Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-07-28
MASSACRE OF COLORED SOL
DIERS BY REBELS.

TIE NEaRoEs CAPTURED AT THE BAT
rLEoY OLosrEE.-Dr. H. o. Marcy. Sur
geon of the Thirty-f fifth regiment Of U. s.
colored troops, writes to the Boston Jour
nat as follows -
=" So frequently have been asked the
question, during my leave or absence
home, by the leading citizens Of Boston
and vicinity. How did the enemy treat
the wounded colored troops who fell into
their hands at the battle Of Olustee, Fla.
that am led to believe that the truth is
not generally known.
Owing to our rapid retreat and lack
of transportation, there were left at our
field hospitals or depot for the wounded
about one hundred colored soldiers, too
severely wounded to walk. The succeed
ing twenty-fo1r hours our forces fell back
about forty-miles This rapid retreat
made many of the less severely wounded
unable to keep with the column. and
they were picked up by the enemy's cav
airy, which followed closely upon our
rear.
owe received no official report from
the enemy of the wounded remaining
prisoners in their hands until about six
weeks after the battle. Eighteen only
of more than seventy of our regiment
who were left upon the field were report
ed, and those suffering from less severe
wounds, who had fallen out and were
taken on the retreat The ratio of wound
ed reported of other colored regiments
engaged was about the same. The num-
Der of killed could not be known, but it
was fair to infer the proportion could not
have been so great.
81 Later direct and positive information
has been received from several parties of
prisoners as we'll as deserters, soldiers in
the battle of Olustee and perfectly con-
versant with the facts, that the morning
after the battle a South Carolina regiment
and the Second Georgia Regulars took
possession of the depot for the wounded,
and not as an armed mob seeking plum
der and destruction, but under order of
their officers. who with their swords ac-
tually set the example, in cold blood
murdered the colored soldiers who, woun-
ded and helpless lay there under The
charge of an assistant surgeon left to at
tend to their wants.
ct was only after reported testimony
of this character from these different
sources that full credence was given to
the above statements. My informants
in each case were of Florida regiments.
They universally lamented the facts, and
stated that it was the general impression
Of those troops now serving in Florida
that if captured by our troops, they would
be denied the rights of prisoners, and
suffer in relation for the enormities COM
mitted by their soldiers at Olustce. "A
guilty conscience needs no accuser.'
"a thrill of horror creeps over US as
we remember Fort Pillow but even that
has no parallel to the numbering in cold
blood, for twelve hours and nights
sleep had INTERVIEWED since the battle,
under command of officers themselves
setting the example, } of hospital full Of
wounded and helpless sufferers.
I" Major Boyle, of our regiment, for
merly from Boston. and known to many
of her citizens, severely wounded and a
prisoner, was taken, as am informed by
an eyewitness, the day following the
, fight to house in the rear, and there a
guard of soldiers had to be placed about
the house to prevent the mob wreaking
their vengeance upon brave and help
less soldier, whose only crime was his
being an officer in n colored regiment.
From the same authority 1 received
information that he was reported to be in
close confinement, on bread and water.
awaiting trial by State law. although the
Rebel General Anderson, in command in
Florida reported by flag of truce that he
had recovered and been sent to the in
terror. Awaiting tho tarly movements Of
our Government in n'iording these brave
men protection duo them ms soldiers of
the United States army, shall we wonder
and blame If some excuses are committed
and that Remember Fort Pillow and
Olustce' become watchwords and rally
ing cries with our colored soldiers Z"