"Likely Massacre of Black POWs Following the ---" Topic

…Battle of Olustee.

"In an attempt to cut off Confederate supply lines in Florida, Union General Truman Seymour raided from Jacksonville toward the center of the state, with Lake City as the objective. His command, 5,500-strong, included three regiments of black soldiers, including the famed 54th Massachusetts. Waiting in opposition near Olustee Station on the Florida, Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad was Confederate General Joseph Finnegan.

The two forces met at in the morning of February 20th, with Seymour feeding his Federal troops into the fray in a piecemeal fashion. This ensured his defeat. Ultimately, his lines broke upon the Confederate entrenchments and the entire command, save the 54th Massachusetts and the 35th US Colored Troops, was sent into a retreat. Acting a rear guard, the two black regiments beat back the advancing Rebels.

It is here where the murdering began…"
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Amicalement
Armand

In the movie "Glory" were they not warned this would happen, if they volunteered, to fight for the Union. This also applied to their white officers also. A very disturbing practice by the Confederates.

Yep, but this story in particular what shows is the lack of empathy from the common Southern soldier, rather than any official policy.

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The link is about Union POWs

There was also the story told of African American Confederate POWs being shot when they walked through the gates of Camp Douglas. I can't find a good source for that tale though.

Not to excuse or condone killing enemy wounded rather than taking them captive (particularly when is is racially applied), but there is (nor was then) an obligation to take someone a prisoner even if he surrendered.

Based on that, rather than a massacre of POWs this primarily describes an action where black Union soldiers were killed rather than being taken prisoner.

Sadly history is replete with similar instances.

Did Black Soldiers pay back when they have wounded Rebels at their disposal…?.

Amicalement
Armand

And it was after this post that I stopped clicking on anything from Tango01…..

Could they be blamed if they did ?

No … of course…

Wow!… you seems to be very sensitive my friend… (smile).

Amicalement
Armand

I just answered your question with another question, Raul :)

(Warning to the squeamish.) I don't know of any recorded instances where black soldiers murdered wounded Rebel prisoners. However, during the raid on the Weldon railroad in Dec 1864, Warren's 5th corps (white Yankee troops) left their wounded at a church near Sussex county Court House. A Confederate home guard cavalry unit over-ran the hospital the following day. Anyway, the rebel army said they were home guard. The wounded were fed alive to slave catcher hounds in the field behind the church. Escaped slaves brought the news to the Yankee army. A cavalry patrol went back and verified the claims. This resulted in a massive reprisal. When word spread in the army ranks, the men refused any control or reason by their officers. Up to that point the raiding force only destroyed military and railroad property. For the next few days the gloves came off. Every white home in reach was burnt to the ground with the family locked inside, men, women and children. There was likely allot of brutal rapes. Any military prisoners taken were beat to death and/or hanged. Very horrible things happen in war. After the raid, the white officers, both sides decided to blame the horror on the men getting drunk during the lawless period, rather than face what really happened. I tend to think the knowledge of this incident weighed heavily on Lee when the idea of guerrilla war came up in April 1865.