My apologies for not providing a better explanation. The Richmond Howitzers is a one of the companies routinely mentioned as having black members. Keith may know more about this battery, but I have been through a battery history and reviewed rolls in the book. Results did not support any black component at all.

Your explanation makes much better sense. Another case in which no one bothered to consult Confederate accounts before declaring the Federal report conclusive. Within the past twenty-four hours we have eliminated both the Richmond Howitzers and Forrest's Escort Company as integrated Confederate units. That's progress!

Maybe it's the fever, but whenever we take up the topic of integrated Confederate units, I am reminded of the Klan leader in O Brother Where Art Thou? who saw this group without their hoods and declared, "The color guard is colored!" Apparently his eyesight wasn't any better than some of these Yankee observers.