165th New York Infantry Regiment's Civil War Newspaper Clippings
Second Duryee’s Zouaves.
LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED BEFORE PORT
HUDSON.
The following list was sent to our correspondent in New Orleans.
HEADQUARTERS, 165TH N.Y.V.
(SECOND DURYEE’S ZOUAVES), IN THE FIELD BEFORE PORT HUDSON, JUNE 19, 1863
I avail myself of the first opportunity to forward the revised and corrected list of our killed, wounded and missing in the fight before Port Hudson, May 27, 1863.
Killed
Lieutenant Charles R. Carville Co. D
Corporal Daniel Dickenson Co. C colors
Corporal John Champaign Co. C colors
Corporal Nels Rosensteiner Co. D colors bearer
Corporal Theo d'Eschambaut Co. D colors
Corporal Frank Graham Co. E colors
Private Adolph Seiphert Co. A
Private Frank McQuirk Co. C
Private George Gatz Co. C
Private Patrick Cummings Co. D
Private William F. Crooks Co. D
Private William E. Phillips Co. D
Private Thomas Manegan Co. E
Wounded
Lieutenant Colonel Abel Smith Jr. breast, severly, since dead
Major Gove Carr left leg, flesh wound
Captain H. C. Inwood Co. E right knee, flesh wound
Captain Gould H. Thorp Co. F breast, slightly
Lieutenant W. H. Vance Co. C contusion of left breast by shell, slightly
Lieutenant N. S. Putnam Volunteer Aid left shoulder and upper third of left forearm
Sergeant W. T. Sinclair Co. A
Sergeant J. W. Dickens Co. A
Private G. F. Prichard Co. A
Private John Vanderbuilt Co. A
Private W. J. Wheat Co. A
Private Charles Carll Co. A
Sergeant Matthias Johnston Co. B
Corporal Maurice Cahill Co. B since died May 30
Private William Oxworth Co. B
Private William Rooney Co. B
Private William Ewin Co. B
Private Charles Colson Co. B
Private Theo. L. Mitchell Co. B
Private William Hughes Co. B
Sergeant S. B. Brennan Co. C
Corporal Christopher Moor Co. C
Corporal _______ Norman Co. C
Private R. Hobby Co. C
Private D.E. Hammond Co. C
Private N. H. Rosvelt Co. C
Private Michael Dowd Co. C
Private Frank Kokendoffer Co. C
Private L. Terry Co. C
Private Edward Nolen Co. C
Private Peter Gaffga Co. C
Private Jacob Sehi Co. C
Private Jacob Wetzeil Co. C
Private James J. Retlen Co. C
Private John Yack Co. C
Private Ezra Clarke Co. C
Sergeant Frank Nichols Co. D
Corporal C. F. Schible Co. D
Private J. E. Yungren Co. D since died
Private George Wilcox Co. D
Private Jacob Weitner Co. D
Private Charles Schultz Co. D
Private James Reily Co. D
Private R. C. Kemp Co. D
Private John Hering Co. D
Private M. Wingler Co. D
Private Frederick Rader Co. D
Private William Rait Co. D
Corporal William Hallenbeck Co. E
Corporal Alexander Fosdick Co. E
Corporal N. H. Brown Co. E
Private R. D. Gallot Co. E
Private Joseph Fishorn Co. E
Private Charles Byrnes Co. E
Private S. B. Franklander Co. E
Private C. A. Saiborg Co. E
Private P. E. Quinn Co. E
Private Henry Dubois
[Dubols?] Co. E since died (June 10, 1863)
Corporal John Owen Co. F
Private Alexander Meritt Co. F
Private ______ Lohman Co. F
Private William Stearnes Co. F
Private S.G. Lyon Co. F
Private John Murray Co. F
Private Joseph Hughes Co. F
Private Dennis Shea Co. F
Private Charles Hock Co. F
Wounded/Missing/Captured
Sergeant J. R. P. Edwards Co. B
Corporal James Wiley Co. B
Private Henry Hamilton Co. B
Private A, Hoffman Co. B
Private W. Schramm Co. D
Private C. G. Collins Co. D
Private H. McCool Co. D
Private A. Johnson Co. D
Private Jno. Monohan Co. E
Private J. A. D. Plotts Co. E
Sergeant Elbert O. Steaves Co. B reported a prisoner
Those under head of “wounded and missing” were furnished by flag of truce, and are reported by the medical director of enemy’s forces to the medical director of the Department of the Gulf.
I have no news of importance to communicate at present. I am, very respectfully, C. A. PALMIERI, Sergeant Major One Hundred and Sixty-fifth regiment New York Volunteers (Second Zouaves).
--- END OF DOCUMENT ---
OUR WAR CORRESPONDENCE.
Headquarters 2nd Duryeas Zouaves, 165th REG’T
Port Hudson, LA July 9th 1863
Editor of Journal. – The 2nd Zouaves have made their name only second to that of their namesakes (lately) in Virginia, hence according to promise I will try to record unworthily it may be, their deeds of valor since my last. Our much beloved Col. Smith is among those who have gone to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler ere returns.
One Lieutenant – Charles R. Carrillo of Company D. also fell to rise no more upon Port Hudson bloody field where reposes the earthly remains of the State Color Bearer, 4 Color Corporals, 1 Corporal and 10 privates, and 1 Drummer, two other Color Corporals were wounded of which one has since dead. The Major, 2 Captains, 1 Lieutenant and 83 non commissioned officers and privates have received wounds of greater or less severity and 13 were taken by the Rebels of whom 9 were wounded. – 3 of these escaped by digging under the Guard house and disguising themselves as Rebs, the rest were liberated by the surrender of the place. By a special interposition of Providence the Flag of our Union never fell during the bloody charge of May 27th its bearer and one Corporal alone of the Color Guard escaping unhurt.
One week after our return from the successful expedition against Pontchatoula where we suffered the small loss of three slightly wounded among whom was Henry E. Tucker, nephew of Howard Pearsall of Jamaica; the Reg’t was ordered from Camp Parapet to the Lever Steam Cotton Press in New Orleans, where we laid in comparative inactivity doing garison duty and escorting exchanged prisoners up the river to the Rebel lines, now ours in front of this place.
While in New Orleans our dress Parades and Street Drills excited much attention, the I Levee being crowded every evening to witness them when the boys would “do” the manual. Bayonet Exercise and Skirmish drill in a manner that would reflect credit both upon themselves and their officers.
A day or two before leaving the Parapet, the sons of Queens County and Co. B in particular and the whole reg’t in general were called upon to mourn the loss of one of natures nobleman Sergeant George E. Cogswell, whose earthly remains now repose in Grace Church Yard Jamaica. The fact of his sickness, its cause, his death and the resolutions tendered the family by his officers and brothers in arms has already appeared in your paper I am safe saying no non commissioned officer in this Department ever had a larger or more grief stricken cortege, than that which followed our friend remains to the Steamer.
On the 19th of May we received marching orders in three hours we were on board the steamer Iberville and under weigh; at the foot of Canal Street we took on board the famous 1st Battery Vt. Vol. Artillery, alias, “The Greys Horse Battery”, commanded by the gallant Capt. George F. Hebard, who has made his name famous during the bombardment of this place by his untiring industry and indefatigable exertions night and day he was at his post for weeks. On the 20th we landed at Baton Rouge and bivouacked outside of the town for the night, at 7 a.m. of the 21st we were on the road for this place: the column being composed of our Regiment and the 1st Vt. And 4th Mass. Batteries under the command of our Lieut. Colonel acting as Brig. General. At noon we halted on the camping ground left that morning by our advanced commanded by Gen. Dudley, waited three hours for orders, when an escort of, one company of Grierson’s famous cavalry bringing us dispatches we again fell in and marched to what was then the extreme front, found that Gen. Dudley had a sharp fight that day with the Rebels in the open field, resulting in driving the enemy into their intrenchments. A small force from another point had succeeded in gaining his rear, whom we encountered, but the Grey Horse speaking to them twice they skedaddeled supposing large reinforcements to be coming up.
We laid here two nights and one day and then doubled on our track, joining our own (Sherman’s) Division which had come up by another route. On the morning of the 24th [May] the column advanced to within half a mile of the Rebels first parallel, on the enemys extreme right. General Banks having come up the opposite side of the River and crossed above the works extended his Divisions under Grover, Witzell and Augur from the enemys extreme left to the right of our Division, thus completely surrounding the fated place, on the land front and the Gunboats above and below the town taking care of the River side.
On the 27th of May the finest assault was made, resulting in our gaining a position much nearer the works, when our Brigade received the order to charge, which was to be done with the Regiments in double column on half distance with the Zouaves in the advance and two nine months Regiments supporting us. Ours was the only Regiment that obeyed the command, and in the Brigade on our left the same trouble existed the 6th Mich. advancing alone, after making their way thro’ a thick and difficult abatis the Col. Reformed the battallion in a ravine and once more started this time on the double quick and if he had not been wounded it is the general impression that our colors would have floated on the parrapet, but it was otherwise ordered for while at the head of his men cheering them on he fell shot through the lungs, he lived about three weeks, dying in the Hospital Hotel Dieu at New Orleans. Sg’t Alex S. Fosdick Right General Guide, the only one of Queens County sons wounded during this siege in our Reg’t, was particularly noticed for bravery, he acted as if the whole responsibility of the Batalion was upon him, always at the side of the Colonel, Guidon in hand, cheering on his command, he fell next after the Colonel shot thro’ the right leg. The Major and the other officers and men being wounded, and we being unsupported, the Senior Captain [Agnus] took command and ordered the Reg’t to retreat which was done in good order. –
Another general assault was made on the 14th of June, when our Reg’t being deployed as skirmishers, and each man able to help himself under cover we only lost 10 wounded.
The 6th Mich. and 2nd Zouaves have done an immense amount of Picket duty, and in every assault or feint have led the advance of their respective Brigades; night after night they have laid in the Rifle Pits and day after day have been sent out as Sharpshooters.
For eight weeks we have not had a change of clothing, but have had to take off our under clothes and wash them and wait for them to dry. We left our knapsacks at Baton Rouge, carrying only our Rubber Blankets and overcoats, supposing Port Hudson would fall in a week. Our orders being to move in light marching order our tents are and have been in New Orleans.
Day before yesterday at noon a National Salute was fired from the Gunboats and Land Batteries in honor of the fall of Vicksburg, which proved to be the death knell of this place for at 12 o’clock noon yesterday July 8th, General Gardner commanding the Rebel forces surrendered to General Banks, (there being no object in his holding out longer) and the Mississippi River was open for trade.
The terms of the surrender have not yet transpired, but it is said to be unconditional. Our gain in prisoners is two Brig. Generals 5,000 men and their Regimental officers.
The nine months men in this Department have been of but little service here or else where, and I am free to say that if they are not better disciplined in other Departments the nine months men are a fraud upon the Government. -- It is a by-word here. “Are you a nine months man or a Soldier?”
Of our future I can say nothing, the boys need a good rest and I hope we will get it, we have but 200 “for duty”.
EVER YOURS,
ZOUZAVER
--- END OF DOCUMENT ---
Army Correspondence.
The following letter was written by a young soldier now in the army of the South-West, to his relatives in this village. We think it is worthy of perusal and will be found interesting;
165th REG’T., N. Y. Vols., (2nd Zouaves),
19th Army Corps, IN PORT HUDSON,
July 10th, 1863
DEAR SISTER: Three cheers for Banks, Grant / Vickburgh, Port Hudson, Stars and Stripes, and everybody else.Tueusday the 7th. [July] we received the glorious tidings of the fall of Vicksburgh, and the next day down comes reb Gibralter No. 2 to our no small delight; I assure you. One regiment was immediately chosen from each brigade to march in and take possession; our regiment was of course chosen from our brigade. We marched about five miles to Gen. Grover’s Head Quarters (commander of our centre) and the next morning (yesterday) our column entered the place.
The rebs were drawn up in a line exhibiting the most grotesque variety of uniforms ever seen. -- Here would be one with gold enough on his person to set up B. B. Wood, Jewler, Jamaica, L. I. [Long Island], while right beside him would appear two large salt sacks with one of the chivalry in them. I need scarcely add that the latter uniforms were in the majority. The scenery around was really picturesque – dead horses and cattle, dismounted cannon and gun carriages strewed around, while the shattered trees and caved in buildings gave evidence of the efficacy of our artillery. The rebs laid down their arms about 10 A. M., a guard was posted around them, and our flag was hoisted on a large pole on one of the water batteries. -- A ---- marched along at the head of his company as large as life, a segar [cigar] in his mouth and swellfully patriotic feelings in his bosom. Our regiment stacked arms in the shade, and the boys scattered around to explore the place and talk with the rebs. They are a stout, hardy looking set of men, and as rabid secession as can be; they maintain that Uncle Abe [Abraham Lincoln] can’t whip Jeff [Jefferson Davis] if we fight for 20 years. They have had hard times the past four or five days, living on mule meat and corn meal. One of them, a large fine looking fellow, rushed up to me and uttered an expression of surprise. I asked if he knew me. “Why,” says he, “on the 14th of June I fired at you twenty times and was certain I killed you.” I soon showed him that he was mistaken, and we immediately became very good friends – considering.
I also made myself acquainted with a reb. Captain who was very intelligent and communicative. He says our present location is much healthier than at New Orleans; there was scarcely any sickness among their men; but they had fared hard for clothing and provisions, still they did not mind it. Some of their troops from Arkansas I admired very much, and in any other cause would rather have them for fighting companions than many of our nine month men.
General Banks is going to parole all the men and keep the officers; he has sent one halk his troops on different expeditions, I don’t know whether we will go to New Orleans, Texas or Arkansas, or escort the prisoners to Mississippi; at present, of course things are very unsettled.
Steves, Fleming, Napier, Burke and myself are very well, Henry is detailed on brigade guard, Alexander is getting along finely. The box hasn’t arived yet. Give my love to all the Jamaica folks except the copperheads. I am, &c. A -----
--- END OF DOCUMENT ---
The Battles of Pleasant Hill
The following letter from one of our Oswego boys, will be read with interest.
Headquarters, 165th Reg’t N. Y. V.
Pleasant Hill, La April 13, 1864
Messrs. Editors –
I suppose you would be glad to hear something from Uncle Sam’s boys in this benighted region, or otherwise, the tail end of Secessia, which we mean shall follow the hide.”
We have had a terrible days fighting here the 8th, 9th and 10th of April. The first day it was a most shameful defeat, the second day it wasn’t a great deal better, but the third day we run the rebels for good. We were in the advance of General Banks’ grand army – some 30,000 strong. -- Soon after arriving at Grand Ecore; Gen. A. J. Smith, a man beloved and admired by all our troops as a valiant and skillful General, was sent in advance with about 6,000 cavalry, and 2,000 infantry. At Pleasant Hill we met the rebels in strong force under Gen. Dick Taylor, estimated at least 12,000 strong. They charged furiously on our lines at all points. The odds were two to one, so it was impossible for any thing human to stand it. Our Regiment, the 165th, or Second Duryea’s Zouaves, lost 50 men in killed and wounded that day.
We rested on the field that night, and the next morning resumed the fight with more vigor than before. Our loss was considerable in killed, wounded and mising, but still we were able to contest the field with them, hoping for reinforcements to come to our support, and save the remnant of that gallant band; for gallant they were, standing in the field against odss of two to one, retreating inch by inch, and leaving every foot of ground covered with our dead and wounded. Peace to their ashes. They fell in a glorious cause. On the second day the fighting was more severe than the first. Our loss on the second day was 150 men out of five hundred that we went into action with. We can muster eighty men for duty. Our company went into the engagement 45 men strong; we now muster seven men for duty. The 165th, and New York need never be ashamed of them. We made four charges on the rebels – of these two charges were made by Co. D. alone; there is where our slaughter was most severe.
On the third day we found the banks of the river and our gunboats and transports waiting for us. Our loss altogether was about 3,000 killed, wounded and missing --- The rebels captured a few guns, but like the guns Beauregard captured at Shiloh, they were not spiked, but some of them taken back again.
The third days fighting was for our benefit, for the rebels got soundly whipped and lost 1,200 prisoners. Our reinforcements coming up, charged and drove them for miles, and it turned out a decided victory. We are no at Grand Ecore, on the Red River, under cover of our gunboats, of which there are a large fleet, all ironclads under command of Admiral D. D. Porter, one of the bravest and most skillful naval officers this war has produced.
We expect an advance movement every day, and then I hope to be able to send you cheering news of victory for Union and Liberty.
Yours, &c., M. D.
--- END OF DOCUMENT ---
Died.
On Friday, July 31, of wounds received in the attack on Port Hudson, Sergeant Alexander S. Fosdick, of the 165 regiment New York State Volunteers (Second Duryee Zouaves), aged 19 years, 1 month and 20 days.
Once more have we been called to mourn the death of one of the few who left this village for the battle field. On Sunday last was performed the last sad duties for our friend, Serg’t. Alexander S. Fosdick, and the crowded church as well as the feeling shown on that occasion testified how much he was respected in life and how deeply his early death is mourned. Scarcely one year ago he, with a few others from this village, responded to his country’s call and enlisted in the 165th Reg. N. Y. Vols., (Second Duryea Zouaves), and from that time forward he has nobly discharged his duties as a soldier. In the attack on Port Hudson on the 23rd of May last, he received a wound which after many days of suffering at last caused his death on Friday, July 31st, just as the noble steamer which was bearing him home had reached the port of her destination.
In private life he was esteemed by all who knew him, of an amiable disposition and good moral character; his death is that of a true patriotic soldier, and his name will be inscribed among those who fought, bled, and died for Country and Liberty.
--- END OF DOCUMENT ---
MILITARY. – Major Agues [Agnus], of the 2d. Battalion of Duryea Zouaves, reached this city yesterday. This regiment was under the command of Col. Able Smith, well known in this city, and went to New Orleans from New York with our Tenth Regiment last fall. Major Agues was then a Captain. He is one of the noble heroes who did duty at Port Hudson, where the commander of the Zouaves received a fatal wound. The officers of the Tenth Regiment took charge of Major Agues, and their old associations of friendship and good feeling was renewed for the time being. The Zouaves were in the same brigade with the Tenth from the time that the latter left until they returned, and endured many severe hardships together.
Major Springsteed, of the 7th Artillery, has reached this city on a furlough, and is being warmly received by his old friends.
--- END OF DOCUMENT ---
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIFTH NEW YORK.
Lieut. Colonel Gouverneur Carr arm
Sergeant Elbert O. Stevens Co. B arm
Private William Ming Co. B arm
Private Peter Wagner Co. B side
Private Henry B. Mackey Co. C back
Corporal Joseph Hughes Co. F hand
Private John C. Delany Co. E thigh
Private William Smith Co. F knee
Sergeant J. Lewis Burke Co. E shoulder
Corporal George A. Burtis Co. F arm
Lieutenant Andrew Napier Co. A leg
Private Pernard O'Donnell Co. B shoulder
Sergeant Hugh Graham Co. B arm
Private George W. Rumbull Co. C face
Sergeant J. L. Burke Co. E ? Repeated
Lieutenant D. F. H. Thomas Co. H
--- END OF DOCUMENT ---
THE LATE LT. COL. SMITH.
The Action of the Common Council.
A special meeting of the Common Council was held on Friday evening, July 3, at the call of the Mayor, to take action in reference to the death of Lieut. Col. Abel Smith, whose body is expected here hourly.
Present – a quorum of members, Ald. O’Keeffe in the chair.
The roll being called, Ald. S. Taylor rose and said:
MR. CHAIRMAN: -- I rise to perform a meloncholy duty which appropriately devolves upon me.
On the 21st of October, 1861, it was my duty to announce to this Board the death of Colonel Abel Smith, Sr. and ask your approval of the resolutions I then presented.
To-day I am again called upon to perform this sad office as a tribute to his gallant son, Lieut. Col. Abel Smith, Jr., who fell at the battle of Port Hudson, May 14, 1863.
Sir, I knew Col. Abel Smith, Jr., from his very boyhood; and had watched the growing evidence which he gave of one day being useful to his country.
His early career in the Public School, inmy ward is remembered with pride and pleasure by the teachers. He gave evidence while yet a mere boy of a military taste, by his manly carriage and spirited bearing, and long ere he had entered the service, it had been predicted that he would yet be a Major General in our Army.
But alas! Death knows no distiction, like his noble father, he has fallen in the discharge of his duty.
Sir, in the great day of retribution, the blood of the noble dead will rise up in judgement against the men who would have dared to raise their unholy hands in rebellion against this Government.
When a mere youth Col. Smith entered the 13th Regiment and rose through several grades. In fact sir, when but a boy he saw active services in Mexico.
When the sound of Rebellion against Constitutional Government was heard – when traitors dared challenge freemen of the North to deadly combat—he, sir, accepted the challenge, organizing – at once a company in the ‘Burgh, which unanimously elected him Captain and which Company was afterwards attached to the 3d Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteers.
His bravery on the battle field was not unobserved; ere long he was promoted to a Major. A few months after he was commissioned a Lieut. Col. In the Regiment of Zouaves then forming, and acting at the time of his death as Col.
In every situation of life he filled his part; he had thoroughly learnt the lesson of a good soldier, implicit obedience to lawful authority, and an unswerving love of truth. Herein sir, consisted his virtue, here was the secret of his success. He was ambitious but his ambition was lawful.
Ambitious to excel, he had learned that honor and preferment were attainable only by obedience.
Having learnt this lesson himself, he demanded it from those under him. He was a disciplinarian in its strictest sense, and it was this love of discipline that endeared him to his command. He was not one of those who shirked danger, but he was ever ready to participate in the trials, hardships and dangers of his command.
Sir, there may be to-day in the battle field his equal. But I know there are none who promised more, none of whom more was expected, none who will better answer expectations, than our departed HERO would have done.
But Sir I will not linger. No words of mine are adequate to describe him; nor his bravery, his patriotism.
No solace that I can offer can bind up the broken heart of orphan sisters.
I will not intrude upon their sorrow longer than to commend them to the God of the Fatherless and of the afflicted.
I therefore ask the adoption of the following preamble and resolutions.
Whereas, It has pleased the Almighty Ruler in His wisdom to cut short the career of a young heroic soldier and accomplished officer, Lt. Vol, Abel Smith, Jr., of the 165th Regiment Zouaves, who fell at the battle of Port Hudson while gallantly defending the authority of his government against armed traitors and rebels; therefore
Resolved, That this Common Council have heard with feelings of deep regret of the death of Lieut. Col. Abel Smith, Jr., and desire to bear their testimony to the high merit of this accomplished youth and brave hero, and to express their sense of the lasting gratitude which his country owes him for his patriotic services; endearing his memory to our common country, while it reflects credit upon the city of his residence.
Resolved, That we extend to the bereaved family and relatives of the deceased, our deep sympathy in their affliction.
Resolved, That the flag of the City Hall and other public buildings be lowered at half-mast on the day of the funeral, in token of our public bereavement.
Resolved, that this C.C. will attend the funeral of the deceased when notified of the same.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to make suitable arrangements to attend the funeral of the deceased, and that $100 be appropriated to defray any expenses incurred thereby, from any money not otherwise appropriated.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent by Cleark to the family of the deceased.
--- END OF DOCUMENT ---
Among those who laid down their lives before Port Hudson was John A. D. Plotts, a member of the Second battalion of the Second Regiment of Duryea’s Zouaves, which left this city early last spring. Young Plotts was the son of Rev. Conley Plotts, of Williamsport, Pa., and at quite an early age left home to seek his fortune in New York city. During the engagement before Port Hudson on the 27th of June he was taken prisoner, and on the 2d of July, in company with four or five prisoners, he dug his way out of prison with a tin pan, swam Thompson’s creek, and returned to his old comrades. During his stay in Port Hudson he obtained some very valuable information, which he imparted to Gen. Banks, who, charging him to keep it secret, sent him across the Mississippi to direct fire at Nimm’s battery, which was stationed opposite the city. On the morning of the 8th, as he was on the levee showing gunners at what point to fire, a shot from the rebel “big gun” struck him and killed him instantly. That afternoon Port Hudson surrendered, and the shot that killed young Plotts was the last one fired from the rebel works. Previous to his enlistment he was connected with this paper, and had won universal respect by the praiseworthy traits which he constantly displayed. He had been spared until our troops marched triumphantly into Baton Rouge there are not wanting indications that General Banks would have promoted him to a position worthy of his talents and faithfulness. [New York World, July 31, 1863]
--- END OF DOCUMENT ---
SAVANNAH.
Mutiny in the One Hundred and Sixty-Fifth New York – Loss of the Savannah War Steamer Leesburg--General Woodford Regulating the Public Schools of Savannah—Repairing the Railroads and Canals of Georgia, &c.
OUR SAVANNAH CORRESPONDENCE.
SAVANNAH, Ga., June 23, 1865
TROUBLE BETWEEN WHITE AND BLACK TROOPS.
On Wednesday some of the enlisted men of the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth New York Zouaves refused to do duty with the colored troops. It was at first reported that the whole regiment had mutinied, but this was incorrect. The matter was reported to Brevet Brigdier General Woodford, commanding the post, who, with much decision, at once arrested forth-three mutineers. Under orders from Brevet Major General Birge, they were at once sent to Fort Pulaski, to repent, in confinement, on bread and water, their attempt to dictate to the United States how its armies should be composed or troops classified. In justice to the officers of the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth, I must state that they had no knowledge of and gave no approval to the plot, and that they used all their efforts in bringing the real offenders to punishment. The balance of the regiment went to their duty without objection, and no further trouble has occurred or will occur.
--- END OF DOCUMENT ---
Thanks to Bill Graswich for the above transcription.
Printable MS Word Document is here - Large file size 1.1 MB