Page:The rising son, or, The antecedents and advancement of the colored race (IA risingsonthe00browrich).pdf/366

 ignorant of the slave population belonged in that section.

The first intimation that the commanding officer at Milliken's Bend received was from one of the black men, who went into the colonel's tent, and said, 'Massa, the secesh are in camp." The colonel ordered him to have the men load their guns at once. He instantly replied,—

"We have done did dat now, massa." Before the colonel was ready, the men were in line, ready for action.

"The enemy charged us so close that we fought with our bayonets, hand to hand. I have six broken bayonets to show how bravely my men fought," said the colonel. "I can truly say," continued he, "that I never saw a braver company of men in my life.

"Not one of them offered to leave his place until ordered to fall back. I went down to the hospital, three miles, to-day, to see the wounded. Nine of them were there, two having died of their wounds. A boy who had cooked for me came and begged a gun when the rebels were advancing, and took his place with the company; and when we retook the breastworks, I found him badly wounded, with one gun-shot and two bayonet wounds. A new recruit I had issued a gun to the day before the fight was found dead, with a firm grasp on his gun, the bayonet of which was broken in three pieces. So they fought and died, defending the cause that we revere. They met death coolly, bravely; not rashly did they expose themselves, but all were steady and obedient to orders."

This battle satisfied the slave-masters of the South