Colored Troops Fought Nobly (from the Hawkinsville (GA) Dispatch, Feb 5, 1885)
Mr J B Briggs of Briggsville KY is the only person who commanded colored troops in action on the Confederate side during the war.
At the battle of Chickamauga the Fourth TN Cavalry was dismounted to fight as infantry, every fourth man being told to hold horses. The 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 that 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 TN 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 Col 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 the line, but when the advance was ordered the negro company became enthused as well as their master, and filled a portion of the line of advance as well as any company of the regiment.