The battle of Port Hudson, La., on May 27,1863, was the first major battle in which newly recruited African American troops were used. They were the Louisiana Colored Volunteers. They suffered 37 dead, 116 missing and 155 wounded. It is alleged that many were killed or wounded by the Confederates after they were out-numbered and surrendered, which is the first massacre of Black troops, before Fort Pillow, Tenn.

K. Wyer Lane: Did your gg grandfather survive the battle?