colored troops would have been universally
condemned, and would not have been employed as soldiers, but
used as servants, drivers, and laborers, on fortifications,
bridges, and ditches. To the 2d Louisiana Native Guards
belongs the honor of having had the first colored major in
the army, and it is Major Ernest Dumas, now living and
actually in New Orleans.

"The most terrible engagement (1st and 2d) was at Spanish
Fort in Mobile Bay, Ala., shortly after Fort Pillow's
massacre. General Osterhaus told the colored troops the
night previous to the attack that at break of day they had
to charge and take Spanish Fort. It was customary with the
general to tell the troops by what regiments they would be
sustained. The men did not seem to be very enthusiastic, but
when they were told how the rebels had murdered men of their
own color and their white fellow-soldiers without mercy,
they sprang to their guns and called unanimously for
'revenge.' Great God! they had their revenge, sure enough!
The charge was made, the fort taken, and nearly every rebel
slaughtered amid the deafening yells of the colored and
white troops of 'Remember Fort Pillow.' The 1st and the 3d
regiments cleared Alabama up to Selina.

"As it is impossible for me to devote my time any longer,
and to turn over the leaves of the past in my clouded
memory, which is quite impaired lately on account of my
declining years, besides the metacarpal bone of my right
hand, which was broken by a musket in the army, is always
painful when I write too much, I will refer you to Sergeant
Calice Dupie, of Company H, 1st Louisiana Native Guards,
Captain Sauer, who is employed in the custom house. I am
told that Captain R. H. Isabell, of the 2d Louisiana Native
Guards, has taken a memorandum of all the historical
incidents of those three regiments. They are all
Louisianians, and reside in New Orleans. As for the officers
of my regiment (the 3d Native Guards) they are all dead
nearly, which makes me think that my time soon will be on
hand.

"Though my information is limited, I have strictly confined
myself to facts which I am sure will be corroborated by
others, I court investigation upon my statements, and will
always be glad to furnish witnesses to sustain them.