30 rounds, and one actually ventured out and captured a prisoner. None of them had ever before seen a battle, and the facility with which they labored and the manly efforts put forth to aid in holding the place excelled my highest expectations, and deserves the applause of their country and the gratitude of the soldiers. Their total loss is 5 killed and 12 wounded. All their clothing left in camp was burned, their cooking utensils carried off, and near 100 tents were either carried off or destroyed; also 2 negroes and 8 mules, belonging to the contraband camp taken.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES B. TALBOT,
Captain and Superintendent of Contrabands.
ORs, Series I, Vol. 22, pt. 1, pp. 724-725
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