Below can be found a portion of the writings that exist on the behavior of some of the Blacks that marched with the Confederate Army. These accounts were published in 1863, by an author only identified as T.E.C. Who, he claims, was English, a infantry man in a Yazoo, Mississippi unit, and would be transferred and promoted to a staff position in a Confederate Artillery unit. He has been later identified as Thomas E. Caffey, of Co. D, 18th Mississippi. The book only covers from the beginning of the war until Fredericksburg. The fact it was publised in London, gives the thought that T.E.C. was able to travel back to Great Britain, as did William Watson of the 3rd La., see "Life in the Confederate Army" 1888.

"Among the incidents of battle near Richmond, the following amusing scene is said to have occurred near the Mechanicsville road. The 8th and 9th Georgia were ordered out to repel the enemy, when, upon the men falling in, one of the 9th stepped from the ranks and told the captain " he wasn't able to face the music," " You are scared," said the captain; " lay down your gun and accoutrements, and retire, sir." The chicken-hearted gentleman did so, when shortly afterwards there stepped forward a good-looking darkey, named Westley, well known in camp, who asked permission to put on the deserted accoutrements and shoulder his gun. The request being granted, Westley followed the company into action, and though the shells and Mine balls of the enemy were falling thick and fast about him, Westiey never wavered, but brought down a Yankee at every fire. Such a deed if worthy of remembrance, and should inspire our soldiery with tenfold energy and courage, if possible, for if servants will do this, what may not be accomplished by the master?"

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"Until the present," said Frank, "I never thought our boys possessed half so much spirit as they do. Fight! why, you might as well endeavour to keep ducks from water as attempt to hold in the cooks of our company, when firing or fighting is on hand. In fact, an order has been frequently issued to keep darkies to the rear in time of battle, but although I lectured my boy about it, I was surprised to find him behind me at Manassas, rifle in hand, shouting out, ' Go in, massa! give it to 'em, boys ! now you've got 'em, and give 'em h—ll!"

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"There was a very old, gray-haired cook in an Alabama regiment," Jenkins remarked, "who would follow his young master to the war, and had the reputation of a saint among the coloured boys of the brigade; and as he could read the Bible, and was given to preaching, he invariably assembled the darkies on Sunday afternoon and held meetings in the woods. He used to lecture them unmercifully, but could not keep them from singing and dancing after ' tattoo.' Uncle Pompey, as he was called, was an excellent servant, and an admirable cook, and went on from day to day singing hymns among his pots round the camp-fire, until the battle of ' Seven Pines' opened, when the regiment moved up to the front, and was soon engaged.

"Uncle Pompey, contrary to orders, persisted in going also, but was met by another darkie, who asked,' Whar's you gwine, uncle Pomp ? You isn't gwine up dar to have all de har scorched off yer head, is you ?' Uncle Pompey still persisted in advancing, and shouldering a rifle soon overtook his regiment. ' De Lor' hab marcy on us all, boys! here dey comes agin ! take car, massa, and hole your rifle square, as I showed you in de swamp ! Dar it is,' he exclaimed as the Yankees fired and over-shot, 'just as I taught ! can't shoot worth a bad five-cent piece ! Now's de time, boys!' and as the Alabamians returned a withering volley and closed up with the enemy, charging them furiously, uncle Pompey forgot all about his church, his ministry, and sanctity, and while firing and dodging, as best he could, was heard to shout out,' Pitch in, white folks—uncle Pomp's behind yer. Send all de Yankees to de 'ternal flames, whar dere's weeping and gnashing of—sail in Alabamy; stick 'em wid de bayonet, and send all de blue ornary cusses to de state ob eternal fire and brimstone! Push 'em hard, boys !—push 'em hard; and when dey's gone, may de Lor' hab marcy on de last one on 'em, and send dem to h—l farder nor a pigin kin fly in a month! Stick de d—d sons of — ! don't spar none on 'em, for de good Lord neber made such as dem, no how you kin fix it; for it am said in de two-eyed chapter of de one eyed John, some whar in Collusions, dat— Hurray, boys! dat's you, sure—now you've got 'em; give 'em goss! show 'em a taste of ole Alabamy!' &c. The person who saw Uncle Pompey," added Jenkins, "-was wounded and sat behind a tree, but said, although his hurt was extremely painful, the eloquence, rage, and impetuosity of Pomp, as he loaded and fired rapidly, was so ludicrous,being an incoherent jumble of oaths, snatches of Scripture, and prayers, that the tears ran down his cheeks, and he burst out into a roar of laughter."

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David Upton

Battle-fields of the South: from Bull run to Fredericksburg, by T.E.C., English Combatant, London 1863.