Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-03
COLORED CONFEDS.
MICRO COMPANY ORGANIZED HERE
DURING THE WAR:
A well-Rsmembsred Fact that Ihey
Parsded on the Capitol
Square.

The publication In Wednesdays Dispatch
OF the correspondence had in january, lS5o'
between Hon. Andrew Hunter and Gene
raj Robert Z. Lee. in the matter oi enlist
ing negroes as Confederate soldiers, recalled
10 the memory OF maDy OF the older resi-
dents OF Richmond the fact that one com
pany Of cslored military was organized mere
and mustered into service. aud paraded on
the Capitol Square, but was never IN any
engagement.
THE cAPTAfs.
The erroneous impression obtains that
BENJAMIN scott was captain OF this company,
but from all that can be learned from the
most authentic sources no captain was ever
assigned the company, which was In Major
Piekett's command.
A representative OF the Dispatch yester-
day converted with several persons, both
white and colored. on this subject. and their
recollections were found TO differ widely.
CAPTAIN SCOTS STATEMENT.
The information gathered being 50 indeti-
mite and IN some respects so contradictory n
visit wss paid 10 the store OF Captain Scott, at
700 west Jackson street. and the following u
his story in substance: A company OF some
twenty-five or thirty colorcd volunteers was
formed and their barracks were at LIBBY
Prison. They drilled In factory near 0y
uuder one OF the officers stationed at the
prison, and occasionally they drilled on ihe
Capitol Square. The company was formed
several months before the evacuation OF
Richmond and just few days before that
memorable time the men were given uni
forms.
THREE HUNDRED MEN.
About ten days before the evacuation,
continued CAPTAIN Scott, an order was issued
from Camp Winder to the effect that all col
ofed men in the city who did not volunteer
by the Monday week following should be en-
rolled and forced into the Confederate service.
On the Monday following about 800 colored
men who were at and about the camp were
marched down to the Square. Here they
met the uniformed men, and there was
drill OF the entire body. Upon re-
turning to camp and before breaking
ranks This order was read and five men
stepped forward as volunteers. The drafting
or cnilsting Of recuits was TO begin one week
from that day, and during that period large
number. among them Captain scott, made M
their minds to volunteer. On sunday night.
April ID, the uniformed company left Rich
mond with the retreating forces ria the
Danville railroad, and according to Captain
S,ot's story those of them who did not
escape were captured between Danyllle and
Appomatiox.
ADJUTANT LATOUCHE.
Mr.. John Latoucbe, who was adlutant al
Libby Prison. says be has no recollection OF
the fact that any colored company was ever
formed here. He says the matter had been
4, nfIirgTe
there was division of sentiment as to the
practicabiity OF the scheme. and the slave
owners were exceedingly 10th TO surrender
their property.
Adiutant.General Mcdonald remembers
distinctly that he once saw a ooored com
pany drilling or paradiug on the Capitol
square, but he was Of the opinion chat no
cOlored soldiers ever actually went into the
Confederate service except IN building and
guarding breast-wOrks and similar duties.
lie recalls the fact, however, that there was
a recruiting station here at one time. but
is Of the opinion that is efforts were never
productive OF any degree OF success.
CoEEOBoRATTvE.
CAPTAIN Scott, whose statement isrecOrded
above. was at the time one Of the most highly
esteemed OF colored men, especially in mill
tary circles. Had the war not terminated so
speedily he would perhaps have held The
highest military position OF any coloted Con-
fcderate. lie was never a member oi the
organized company, but says that be went
down TO see "the boys" every day and spent
much time with them.
His recolectiOns are borne out in the main
bv the statements OF several other persons
with whom the reporter converscd, except
that several OF the others are OF the opinion
that this company had only gotten a short
distance from Richmond when they had to
turn back.