ITEM #18037
August 15, 1863
VILLAGE RECORD

General News NEGROES AS FIGHTING MEN. General Blunt, in a
private letter describing the battle of Honey Springs, in the
Indian territory, says: 'One Texas regiment went in with three
hundred men and came out with only sixty. This regiment was
opposed to the First Colored, and the negroes were too much
for them; and let me say here that I never saw such fighting
done as was done by the brave negro regiment at the battle of
Honey Springs. They fought like veterans, with a coolness and
valor that is unsurpassed. They preserved their line perfect
throughout the whole engagement, and although in the hottest
of the fight, they never once faltered. Too much praise cannot
be awarded them for their gallantry. The question that negroes
will fight is settled; besides they make better soldiers in
every respect than any troops I have ever had under my
command.