Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-12-31
Army Sketches. No. 2.
WILL A NEGRO FIGHT?

L
Infantry, and differed by men selected
from the white regiments stationed a
that post. They were camped near The
/ picket line on what is known as the
Washington Road, and drilled on the
deserted plantations near by daily, rap
idly acquired efficiency in the military
art.
The citizens and many white soldier:
were very loud in their dcnunciations o
"such an outrage, as they were please(
to style the enlisting Of colored men
while others made themselves very merry
at the expense Of the officers and privatei
of said regiment, doubling their courage
prophesying surprises, stampedes, pan
les &C., when the hour Of action should
arrive.
At length the day of trial came A
forage train went out, guarded by de
tachment of 33 men from Co. FL Of thi;
regiment, under command Of a captain
Following the Washington road for 9
few miles, they found field to suit
their wants, and begun at once to load
their wagons. One lieutenant and pri-
vate rode along the road accommodating,
until, on turning bend in the road
they found themselves close upon par
ty OF rebel cavalry, who Immediately
charged at them. Wheeling their horses
they started back in hurry, holly pur-
sued BY the rebs who gained upon them
at every step. Arrived at the top of
the hill above where the wagons were
being loaded, the foremost of the rebs,
a lieutenant, made grab at the loyal
lieutenant, but missed his aim, when he
pulled up his horse, drew his revolver
and fred at him, again missing his aim
At the first alarm the negroes were
formed into line Of battle, and mes
senger sent to Col. Smith to hurry up
with reinforcements. The rebs halted
at the hilltop, some 60 strong, and
formed another battle-line. The COM
mander Of the negroes ordered them to
advance, which they did as steady as
veterans, reserving their fire until close
upon the enemy, when they delivered it
with deadly effect, and charged upon
them, with a ringing hurrah, driving the
gray-coated rascals before them in all
directions after short but fercely con
tested engagement.
Being mounted, the enemy escaped,
leaving a captain and private in our
hands dead, taking five more dead and
five wounded ones in a wagon, and II
empty saddles, as they fed through the
little village Of Washington, Our loss
was four killed and two or three wounded
Thus, in their first fight, and opposed
to double their numbers, the negroes
have demonstrated that they can and
will fight, and most heroically too, and
thus have silenced the ISLANDERS and in
situations of the foes of the negro race.
An incident or two that occurred du-
ring this affair, may be worth preserving,
and will illustrate how the poor, des-
pissed, negro acts when under fire, and
operated upon by the desire to revenge
himself upon the robber of all his rights,
when he has chance to vindicate his
manhood and punish his cruel Cypress
or at the same time.
The rebel captain who endeavored to
engage the captain of the black soldiers,
and dashed up to their lines in search of
him, finding him not come at-able, turnep
and fired his pistol at negro corporal,
sending the ball through his cap, and
cutting his skull considerably, which
brought him to his knees. While in
this position, the reb drew his sword,
and was about to finish the brave fellow
outright, but at this juncture, the rife
of the corporal was brought to bear up
on him, and bullet entering his neck,
made It's exit through the roof of his
traitorous head. Falling from his horse
he exclaimed, I'm dead man." upon
which the corporal struck him over the
head with the butt of his gun several
times, assuring him the while, that "Ifi
You amt dead, you shall be, sartin sure.
Another man, private, shot an off
Ger, and rushed at him, tore off his ac-
licked the blood Of them,
bowling like a tiger meanwhile In fact,
the sight of blood, seemed to excite
them to remarkable degree, and it re
quired all the authority of the officers to
restrain their men, from chasing the
rebs beyond the bounds of prudence.