w into a position where his patriotic zeal can
concentrate the valor of these untutored free men in defense of
our imperilled country. So long as these brave colored men are
officered by gallant, high-hearted, slave-hating men, we can
never despair of the Republic."[110]

Mr. D. Aden in a letter to Col. Darling, dated Norfolk, Va., Feb. 22,
1864, said:

"During the expedition last October to Charles City Court House,
on the Peninsula, the colored troops marched steadily through
storm and mud; and on coming up with the enemy, behaved as
bravely under fire as veterans. An officer of the 1st N. Y.
Mounted Rifles--a most bitter opponent and reviler of colored
troops--who was engaged in this affair, volunteered the statement
that they had fought bravely, and, in his own language, more
expressive than elegant, were 'bully boys'--which coming from
such a source, might be regarded as the highest praise.

"During the recent advance toward Richmond to liberate the Union
prisoners, the 4th, 5th, and 9th regiments formed part of the
expedition and behaved splendidly. They marched thirty miles in
ten hours, and an unusually small number straggled on the route."

Col. John A. Foster of the 175th New York, in January, 1864, wrote to
Col. Darling as follows:

"While before Port Hudson, during the siege of that place, I was
acting on Col. Gooding's staff, prior to the arrival of my
regiment at that place. On the assault of May 27, 1863, Col.
Gooding was ordered to proceed to the extreme right of our lines
and oversee the charge of the two regiments constituting the
negro-brigade, and I accompanied him.

"We witnessed them in line of battle, under a very heavy fire of
musketry, and siege and field pieces. There was a deep gully or
bayou before them, which they could not cross nor ford in the
presence of the enemy, and hence an assault was wholly
impracticable. Yet they made five several attempts to swim and
cross it, preparatory to an assault on the enemy's works; and in
this, too, in fair view of the enemy, and at short musket range.
Added to this, the nature of the enemy's works was such that it
allowed an enfilading fire. Success was impossible; yet they
behaved as cool as if veterans, and when ordered to retire,
marched off as if on parade. I feel satisfied th