Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-07-08
IRASBURGH. VERMONT, FRIDAY, JULY <, 1864
GALLANrRY OF THE NEGRO TROOPS.

The accounts of the brave conduct of
the colored troops with Gen. Sturgis' un>
fortunate expedition, seemed at the time
to be extravagant, but they are confirm
| ed by later and fuller accounts. The
colored troops did protec the white
troops on the retreat, after repulsing the
enemy, and bringing their guns back to
Memphis, while nearly every white man
threw his away. A letter to the Cleve-
land Leader gives the following Incl
dents of the bravery Of the colored SOL
diers:
One detachment was driven into a
bayou by much superior force of the
rebels, and rushed up the opposite bank,
exposed to a raking fire. The rebels,
flushed with apparent success, jumped
down into the bayou, when the darkies
turned upon them and killed every man.
When the rebels wished to surrender, all
the answer they received was, "Remem-
ber Fort Pillow" 1t is supposed that
from 100 to $50 rebels were killed in
that bayou. A corporal in Go. Q, 59th,
was ordered to surrender. He let his
would be captor come close to him, when
he struck him with the but of his gun.
While the regiment was fighting in
a ditch, and the order came to retreat,
the color bearer threw out the flag, de-
signing to jump out and get it, but the
rebels rushed for it, and in the struggle
one of the boys knocked down the reb
who had the flag, with his gun, caught
the flag and ran off.
A rebel, with an oath, ordered one of
our men to surrender. He, thinking the
reb's gun was loaded, dropped his gun !;
but on seeing the reb commence loading,
our colored soldier jumped for his gun,
and with it struck his captor dead
Capt. H. being surrounded by abont
dozen rebels, was seen by one of his men,
who called several of his companions .
they rushed forward and fired, killing
several of the enemy, and rescued their
captain. A rebel came up to one and
said-"Come, my good fellow, go with
me and wait on me-" In an instant the
boy shot his would-be master dead.
One man in charge threw his antag-
onist to the ground and pinned him fast,
and as he attempted to withdraw his bay
onet it came off his gun, and as he was
very busy just then, he left him transfx
ed to mother earth. One man killed
rebel, striking him with the but of his
gun, which he broke but being unwil-
ling to stop his work, he loaded his gun
and fred three times before he could get
better gun. The first time, not being
cautious, the rebound of his gun badly
cut his lip. When the troops were in
the ditch, three rebels came to one man
and ordered him to surrender. His gun
being loaded, he shot one and bayoneted
another, and forgetting that he could
bayonet the third, he turned the but OF
his gun and knocked him down,
One man had bis gun spoiled by
shot A rebel ordered him to surren-
der. eyes, massa," he said The rebel
then loaded his gun, when the colored
man jumped on him, took away his gun
and shot him in the mouth. When the
remnant expedition reached Memphis,
the negroes as they moved up Main
street, sung the Battle Cry Of Frees
dom" with as much spirit and energy as
was possible for men in their exhausted
state and the effect was decidedly fine.