67:
501:
and the boasts of the
Confederate guerrillas, led by Captain Dick Taylor, who had murdered or shot many of the Union soldiers after they had been captured. The mass grave was located, and an effort was made to find the missing men. Carpenter wrote a report and documented the names of the known guerrillas. He encouraged a hunt to capture and prosecute them, but it was never undertaken. However, Henry Magruder would be tried, convicted, and sentenced to death by a military tribunal for other crimes. He was executed at the Louisville Military Prison on October 20, 1865.
389:
626:
478:
405:
remembering the murder of their comrades during the first battle of
Saltville, broke ranks to rescue their wounded comrades. The retreat threatened to become a rout. About 4 PM, Union reinforcements arrived and bolstered the Union line. During the night, Confederate forces were forced to retire due to the lack of ammunition. The next day Union forces buried the dead and helped the wounded. The costly victory marked the highpoint of Stoneman's raid.
666:
428:
474:, due to fouled powder. The guerrillas were armed with 6-shot revolvers, and most carried two or more. As Confederates quickly closed the distance, almost all of the colored soldiers bringing up the rear were wounded or dismounted. Only two escaped harm, one by playing dead, and the other hiding under an overturned wagon box. The forward group panicked and fled.
419:
victory and retreated from
Virginia before Confederate forces could completely surround him. Carpenter's role was not well documented in letters or other documents; he is noted as being there. Within three months, the Confederates had the saltworks back in full production. Carpenter later wrote a long letter home about this battle and how his men responded.
28:
497:
live. A total of six soldiers died en route or in
Louisville. It was later determined that at least some of the Union soldiers had been murdered trying to surrender or after being disarmed. The remainder of the Union wounded were left to die in the freezing cold. Three soldiers remained missing in the final accounting.
708:"L. Henry Carpenter", "Lt. Col." "5th U.S. Colored Troops." Promoted "Colonel" and listed as "vice Brisbin" on roster card. Lt. Col. James S. Brisbin, Fifth U. S. Colored Cavalry was later promoted to colonel and took command of the 6th United States colored Cavalry (USCC) and Carpenter took command of the 5th USCC.
385:. The first Union charge wavered and fell back. Carpenter ordered his men to reform and rally. With a mighty yell the 5th USCC rushed forward toward the breastworks but could not break the defensive line. Carpenter ordered the men to dig in and night fell. Volunteers went out between lines to rescue the wounded.
400:
On 18 December, the morning was cold and rainy with a light fog. The second day began as a copy of the first with multiple Union charges. The Union center was able to breach the center of the
Confederate breastworks but were pushed out by a Rebel counterattack. Carpenter led a mounted rescue force of
500:
Flint, who was in town during the ambush, fled to
Louisville. Authorities telegraphed Camp Nelson, and Carpenter immediately ordered ambulances. A heavy escort mounted and arrived on scene on 28 October. They took the surviving wounded to a hospital in Louisville. Locals reported what had happened
792:
Official
Records, 3rd ser., 5:122; "Regimental Personal Descriptions, Orders, Letters, Guard Reports, Council of Administration, Funds accounts, Telegrams, and Clothing Accounts of Noncommissioned Staff," vol. 1, "5th United States Colored Cavalry," Record Group 94, National Archives, Washington,
496:
About an hour after the ambush, local citizens found 15 dead and 20 wounded soldiers on and near the road. Four more soldiers were later found dead of wounds or of exposure nearby. The men of
Simpsonville took 20 wounded men back to town; 8 of the men so severely wounded they were not expected to
292:
soon realized that his newly formed black troops were illiterate. Therefore, Carpenter petitioned command to place white noncommissioned officers in charge of the black units. His request was granted, and hastily the 5th USCC was formed. Some soldiers had not officially enlisted; few officers had
527:
Historians believe that it is likely the murdered black soldiers who were being treated at Wiley Hall may have been buried at what is now known as the
Holston Cemetery on campus. This has not been proven. There are common names among the men of the Federal and Confederate 5th Kentucky regiments.
312:
to proceed into southwest
Virginia and destroy the salt works at Saltville. The 5th USCC, therefore, was attached to Colonel Brisbin's forces and joined Burbridge in Prestonburg, Kentucky. Burbridge left Prestonburg on 27 September to march towards Saltville. White troops resented the blacks and
276:
Its first major encounter was on 2 October 1864, in and around the salt works of Saltville, Virginia. When word of Burbridge's raid reached the 5th USCC, the regiment had yet to be officially organized until after they returned from the raid. At the time of the battle, over 600 colored soldiers
418:
Union forces hastily attempted to destroy the vital salt works. They destroyed about one third of the boiling kettles and most evaporating sheds. They also damaged portions of the Virginia & Tennessee railroad. But they failed to destroy or damage the salt wells. General Stoneman claimed a
404:
Later that day the Confederate reinforcements made a charge on the Union left flank. The white unit adjacent to the 5th USCC was completely routed, and the 5th USCC flank was threatened. Ordered to fall back, Carpenter and Brisbin tried to maintain an orderly retreat. Many colored soldiers,
401:
colored soldiers to save white soldiers trapped near a covered bridge on the left flank. Carpenter made several attempts but could not rescue the soldiers. Most of those trapped soldiers would be captured later that afternoon, but were released before giving their parole.
414:
On the afternoon of 20 December, Union forces attacked Saltville, Virginia. Confederate forces were overwhelmed when the 5th & 6th USCC entered the fray with a cold vengeance. Outnumbered Confederate forces retreated and awaited promised reinforcements.
248:
cavalry units who operated during the Indian Wars in the West. Many USCC soldiers (later called troopers) volunteered for further service after their Civil War units were retired. This regiment is not to be confused with the
457:
On 23 January 1865, 80 colored troops of Company E, 5th US Colored Cavalry, under command of 2nd Lieutenant Augustus Flint, were assigned to move almost a thousand head of cattle from Camp Nelson to the stock yard at
380:
and his second in command, Carpenter, led their dismounted soldiers forward toward the Confederate defensive works. The Confederates opened heavy fire upon the advancing Union troops, which included four ten-pound
994:
333:, murdered captured and wounded Union soldiers, notably members of the 5th USCC, in their hospital beds. Ferguson was arrested after the war had ended and tried for the murders. He was convicted in the trial in
329:. Despite valiant attempts to break through Confederate lines, the cavalry was repeatedly repulsed. The Union forces were defeated. In the ensuing hours after its finish, Confederate partisans, led by
1024:
989:
999:
1009:
297:
was temporarily placed in charge of the group with orders to join Burbridge in Kentucky. In his haste to create the unit, Wade mounted his 600 men on untrained horses and supplied them with
484:
was one of the most widely used revolvers of the Civil War. It had a six-shot, rotating cylinder, and fired a 0.454-inch-diameter (11.5 mm) round lead ball projectile, propelled by
1004:
644:
250:
265:, commander of the Military District of Kentucky, issued General Order No. 24/ This authorized the formation of colored units in his command. They were composed of ex-slaves,
301:. These were useless to mounted men as they could not be loaded from horseback. In comparison, the troops of the 11th Michigan and 12th Ohio cavalries were armed with
517:
313:
subjected them to ridicule. They sometimes pulled their hats off or stole their horses, but the black soldiers conducted themselves with professional conduct.
1019:
669:
United States Colored Troops Enlistment card of L. Henry Carpenter, Lt. Col. of Volunteers, mustered 1 October 1864, assigned to the 5th US Colored Cavalry
349:
ordered the 5th USCC to participate in a raid from East Tennessee into southwestern Virginia. This resulted in engagements that involved the 5th USCC at
181:
1014:
462:. The men were assigned mostly to the front and rear of the spread-out herd of cattle. About 41 men were bringing up the rear on 25 January near
770:
734:
337:
and sentenced to death by hanging. He was one of only three men to be executed for war crimes that took place during the American Civil War.
813:
639:
286:
848:
724:
693:
186:
441:
was the second most used infantry weapon used in the Civil War. It was 55 inches (1,400 mm) long and fired a .577 calibre
270:
211:
954:
388:
82:
631:
513:
878:
302:
282:
223:
589:
463:
409:
362:
350:
326:
262:
127:
563:
557:
322:
289:
277:
joined General Burbridge in the, as yet unorganized, 5th USCC. Although the regiment consisted of black
269:, and slaves who had escaped to Union lines. Although the unit was not officially formed as part of the
230:
150:
117:
477:
905:
481:
471:
459:
431:
376:
ordered the 5th USCC between two white units on the left flank of the Union line. Lieutenant Colonel
373:
354:
44:
393:
377:
244:
who had escaped to Union lines. Many white officers from the unit were later assigned to the famed
146:
504:
A memorial marker commemorating the ambush and murder of US Colored Troops was unveiled in 2009.
281:, the officers of the regiment were required to be white. The white officers would then organize
215:
207:
112:
817:
218:. The 5th USCC was one of the more notable black fighting units. It was officially organized in
524:. It was an occasion for honoring the 50 missing soldiers from the first battle of Saltville.
766:
730:
572:
467:
762:
583:
521:
369:
358:
309:
245:
122:
32:
346:
229:
until February 1865, when he took over the 6th US Colored Cavalry. His executive officer,
856:
759:
Butcher Burbridge: Union General Stephen Burbridge and His Reign of Terror Over Kentucky
685:
665:
654:
489:
450:
365:
on 20 & 21 December near Saltville, Virginia. All were considered Union victories.
330:
983:
442:
382:
298:
294:
293:
been appointed, and fewer non-commissioned officers (NCO) were assigned. Yet Colonel
226:
72:
650:
David E. Brown, "History of the 5th Regiment Cavalry, United States Colored Troops"
485:
446:
285:
among the ranks of the black soldiers to fill the positions of sergeants. However,
816:. Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp #1629 - Sons of Confederate Veterans. Archived from
427:
621:
576:
325:
on 1–3 October 1864, as part of the Union forces under the command of General
962:
334:
36:
512:
The 5th USCC remained on duty for almost a year after the surrender of the
453:. Because it was a muzzle-loading weapon, it was unsuited for cavalry use.
266:
237:
219:
203:
102:
40:
278:
92:
27:
612:
438:
241:
726:
Black soldiers in blue: African American troops in the Civil War era
664:
476:
434:
426:
387:
273:
until 24 October 1864, it saw combat on two different occasions.
222:
in October 1864, after its first two battles. It was commanded by
470:. Few of the Union troops were able to fire their muzzle-loaded
528:
Confederate graves on the campus may not be accurately marked.
649:
361:
near Marion, Virginia on 17 & 18 December, and the second
520:. On 16 March 1866, the 5th USCC held its final formation in
466:, when they were ambushed by Confederate guerrillas, led by
995:
United States Colored Troops Civil War units and formations
931:
686:"U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1861–1865"
43:, November 1864. It shows typical Union uniforms and the
392:
Union re-enactors recreate the Battle of Saltville in
932:"5th Regiment Cavalry - United States Colored Troops"
568:
12 December - Hopkinsville, Kentucky - an engagement
1025:
Military units and formations disestablished in 1866
990:
Units and formations of the Union Army from Kentucky
645:
List of United States Colored Troops Civil War Units
140:
135:
108:
98:
88:
78:
60:
52:
20:
1000:19th-century military history of the United States
955:"Civil War Battles - United States Colored Troops"
1010:Military units and formations established in 1864
814:"The Battle of Marion - December 17 and 18, 1864"
233:, commanded the regiment until 20 March 1866.
849:"5th U.S. Colored Cavalry at Simpsonville, Ky"
305:, which were wholly effective from horseback.
959:United States Colored Troops in the Civil War
8:
843:
841:
839:
837:
835:
812:Chaltas, David & Brown, Richard (2010).
1005:Cavalry regiments of the United States Army
729:. The University of North Carolina Press.
187:6th United States Colored Cavalry Regiment
182:4th United States Colored Cavalry Regiment
160:
788:
786:
784:
782:
718:
716:
807:
805:
803:
801:
799:
684:United States National Archives (NARA).
582:17–18 December 1864, Marion, Virginia -
562:21 October - Harrodsburg, Kentucky - an
236:The regiment was composed of ex-slaves,
679:
677:
673:
588:20–21 December - Saltville, Virginia -
308:General Burbridge had been ordered by
17:
261:In the early months of 1864, General
210:organized as one of the units of the
7:
571:13 December - Kingsport, Tennessee (
536:Summary of battles of the 5th USCC.
317:Battle of Saltville and the 5th USCC
611:25 January - Simpsonville, KY - an
445:lead ball projectile, propelled by
1020:1866 disestablishments in Arkansas
696:from the original on 29 April 2010
640:List of battles fought in Kentucky
556:2 October - Saltville, Virginia -
14:
906:"Simpsonville Civil War Massacre"
482:The Colt .44-caliber "Army" Model
321:The 5th USCC participated in the
251:5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry
200:5th United States Colored Cavalry
21:5th United States Colored Cavalry
879:"Execution of Henry C. Magruder"
624:
340:
65:
26:
1015:1864 establishments in Kentucky
953:McRae, Bennie J. Jr. (2008) .
283:noncommissioned field officers
1:
961:. LWF Network. Archived from
271:United States Colored Troops
212:United States Colored Troops
341:Stoneman's 1864 Winter Raid
1041:
723:Smith, John David (2001).
407:
345:In December 1864, General
303:Spencer repeating carbines
632:American Civil War portal
514:Army of Northern Virginia
175:
172:
47:used by US Colored Troops
25:
930:Brown, David E. (2010).
853:5th U.S. Colored Cavalry
910:www.armchairgeneral.com
757:Bush, Bryan S. (2008).
532:Battles of the 5th USCC
472:Enfield infantry rifles
299:Enfield infantry rifles
855:. 2010. Archived from
690:micofilm M1817 roll 63
670:
590:Battle of Saltville II
518:Appomattox Court House
493:
454:
423:Ambush at Simpsonville
410:Battle of Saltville II
397:
383:Parrott rifled cannons
351:Hopkinsville, Kentucky
327:Stephen Gano Burbridge
263:Stephen Gano Burbridge
164:U.S. Cavalry Regiments
128:Battle of Saltville II
668:
558:Battle of Saltville I
480:
430:
391:
372:, Division Commander
323:Battle of Saltville I
231:Louis Henry Carpenter
151:Louis Henry Carpenter
118:Battle of Saltville I
965:on 26 September 2010
460:Louisville, Kentucky
374:Stephen G. Burbridge
357:on 13 December, the
355:Kingsport, Tennessee
508:End of the 5th USCC
396:on August 20, 2006.
394:Saltville, Virginia
363:Battle of Saltville
147:James Sanks Brisbin
45:1853 Enfield rifles
671:
494:
455:
398:
290:L. Henry Carpenter
287:Lieutenant Colonel
216:American Civil War
208:United States Army
113:American Civil War
35:Union soldiers at
885:. 25 October 1865
772:978-0-9798802-5-4
765:: Acclaim Press.
736:978-0-8078-2741-3
573:flanking movement
468:Henry C. Magruder
196:
195:
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156:
155:
1032:
975:
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934:. David E. Brown
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820:on 22 March 2016
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763:Morley, Missouri
754:
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692:. Ancestry.com.
681:
634:
629:
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584:Battle of Marion
522:Helena, Arkansas
378:James S. Brisbin
370:Battle of Marion
359:Battle of Marion
353:on 12 December,
246:Buffalo Soldiers
170:
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123:Battle of Marion
71:
69:
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33:African-American
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904:Glasser, Paul.
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883:New York Times
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859:on 23 May 2009
831:
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655:Champ Ferguson
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451:percussion cap
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488:and a copper
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449:and a copper
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310:General Grant
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295:James F. Wade
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73:United States
63:
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34:
29:
24:
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16:
967:. Retrieved
963:the original
958:
948:
936:. Retrieved
925:
913:. Retrieved
909:
899:
887:. Retrieved
882:
873:
861:. Retrieved
857:the original
852:
822:. Retrieved
818:the original
758:
752:
740:. Retrieved
725:
698:. Retrieved
689:
610:
587:
581:
570:
567:
561:
555:
535:
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511:
503:
499:
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486:black powder
464:Simpsonville
456:
447:black powder
432:1853 Enfield
417:
413:
403:
399:
367:
344:
320:
307:
275:
260:
257:Organization
235:
199:
197:
15:
577:skirmishing
368:During the
214:during the
109:Engagements
984:Categories
661:References
564:engagement
443:Minié-type
279:cavalrymen
143:commanders
136:Commanders
79:Allegiance
335:Nashville
56:1864–1866
37:Dutch Gap
694:Archived
618:See also
267:freedmen
238:freedmen
220:Kentucky
204:regiment
173:Previous
103:Regiment
41:Virginia
889:27 July
224:Colonel
206:of the
141:Notable
93:Cavalry
61:Country
969:24 May
938:24 May
915:18 May
863:25 May
824:25 May
769:
742:24 May
733:
700:24 May
613:ambush
575:&
439:Musket
242:slaves
240:, and
202:was a
89:Branch
70:
53:Active
435:Rifle
83:Union
971:2010
940:2010
917:2013
891:2014
865:2010
826:2010
793:D.C.
767:ISBN
744:2010
731:ISBN
702:2010
601:1865
546:1864
198:The
176:Next
99:Size
516:at
986::
957:.
908:.
881:.
851:.
834:^
798:^
781:^
761:.
715:^
688:.
676:^
579:)
253:.
39:,
973:.
942:.
919:.
893:.
867:.
828:.
775:.
746:.
704:.
492:.
437:-
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
