| 52nd United States Colored Infantry | |
|---|---|
| Active | March 11, 1864 - May 5, 1866 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Infantry |
| Engagements | Action at Coleman's Plantation |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | George Ziegler |
The 52nd United States Colored Infantry was an infantry regiment composed of African-American troops recruited from Mississippi that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. On July 4, 1864, the 52nd Colored Infantry fought a battle at Coleman's Plantation in Jefferson County, Mississippi. This engagement is notable as it is most likely the first time that Black soldiers from Mississippi fought against white Confederates from the same state. [1]
The 52nd US Colored Regiment was initially formed as the 2nd Mississippi Infantry (African Descent), in July 1863. Black troops were enlisted at Vicksburg, Mississippi following the capture of that city by Union forces the same month. On March 11, 1864, the regiment was reorganized as the 52nd US Colored Infantry Regiment. [2] Colonel George Ziegler was commissioned as colonel of the Regiment on December 22, 1864, serving in command until the end of the war. Ziegler was a white veteran of the 47th Ohio Infantry Regiment, all officers of the US Colored Troops were white, and Black soldiers would not be commissioned as officers in the US army until after the Civil War.
US Colored Troops regiments were assigned to garrison duties to hold strategic points along the Mississippi River and free up veteran Union regiments for service elsewhere. General Henry Halleck wrote to Ulysses S. Grant, in July 1864, shortly after the capture of Vicksburg, expressing his opinion that the regiments of freshly-recruited Black troops would be suitable for this assignment: “The Mississippi should be the base of future operations east and west. When Port Hudson falls, the fortifications of that place, as well as of Vicksburg, should be so arranged as to be held by the smallest possible garrisons, thus leaving the mass of troops for operations in the field. I suggest that colored troops be used as far as possible in the garrisons." [3] By the spring of 1864, half of the Vicksburg garrison consisted of US Colored Troops. [1]
In July 1864, an expedition comprising the 48th & 52nd Colored Regiments, along with the Mississippi Marine Brigade led by General Alfred W. Ellet was sent to stop Confederate cavalry units south of Vicksburg from linking up with Confederate forces near Jackson during the Tupelo campaign. The Colored Troops left their garrison at Vicksburg and disembarked their transport ships near Rodney, Mississippi on July 3. On July 4, near Coleman's Plantation, Confederate cavalry commanded by Col. Robert C. Wood attacked the Union troops. When called into battle, the troops of the 52nd charged the Confederates, crying "Remember Fort Pillow! No quarter!" and forced the Confederates to retreat. [4] According to a Vicksburg newspaper, "The Colored troops fought like tigers...No cowardice was shown by any of the command, and all acted with the most determined bravery and coolness". [1] The Union troops staged a fighting retreat back to their transports, having succeeded in their diversionary attack to draw the Confederates away from Jackson. The Union forces suffered 21 killed and 33 wounded, Confederate casualties were estimated at 150 total. [4]
The 52nd returned to Vicksburg, and fought a skirmish with Confederate forces at Bayou Liddell, Louisiana on October 15, 1864. [5] The regiment was mustered out of service May 5, 1866.
United States Colored Troops (USCT) were Union Army regiments during the American Civil War that primarily comprised African Americans, with soldiers from other ethnic groups also serving in USCT units. Established in response to a demand for more units from Union Army commanders, by the end of the war in 1865 USCT regiments, which numbered 175 in total, constituted about one-tenth of the manpower of the army. Approximately 20 percent of USCT soldiers were killed in action or died of disease and other causes, a rate about 35 percent higher than that of white Union troops. Numerous USCT soldiers fought with distinction, with 16 receiving the Medal of Honor. The USCT regiments were precursors to the Buffalo Soldier units which fought in the American Indian Wars.
The Battle of Milliken's Bend was fought on June 7, 1863, as part of the Vicksburg Campaign during the American Civil War. Major General Ulysses S. Grant of the Union Army had placed the strategic Mississippi River city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, under siege in mid-1863. Confederate leadership erroneously believed that Grant's supply line still ran through Milliken's Bend in Louisiana, and Major General Richard Taylor was tasked with disrupting it to aid the defense of Vicksburg. Taylor sent Brigadier General Henry E. McCulloch with a brigade of Texans to attack Milliken's Bend, which was held by a brigade of newly-recruited African American soldiers. McCulloch's attack struck early on the morning of June 7, and was initially successful in close-quarters fighting. Fire from the Union gunboat USS Choctaw halted the Confederate attack, and McCulloch later withdrew after the arrival of a second gunboat. The attempt to relieve Vicksburg was unsuccessful. One of the first actions in which African American soldiers fought, Milliken's Bend demonstrated the value of African American soldiers as part of the Union Army.
The Battle of Tupelo, also known as the Engagement at Harrisburg, was a battle of the American Civil War fought from July 14 to 15, 1864, near Tupelo, Mississippi. The Union victory over Confederate forces in northeast Mississippi ensured the safety of Sherman's supply lines during the Atlanta Campaign.
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The 54th United States Colored Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops which was created by the United States War Department on May 22, 1863.
The 52nd Regiment Indiana Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
The 53rd United States Colored Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops which was created by the United States War Department on May 22, 1863.
The 61st United States Colored Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops which was created by the United States War Department on May 22, 1863. The non-commissioned officers (sergeants and corporals) and enlisted men were African Americans. The regiment was originally organized as the 2nd Tennessee Volunteer Infantry (African Descent) and was also referred to as the 2nd West Tennessee Infantry Regiment (African Descent).
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The 3rd United States Colored Cavalry was a regiment in the United States Army organized as one of the units of the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. The regiment was originally formed in October 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi as the 1st Mississippi Cavalry Regiment. The unit soon began taking part in expeditions near Vicksburg. In February–March 1864, the regiment saw action at Yazoo City. After being renamed the 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry in March 1864, the regiment continued to participate in raids, including the Yazoo City expedition in May. In December 1864, the unit took part in a successful raid led by Benjamin Grierson during which the Battle of Egypt Station and other actions were fought. The regiment operated near Memphis, Tennessee, until April 1865, after which it returned to Vicksburg for occupation duties. The soldiers were mustered out of federal service in January 1866.
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