New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-02
THE uANDRRRRs or Our SOL.
DIEK9

Ever since the bad news from Florida, the
Copperhead press has been sblaze with detrac-
ton of the colored soldiers engaged in tho battle
of Oustec as having caused that defeat BY their
cowarlice. Now hear what our correspondent,
who was on the ground, and states what he
saw, testiies on this subject: We reprint from
his report in our last every word that bears on
the conduct OF the coored soldiers:
At first:
1.-THE eth New-Hamp,hira lwhite gad so
deadly fire poured into their ranks that they broke
and fell back IN confusion Dissatisfaction and want Of
confidence Nd been created IN the regiment By dopriy
ing II Of the Spencer Repeating Rifle and the ISSUE
instead. Of the Springfield musket in bad oondltion
some lacking locks others rUsted. or wanting screws
proper springs otherwise useless. Unable 10 protect
themselves with these curious weapons Wig Of the
regiment gave way and could not be rallied. The other
wing, which had retained the Spencer arm, remained
until they had expended their ammunition and their
officers could supply no more. They then withdrew 10
the rear. and the 9Th (coored) U. W. commanded by
Col Frbey. pushed forward 10 stand the brunt Of
the enemys fire. In tDeaty mnufes $50 mes Including
he Colonel (kiled), uers stricken dorn BY me Of
eyHa5 They were withdrawn and the left did not again
offer Any yigorOu, resistance to the enemy.
At last:
AS the Rebels were preparing 10 charge with 70.
endorsements just come In BY railroad the reserves
double-quick
"lhe 5ith Massachusetts rcoored wen. IN first, with
cheer They were followed by the lat North Carolina
(coored). Lieut.. Col. Reed in command headed the
regiment sword in hand and charged upon the Rebels
1hey broke. but rallied when within twenty Yards Of
cohtsct WIN our negro troops Oyerpowered by nun.
Defs the lt North Carolina fell back In good order
ana poured III destructive fire. Their Colonel fell
,noItaiy wounded Their Major. Boyle, fell dead, and
ivy mon were killed In trying to reach his body. Their
AuJhtsnt WIN. q. Manning, wounded before at Nal.
verh nus got bullet in his body but persisted In re.
inaihlng pntI yet another shot sruck him. His Lieu.
iehantcolonei, Learning the fact, embraced him. and
ilnpored MN 10 leave the field The next moment the
TWO friends were stretched side by sde-the Colonel
had received his own death wound Bf The fso coorsd
feSb'eH'' had 'food IN The gap. and savsd the army
Here Is another account:
AT the commencement OF tho fight tho CHI U. g.
Ioofea Troops were supporting Hamilton's Battery,
some strange order they filed 10 the right In rear of The
ptesy ior the purpose Of joining their right on the
ei % the TN Connecticut. that particular time tbe
movement was decidedly an error, for by carrying it
out It left HaSiitons Battery uisnpporlad In mn at
tempt " enhlade the enemy on bis right Hamilton
moved forward four pieces but before he rot into nos
ton me Rebels on that portion Of their Inns had conccn
Ii,et an tnelr re upon him. and the 9Th u. s. who
had az an come up 10 his support In twenty minntes
tune Hamilton Loot Al men Killed and wounded and 40
horsrs. ne Sth also suffered severely.
49, mo iast regiments 10 enter tbs fold wers the lat
Son Uaroah and th Massachusetts coIore Of
the front and maintained their ground with command
"''o P''''n"J' N. Y. Times. March l.
we sun tue testimony Of a witness who can
not Do supposed 70 have any bias in (1vor Of tho
cololed troops
the i't North caroins md ths Jith Massachusetts.
on the oDlored troops did admirably Tbe lat North
C'iD' HN' f 'o''''ons oss piaad.n vaA 10 s,ssas.a