Lest We Forget - African American Military History by Researcher, Author and Veteran Bennie McRae, Jr.

Report of Col. A. Watson Webber, Fifty-first U.S. Colored Infantry of Operations April 1-9

HEADQUARTERS FIFTY-FIRST U. S. COLORED INFANTRY

Blakely, Ala., April 11, 1865

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the attack upon and capture of Blakely:

With the rest of the brigade my regiment was held in reserve the 1st and 2d days of April, during which time but one slight casualty occurred On the evening of the 2d the regiment was ordered to the front, taking position on the left of the Fiftieth Regiment U. S. Colored Infantry and connecting on the left with the right of General Pile's brigade (First Brigade, First Division, U. S. Colored Troops). The command remained at the front, partaking in all the active operations of the division, until the evening of the 8th, when it was relieved from duty in the trenches by the Forty-seveuth U. S. Colored Infantry, until then held in reserve. On the 9th, at 5 p.m., the regiment was again ordered to the front and participated in the successful assault made upon the enemy's works. While making the charge six men in one company were severely wounded by the explosion of one of the enemy's subterra shells. A full list of casualties is forwarded herewith.* The gallantry of the officers and men of my commmand during all the operations was so universal that to enumerate special cases would be invidious. There can be no doubt now, in the minds of their officers at least, but that our colored soldiers are brave and will fight.

I have the honor to be, lieutenant, your very obedient servant,

A. WATSON WEBBER
Colonel, Commanding Regiment
Lieut. T. SUMNER GREENE,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig., 1st Div., U. S. Colored Troops

*Nominal list (here omitted) shows 2 men killed and 1 officer and 14 men wounded.

Category: Civil War | Subcategory: Reports - Union | Tags: Blakely , Alabama , 50th regiment , First Brigade , First Division , A. WATSON WEBBER , T. SUMNER GREENE
Related Topics / Keywords / Phrases: 1865, Blake, Maine, Webber, A. Watson,