The Florida in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Black troops in Florida
In Response To: Re: Black troops in Florida ()

Bryce,

The black Union troops in Florida seem to have been highly regarded by the generals at Pensacola and Key West.

Gen. Asboth at Pensacola used men from the 82nd and 86th U.S. Colored Infantries as mounted infantry at the Battle of Marianna on September 27, 1864 and recruited heavily for the regiments during his operations.

Gen. John Newton at Key West mounted the Natural Bridge expedition in March of 1865 with the 2nd and 99th USCT and a battalion from the 2nd Florida Cavalry (U.S.). Aside from a few sailors who volunteered to serve his artillery, all of the troops that Newton carried into the Battle of Natural Bridge were from the USCT regiments. They sustained heavy casualties in the battle and took part in eight distinct charges against the entrenched Confederate forces.

Dale

Messages In This Thread

Black troops in Florida
Re: Black troops in Florida
Re: Black troops in Florida
Re: Black troops in Florida
Re: Black troops in Florida
Re: Black troops in Florida