the 1st
Louisiana made the gallant charge at Port Hudson, by far the
stronger part of the rebel works. The wonder is that so many have
made their escape. At Milliken's Bend where I had three
incomplete regiments,--one without arms until the day previous to
the attack,--greatly superior numbers of the rebels charged
furiously up to the very breastworks. The negroes met the enemy
on the ramparts, and both sides freely used the bayonet--a most
rare occurrence in warfare, as one of the other party gives way
before coming in contact with the steel. The rebels were defeated
With heavy loss. The bridge at Moscow, on the line of railroad
from Memphis to Corinth, was defended by one small regiment of
blacks. A cavalry attack of three times their number was made,
the blacks defeating them in three charges made by the Rebels.

"They fought them hours till our cavalry came up, when the defeat
was made complete, many of the dead being left on the field.

"A cavalry force of three hundred and fifty attacked three
hundred rebel cavalry near the Big Black with signal success, a
number of prisoners being taken and marched to Vicksburg. Forrest
attacked Paducah with 7,500 men. The garrison was between 500 and
600, nearly 400 being colored troops recently raised. What troops
could have done better? So, too, they fought well at Fort Pillow
till overpowered by greatly superior numbers.

"The above enumerated cases seem to me sufficient to demonstrate
the value of the colored troops.

"I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

"Your obedient servant,
"L. THOMAS, _Adj.-General_.

In regard to the conduct of the Colored Troops at Petersburg, a
correspondent to the "Boston Journal" gave the following account from
the lips of Gen. Smith:

"A few days ago I sat in the tent of Gen. W. F. Smith, commander
of the 18th Corps, and heard his narration of the manner in
which Gen. Hinks' division of colored troops stood the fire and
charged upon the Rebel works east of Petersburg on the 16th of
June. There were thirteen guns pouring a constant fire of shot
and shell upon those troops, enfilading the line, cutting it
lengthwise and crosswise, 'Yet they stood unmoved for _six
hours_. Not a man flinched. [These