Forrest Forrest vs the 106th USCT

[Norman Dasinger Jr]

106th​ United States Colored Troops

The Only All Alabama Black Union Regiment

By Norman Dasinger, Jr


In a February 16, 2022 article for The Redstone Rocket written by Bud McLaughlin, the author wrote, "In late September 1864, a few miles north of Athens [Alabama], a bloody battle took place when Confederate troops led by Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked a Union fortification guarding the train trestle crossing at Sulphur Creek. The bridge was on a vital Union supply line connecting Nashville and Chattanooga. Among the nearly 1,000 Union troops was the 106th​ United States Colored Infantry. "

The 106th​ was organized at Decatur, Alabama, in March of 1864 as the 4th​ Alabama Regiment and designated the 106th​ on May 16th​. It was reported to be the only all Alabama USCT regiment organized during the Civil War. The unit was placed on garrison duty at Pulaski, Tennessee soon after it was formed and it continued to serve in the District of North Alabama guarding the railway between Nashville and Decatur, Alabama – a supply route used by Union General Sherman during his Atlanta Campaign.

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were regiments in the Federal Army that served during the Civil War from 1863 to 1865. President Lincoln initially did not approve of using black soldiers but changed his mind in 1863. In all, 6 cavalry, 14 artillery and 135 infantry regiments designated USCT were formed. By 1865, more than 185,000 men had served in the USCT including 7,000 white officers. African American troops in Alabama were issued the same uniforms, weapons and rations as whites. They were, however, paid less than their white compatriots.

In the summer of 1864, Federal authorities constructed a fortification at Sulphur Creek trestle - in northern Limestone County, Alabama- to guard a segment of the Nashville and Decatur Railroad. The defenses included two blockhouses and a fort atop a hill. On September 25, 1864, Forrest attacked the works and after a two hour bombardment sent a demand trough the lines for the garrison to surrender. The Union commander, Lt Col. John Minnis met with Forrest and decided to capitulate. In the assault, 200 Union troops were killed and the remainder were taken prisoner. Forrest lost maybe 40 killed or wounded. This conflict is considered the bloodiest battle in north Alabama. Captain Andrew Poe of Company C, 106th​ USCT wrote, "I fought until only seven of my men stood living beside me. The graves of my poor men and of our enemies are witnesses that I tried to do a soldiers duty." Poe's cousin was Sherman's Chief Engineer, Orlando Poe, who at that same time was assisting his commander after the capturing of the city of Atlanta earlier that same month.

In Mr. McLaughlin's article he interviewed Mark Hubbs, the commander of the Pvt. Richard Taylor Camp No. 53, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. In the article, Hubbs told the author, "The members of the 106th​ who survived the battle . . . were forced back into slavery. They were sent to Mobile, either by train or marched, to help build earthworks there."

 

[John Hartwell]

Excerpt from "Forrest's Raid into Alabama," as reported in the New York Times, October 1864:

How accurate is this account?

 

[Nathan Stuart]

The casualty rate inflicted by Forrest's command at Sulphur Creek Trestle appears to be in stark contrast with what happened at Fort Pillow. Here, the ratio of Union troops killed to troops engaged in the garrison was about 20%; at Fort Pillow it was around 39%.

 

[danny]

The casualty rate inflicted by Forrest's command at Sulphur Creek Trestle appears to be in stark contrast with what happened at Fort Pillow. Here, the ratio of Union troops killed to troops engaged in the garrison was about 20%; at Fort Pillow it was around 39%.

Your point?

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Your point?

In the wake of the controversy (and allegations made) surrounding the Fort Pillow massacre, relative casualty statistics were compared to determine any different treatments (or behaviors) exercised by Forrest's troopers towards enemy soldiers in similar circumstances.

My point is, that the significant statistical difference shown in 'killed to garrison present' ratios might demonstrate/indicate changes in fighting attitudes by these Southern units.

 

[danny]

In the wake of the controversy (and allegations made) surrounding the Fort Pillow massacre, relative casualty statistics were compared to determine any different treatments (or behaviors) exercised by Forrest's troopers towards enemy soldiers in similar circumstances.

My point is, that the significant statistical difference shown in 'killed to garrison present' ratios might demonstrate/indicate changes in fighting attitudes by these Southern units.

Or, a direct result of any or all of fear, inexperience and little training

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Or, a direct result of any or all of fear, inexperience and little training

Fair point. Think that definitely could have been a factor, but how much of, am uncertain.

In late 1863, Forrest was transferred to an independent command in west Tennessee and left behind most of his veteran cavalry that he had built up over the past two years. (He only took 271 effectives with him from his old force). The bulk of his new command was raised and organized from the various parts of this new area of assignment.

Consequently, think many troopers in his newly formed cavalry units would have been raw and relatively inexperienced at the time of Fort Pillow, and perhaps more likely to have performed erratically and errantly (Sulphur Creek Trestle occurred almost six months later).

 

[jaq7999]

106th​ United States Colored Troops

The Only All Alabama Black Union Regiment

By Norman Dasinger, Jr


In a February 16, 2022 article for The Redstone Rocket written by Bud McLaughlin, the author wrote, "In late September 1864, a few miles north of Athens [Alabama], a bloody battle took place when Confederate troops led by Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked a Union fortification guarding the train trestle crossing at Sulphur Creek. The bridge was on a vital Union supply line connecting Nashville and Chattanooga. Among the nearly 1,000 Union troops was the 106th​ United States Colored Infantry. "

The 106th​ was organized at Decatur, Alabama, in March of 1864 as the 4th​ Alabama Regiment and designated the 106th​ on May 16th​. It was reported to be the only all Alabama USCT regiment organized during the Civil War. The unit was placed on garrison duty at Pulaski, Tennessee soon after it was formed and it continued to serve in the District of North Alabama guarding the railway between Nashville and Decatur, Alabama – a supply route used by Union General Sherman during his Atlanta Campaign.

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were regiments in the Federal Army that served during the Civil War from 1863 to 1865. President Lincoln initially did not approve of using black soldiers but changed his mind in 1863. In all, 6 cavalry, 14 artillery and 135 infantry regiments designated USCT were formed. By 1865, more than 185,000 men had served in the USCT including 7,000 white officers. African American troops in Alabama were issued the same uniforms, weapons and rations as whites. They were, however, paid less than their white compatriots.

In the summer of 1864, Federal authorities constructed a fortification at Sulphur Creek trestle - in northern Limestone County, Alabama- to guard a segment of the Nashville and Decatur Railroad. The defenses included two blockhouses and a fort atop a hill. On September 25, 1864, Forrest attacked the works and after a two hour bombardment sent a demand trough the lines for the garrison to surrender. The Union commander, Lt Col. John Minnis met with Forrest and decided to capitulate. In the assault, 200 Union troops were killed and the remainder were taken prisoner. Forrest lost maybe 40 killed or wounded. This conflict is considered the bloodiest battle in north Alabama. Captain Andrew Poe of Company C, 106th​ USCT wrote, "I fought until only seven of my men stood living beside me. The graves of my poor men and of our enemies are witnesses that I tried to do a soldiers duty." Poe's cousin was Sherman's Chief Engineer, Orlando Poe, who at that same time was assisting his commander after the capturing of the city of Atlanta earlier that same month.

In Mr. McLaughlin's article he interviewed Mark Hubbs, the commander of the Pvt. Richard Taylor Camp No. 53, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. In the article, Hubbs told the author, "The members of the 106th​ who survived the battle . . . were forced back into slavery. They were sent to Mobile, either by train or marched, to help build earthworks there."

Captain Andrew Poe is an ancestor of mine!

106th​ United States Colored Troops

The Only All Alabama Black Union Regiment

By Norman Dasinger, Jr


In a February 16, 2022 article for The Redstone Rocket written by Bud McLaughlin, the author wrote, "In late September 1864, a few miles north of Athens [Alabama], a bloody battle took place when Confederate troops led by Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked a Union fortification guarding the train trestle crossing at Sulphur Creek. The bridge was on a vital Union supply line connecting Nashville and Chattanooga. Among the nearly 1,000 Union troops was the 106th​ United States Colored Infantry. "

The 106th​ was organized at Decatur, Alabama, in March of 1864 as the 4th​ Alabama Regiment and designated the 106th​ on May 16th​. It was reported to be the only all Alabama USCT regiment organized during the Civil War. The unit was placed on garrison duty at Pulaski, Tennessee soon after it was formed and it continued to serve in the District of North Alabama guarding the railway between Nashville and Decatur, Alabama – a supply route used by Union General Sherman during his Atlanta Campaign.

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were regiments in the Federal Army that served during the Civil War from 1863 to 1865. President Lincoln initially did not approve of using black soldiers but changed his mind in 1863. In all, 6 cavalry, 14 artillery and 135 infantry regiments designated USCT were formed. By 1865, more than 185,000 men had served in the USCT including 7,000 white officers. African American troops in Alabama were issued the same uniforms, weapons and rations as whites. They were, however, paid less than their white compatriots.

In the summer of 1864, Federal authorities constructed a fortification at Sulphur Creek trestle - in northern Limestone County, Alabama- to guard a segment of the Nashville and Decatur Railroad. The defenses included two blockhouses and a fort atop a hill. On September 25, 1864, Forrest attacked the works and after a two hour bombardment sent a demand trough the lines for the garrison to surrender. The Union commander, Lt Col. John Minnis met with Forrest and decided to capitulate. In the assault, 200 Union troops were killed and the remainder were taken prisoner. Forrest lost maybe 40 killed or wounded. This conflict is considered the bloodiest battle in north Alabama. Captain Andrew Poe of Company C, 106th​ USCT wrote, "I fought until only seven of my men stood living beside me. The graves of my poor men and of our enemies are witnesses that I tried to do a soldiers duty." Poe's cousin was Sherman's Chief Engineer, Orlando Poe, who at that same time was assisting his commander after the capturing of the city of Atlanta earlier that same month.

In Mr. McLaughlin's article he interviewed Mark Hubbs, the commander of the Pvt. Richard Taylor Camp No. 53, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. In the article, Hubbs told the author, "The members of the 106th​ who survived the battle . . . were forced back into slavery. They were sent to Mobile, either by train or marched, to help build earthworks there."

 

[jaq7999]

Captain Andrew Poe is an ancestor of mine!

and so is Orlando Poe!, My grt.grt. grandfather James Andrew Poe, from Chillicothe Ohio, 1st Ohio volunteer Cavalry!Co.'s M and E

 

[archieclement]

In the wake of the controversy (and allegations made) surrounding the Fort Pillow massacre, relative casualty statistics were compared to determine any different treatments (or behaviors) exercised by Forrest's troopers towards enemy soldiers in similar circumstances.

My point is, that the significant statistical difference shown in 'killed to garrison present' ratios might demonstrate/indicate changes in fighting attitudes by these Southern units.

Or it could Indicate one surrendered in a orderly manner, and the other didn't.

Certainly the conduct of the surrendering troops differed in how organized the surrender was.

Reality is troops trying to escape remain legitimate targets, as are troops firing at you, which nullifies some trying to surrender as far as ordering a cease fire. Surrendering actually involves the side surrendering to both cease fire and cease trying to flee

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Or it could Indicate one surrendered in a orderly manner, and the other didn't.

Certainly the conduct of the surrendering troops differed in how organized the surrender was.

True - that's certainly a possibility.

 

[Stryker65]

Of those captured USCT soldiers:
March 1, 1865:

For February 4, 1865:

It's interesting to note how those POWs that escaped are put down as "Absent without leave," as if they're Confederate soldiers.