had been expressed by Banks, the nominal
commander, and his officers regarding the fitness of colored
men as soldiers. The perplexing question was, 'Will they
stand their christening under such a hail storm as will come
from those bristling Port Hudson heights?' In fact those
three colored regiments--the 1st, 2d, and 3d Louisiana
Native Guards, organized in 1862, and afterward incorporated
in the Ullman Brigade as the 73d, 74th, and 75th--had become
more a subject of test than of real dependence at the
critical juncture of trial.

"General Osterhaus solved the mystery by taking command of a
division, including the 1st and 3d Native Guards. Those
magnificent series of charges were made by these two
regiments. The first charge was made on a Sunday, the 27th
day of May, 1863, supported on the right by the celebrated
Duryea's Zouaves, of New York, which were mowed down like
grass before a scythe. It was then and there that Captain
Cailloux gloriously died in advance of his company while
cheering his men. It was also on that day that the immortal
color-bearer, Anselino, was killed, and fell within the
folds of his regimental flag, which was besmeared with his
blood, with the broken flag-staff in his hand. Other strong
arms came to the rescue of the flag only to meet death until
the honor of the flag alone cost the lives of sixteen men or
more. The gallant Lieutenant Crowder was killed on the field
of honor at the flower of his age. Captain Sauer was wounded
in the foot while charging. The 3d Native Guards also
sustained its reputation, and many deeds of valor were
performed by its officers and men. But when after those
engagements the roll-call was made we had many friends to
mourn. You are aware, I suppose, of an historical fact.
Jefferson Davis had issued a proclamation that any colored
officer captured at the head of black troops would not be
exchanged, but immediately hung. It was thus that Lieutenant
Oscar Orillion, when captured at Jackson, La., was hung and
shot to pieces.

"Port Hudson was surrendered by General Pemberton the 8th of
July, 1863. General Osterhaus became very proud of his
colored regiments after what he had seen at Port Hudson.

"Had these two regiments failed, or destiny betrayed their
courage, the