The first sight the Army of the Potomac had of colored troops was on the occasion of Kilpatrick's raid in March, 1864. The Times correspondent wrote: "Near New Kent court house the command came across the first colored troops they had ever seen. Here was a full brigade which had been marched up; and as the cavalry passed by cheer, after cheer was given by both commands. No brigade ever made a better appearance or a better impression upon those who for the first time saw colored troops. A mountain of prejudice was removed in an instant."
-War Papers, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Commandery of the State of Maine
Publisher Thurston Print, 1908
No comments:
Post a Comment