The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-04
CONFEDERATE NEGRO SOLDIERS.
Hospital Attendants Organized into a Bat
TALON in Richmond.

Editor of The Times, Richmond. Va:
Dear Sir,-NIy object in writing you is
to ascertain If you think you could pro-
cure a copy Of Richmond paper that
was published a few weeks prior TO the
surrender of the city to the Federals.
don't know the date Of the paper ! want,
but there was an article published that
am anxious to get. Just before the sur
render Of the city the soldiers that were
in Winder and Jackson hospitals who
were not able for field duty were organ
ized-forming a company from each hos
pital, and there was also negro com
pany attendants in the hospitals) or
gained In each hospital. the four com
panies forming a battalion, for the pur-
pose OF protecting the city against the
Federal cavalry. General Lees army at
that time was at Petersburg, I think.
Our battalion had been called out sew
eral times when the Federal scouts were
near the city We were al Seven Fines the
day before the surrender Of Richmond.
and we were called in that night when
General Ewell commanded us If we were
able to march to do 50; that the Federals
would occupy the city the next morning.
After carrying out perhaps many tons
Of public documents, papers etc, from the
State House and burning the same, and
destroying Government supplies, we re-
turned TO our respective hospitals until
the next morning, when the armory,
arsenal and magazine were blown up.
During this time a number of us left
there, going up the rive. crossing, I be-
lieve, at Mannlkin Ferry, about seven
teen miles from Richmond, making for
Lees army.
was in a number Of battles in Vir-
ginia, but never heard such a racket as
the one made when those magazines were
blown up, the morning of the surrender.
I well remember the hosptable ladies
Of Richmond, how they wept and waved
their handkerchiefs the evening before the
surrender Of the city God bless the ladies
OF Virginia. They We're hospitable and
kind 20 the Confederate soldiers and the
cause If IT were lost.
Wen. l am writing too much without
explaining the object Of this letter. What
/ want is the article that eulOgized our
battalion, especially the two negro com
pauies that drilled so nicely on one oc-
CaSiOn when we were on dress parade in
front OF the State House, a few weeks
before the surrender Of the city. Don't
l.now the date Of this number Of the
paper or papers. ] think there were one
or more columns given in the Iapers to
this parade. l think, the Enquirer. Dis
patch and Wing all made mention Of this
l never heard Of any negroes taking arms
IN defense Of the Confederate cause only
these.
l was captain Of the white company
from Winder Hospital, and DR.. Cham
bliss. ! believe, was commander Of tie
battalion.
30 you believe you could procure num-
Der containing this article? Reprint would
do.
l would pay a reasonable price for this
article. If you have il not on file perhaps
some of the old citizens have it,
Enclosed please find stamp and answer
If worthy your notice.
Yours, very truly.
4. r. TOMLINSON,
Formerly Of Company II, Fourth North
Carolina regiment, c. S A.
Benton, Saline county, Ark, Nov. q, 80.
(Can any OF our readers answer the
above inQuiTyO