The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-12-07
THE MILLIKEN'S BEND SCRAP.
A GoxnraAe Who Was Suddenly Converted
TO the Belief That Negroes Would
Fight.

A GonraAe Who Was Suddenly Converted
to the Belief That Negroes Would
Fight.
Editor National Tribune: Notwith-
standing the fact that several of the
communications sent by me have gone
where the woodbine twineth,' or been
consigned TO the waste-basket, I am
tempted to try once more. In your is
sue of Nov. 16. 1.-The Opening of the
Mississippi details scenes that were
very familiar to me at the time of their
occurrence. My regiment, the 10th Ill.
Cav, was represented at that place
(Milliken's Bend) by the 1st battalion
Cos. A, ID, G and k-having about $50
men present fit for duty. Only a few
had carbines up to that time, but all
had revolver and saber (the latter we
never had use for). A detachment of
100, including the writer, left MILL
ken's Bend June 5. '63, to scout around
the vicinity for news of the enemy. On
the morning of the 9Th we came out
in clearing, which had been a large
plantation, but not cultivated for a year
or two. We soon saw body of about
80 horsemen. and proposed to be social
with them; but they declined, retiring
toward Richmond, La. After following
them mile or two, they passed through
e gap in hedge. We soon discovered
there was a lot more of them on the
other side of the hedge, and we halted
Ia take observations, which soon showed
us that we werS in for some kind of a
show, and our officers thought the best
kind for us would be our heels, as we
were largely outnumbered, and had
bitten off more than we could chew
So we concluded we had a pressing en-
gagement to get back to the Bend as
soon as possible. We stood not on the
order of our going" but went, followed
hotly by the enemy, and for some dis
tance had CALLING fire from right. left
and rear. We tried to get in little of
the shooting, and they gathered a few
wounded from the field q never learned
just how many. Our loss was one
Some of our horses were killed or
wounded and a number stumbled in the
race, throwing the riders, who were
then captured. Lieut.. Thomas Vreden-
burg, of Co. d, was the only officer
taken. He was kept a prisoner some
months, but the other men were pa
rolled. and came to camp in a few days.
About two miles from where we began
to fall back we came to bridge
over bayou, and little way beyond
we came in sight of line of men in
bright new blue uniforms, who soon
opened fire on "our friends the enemy"
They supposing it a large force for our
advances on us. When we had time to
look we'll at our men in blue, we dis
covered they had black faces. I had
been raised an Abolitionist, yet was op-
posed to the plan of arming negroes
before that day, but I can tell you of.
one who became sudden convert right
then and there, perfectly willing that
negroes should have as good a right to
be shot as myself. Next morning, June
Z, before it was fairly light, the enemy
attacked the Bend, and we had an in
PRODUCTION to some of the realities of
war. Our camp was just below where
the hastily-constructed breastworks
were. about where the town had been.
When the attack was made we were in
line of battle waiting orders to take
part in the game, but when the gun
boat began to pitch shells to the enemy
they lost interest in that direction, and
seemed very anxious to get out of range
OF the dreaded gunboats heavy guns.
The cavalry was then sent do Nn toward
Young's Point. to help look after mat
tiers that were supposed to need us. We
did not find any fighting or chasing
down that way, and returned to our
camp before dark. understood at the
time that Gen. Lieb had only about 400
negroes Every raw recruits) and 100 of
the 23d Iowa. and that only three or
four of the negroes escaped unwound-
ed. 1t was said that the rebels came
to the charge, yelling, mo quarter to
the - niggers or their white officers"
All knew what that meant, and the
blacks fought desperately. Our boys
captured the day before said when the
rebels started for the Bend they said:
I'VE are going to kill all them - mig
gers" They asked our boys IL they
thought the niggers would fight. Some
said yes; others, go and try them"
When our boys saw the rebels come
6<,a L.
the niggers fight?" The reply was more
forcible than elegant-'- your mig
gers; they fought like -"
1t has ever been a satisfaction to me
that ! saw the first trial of negro SOL
diers. and can join in the general YER
dict, 1.-The colored troops fought nobly."
One incident was told me soon after
that fight, which illustrates the spirit
moving them. black Sergeant on the
line Of defense saw his former master
a rebel Ma5or-coming right in his
front. He had been down in a little
trench, hastily dug near the top Of the
Ievee; but when he saw his "old Massa"
he sprang to the top OF the embank-
ment, and shouted, "Hi Massa." and
as soon as he was recognized shot the
Major; then. clubbing his gun, sprang
to the enemy's line and fell fighting
madly, selling his life for the best price
he could get
More than AZ years have passed since
those fearful scenes were enacted. vet
they are as fresh in memory as IL only
occurring last week. With all its hor-
rors, l am glad had some small part
In making the history Of those "times
that tried mems souls"
1 have letter from Gen. Basil Duke
c. s. A., saying he was we'll acquainted
with my uncle. who was a brave and
gallant officer under his command. So
our family was represented on both
sides.-F. w. Sedgwick, Co. A, 10th III.
Cav, Parma. Mich
Vigflant Scouting Squad.