Captain J. B. Briggs: Blacks At Chickamauga

Also HERE.
This article originally appeared in the Louisville Times and was
reprinted in the Hawkinsville (Georgia) Dispatch. Historical researcher
Greg White found this on microfilm in the main library of the University
of Georgia, Athens.

This war record was written by Captain J. B. Briggs, of Briggsville, KY
(Muhlenberg County). Captain Briggs was assistant Quartermaster of the
Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, C.S.A. and served during the war with Wheeler
and Forrest.

At the battle of Chickamauga the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry was dismounted
to fight as infantry, every fourth man being told off to hold horses.
These horse-holders, and also all of the colored servants, were kept in
the rear. The colored men numbered about 40, and having been in service
a long time, had gradually armed themselves. Some of them were even
better equipped than their masters, for on successful raids and battles
they could follow in the rear and pick up those things the soldiers had
no time to secure; so that these colored servants could each boast of
one or two revolvers and a fine carbine or repeating rifle.

During all of the early part of the battle of Chickamauga, the Fourth
Tennessee Cavalry had been fighting as infantry, and as it became
evident that a victory was to be won, Col. McLemore, commanding, ordered
Captain Briggs to return to the horse-holders, and after placing the
horses, teams, etc, under charge of the servants, to bring up the
quarter of the regiment in charge of the horses so that they might take
part in the final triumph. Capt. Briggs, on reaching the horses, was
surprised to find the colored men organized and equipped, under Daniel
McLemore, colored (servant to the Colonel of the regiment), and
demanding the right to go into the fight. After trying to dissuade them
from this, Capt. Briggs led them up to the line of battle, which was
just then preparing to assault Gen. Thomas' position. Thinking
they would be of service in caring for the wounded, Capt. Briggs held
them close up in line, but when the advance was ordered the negro
company became enthused as well as their masters, and filled a portion
of the line of advance as well as any company of the regiment. They
were equally up to the charge as the rest of the men. While they had no
guidon or muster roll, the burial after the battle of four of their
number and the care of seven wounded at the hospital, told the tale of
how well they fought that day.

Lee Millar
Forrest Camp 215 SCV