Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-06-25
Correspondence OF the Cleveland Leadea.l

round the f ~, boys P-IHeidssts shoa0ihg |
their COurG9e-DespeTats HIHd. TO- hand |
EncoGnrsTs.
Correspondence ofthe Cleveland Leadea.l
HEADo'Rs 59rH o. s Inf, (Colored.)l
MENPHls, Tenn, June 18Th, 1854. I |
At the present time the question: "Will |
the negro 6ght2" is one Of absorbing in.
terest to the American people. Il is no
longer question Of mere theoretie inter
eat. 1t is one full Of practical import with
all loyal men. Until recently, it has been
supposed that he would not, really, cOTld
not make good soldier. Even now the
public mind Is divided on this question
Hoping thereby to throw some light on
subject that at the present time is SO vital
to the nations welfare, propose to liVe a
brief sketch Of the part taken by the col
ored troops in the recent expedition un-
der General Sturgess to Brics Cross
Roads, near Guntown, Mississippi.
Only two regiments of the cOlOred brig
ade we're with the expedition, viz: the
56lh and the 59lh, being under the CON-
mand Of Colonel BOughtOu, Of The 59ih,
and bsins ], $50 strong. This brigade was
put in the rear to guard the train; the
65th distributed through the train, four
men to each wagon, and ths 69th in the
rear Of the whole train. When they came
within about six miles Of the battle field
they heard the firing, and pressed fOr-
ward as fast as possible. And, when
within four miles, an order came for them
tt 60 in on ''double quick" The day was
intensely warm, and when they arrived
I many of the men were nearly exhausted.
Colonel MCMILLAN, in command of the
division Of infantry, rode up to Colonel
Boughtou, and after briefly stating their
condition said: "Unless the colored brig
sde can hold the enemy in check until the
infGntry osn Tetreat and form new line,
they must be lost" The noble reply was,
"We will do 1t, or die in the attempt r.
Our troops had been taks1 info the field, sno
tskipped IA detail. First, the cavalry, and
then the white infsntry, and now the ne
gro teoops were to be led in just as the
white soldiers were retresting from the
field, As Colonel BoughtOn looked slong
the lines, he EsE one point on the left
where the enemy were breaking through
our lines in . manner speedily TO en-.
danger the whole command. He ordered
Major Lowe, Of the 65ta to get what men
he could from his regiment speedily, and
throw them into that breach. Two COM
psnies were soon taken from the train,
and rapidly moved forward 10 the point
of danger. And though, the main struggle
Of the rebel attack was st that time direct
ed to this point, Ihsy checked the rebel
advance, and held their position until some
other companies OF the same regiment
could be formed and brought to their sup
port. But their loss was terrible, both in
men and officers. Lieutenant Price was
killed. Seven more companies came to
their support, and dressed as though on
parade, and went into battle with 9 cool
ness that would do honor to veteran sol.
diers. Msjor Lowe was early wounded
severely in the left hand and fore arm.
The 59th formed on the right of the
whole line Of bSttle-one company being
ordered forward IS skirmishers. But IS
it was perceived that the enemy was flank
ing us. the regiment was ordered to fall
back, and it formed q new line Of battle in
q deep ditch where they fought for some
time with great vslor and good execution.
But as they were being again fanked, they
we're ordered to retreat, and they formed
on the right Of the 9th Minnesota, when
they again fought with determined bray.
cry until all the white troops hsd left
Being again fsnked, Lieut.. Col. CoWden,
in command OF the 59th, gave the order to
retire, which Was done, firing as they fell
back, AMI formed again on skirt Of brush
on hill where they stood soout one quar-
ter Of an hour, when the enemy's smells
came so fast that they entered to a cotton
gin about 200 yards distant, where again
they fought three quarters Of an hour AS
they we're again beng fanked, they were
compelled to retreat, which was done by
the right Of companies about a quarter Of
mile on an open field, the rear all the
time keeping up steady FIRE. Here they
found large portion Of the 9th Minnesota
in the bru b, formed in line Of battle.
1t was now dark and all the troops ex.
oept the last named and the coIOreI brig
ade were perfectly panic stricken and en-
route for Ripley, Is miles distant, and to
which point these troops now took up their
line Of march, and where they arrived
about daybreak If June llth. About sun
rise the enemy advanced on the town, shd
threatened our right, Intending to cut us
of from the Salem road. Again the lor-
ed troops were the only ones that could be
brought into line-ths 69th being on the
right, and the 55lh on the left-holding
these streets. At this time the men had
not TO exceed ten rounds Of ammunition,
and the enemy were oroWding closer and
still closer, when the 59Ih were ordered to
charge on them, which they did in good
style, while singing;
Gwen rally round the flag, boys, &e.'
This charge drove the enemy back so
that both regiments retrested to q pine
grove, about 2G0 yards distant.
By tlis time all the white troops, except
one squadron Of cavalry, that formed In
the rear, were en- the road to Salem, and
when this brigsde came up, they too wheel
ed and Left; and in less than ten minutes
this now little band Of colorsd troops found
themselves fsnked. They then divided
| themselves into three squads, and charged
| g e enemy's lines. One squad taking the
old Corinth road, then q by-road to the
left. After few miles they came to q
road leading to Grand junction. After