HISTORY

3rd US COLORED INFANTRY

RATHER DIE FREE MEN THAN LIVE TO BE SLAVES

HISTORY

3^rd United States Colored Infantry

A Brief History

Lt. Col Benjamin Chew Tilghman
Regimental Commander
3rd U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment

The 3^rd United States Colored Infantry Regiment, was the first regiment of US Colored
Troops to be organized and trained at Camp William Penn. There were 11 regiments
and two (2) companies of infantry trained at Camp William Penn. The Training Camp
was located in Chelten Hills, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a few miles North of
the city of Philadelphia. Recruiting of the 3rd U.S.C.I. was completed during the first
week of August, 1863. After a few weeks of training, the regiment departed Philadelphia
for assignment to the Fourth Brigade, Tenth Corps, Department of the South. Due to
Copperhead opposition to the organizing of black regiments and a strong atmosphere
of racism in the Philadelphia area, the 3rd U.S.C.I. was not allowed to parade down
Broad Street, the main street of Philadelphia on their way to South Carolina.

From late August,1863 until November 1863, the 3rd U.S.C.I. was attached to the 4th
Brigade, 10th Corps at Morris Island¸ Charleston Harbor, SC. On Morris Island the
3rd U.S.C.I. took part in the siege of Battery Wagner and Battery Gregg. On
September 7, 1863 the 3rd U.S.C.I. and other units, captured Batteries Wagner and
Gregg. In November, 1863, the regiment was reassigned to the 3rd Brigade, 10th
Corps and took part in several operations in the Charleston, SC area. In January 1864
it was assigned to Montgomery's Brigade, District of Hilton Head, SC. In February
1864, the 3rd became part of the 2nd Brigade, Voges' Division, District of Florida,
Dept. of the South. In February of 1865, the regiment was transferred to the District
of Florida. The 3rd U.S.C.I. arrived in Jacksonville along with the 55th Mass, Vol, Inf.
both units were held in reserve during the Battle of Olustee and participated in
supporting the retreat of the forces involved. While in Florida the 3rd U.S.C.I. took
part in a series of expeditions and actions. In April, 1864 while still part of the District
of Florida, Dept. of the South, elements of the regiment were trained as heavy artillery
and served at several shore batteries in that capacity for an extended period. Other
elements of the regiment served as Provost Guard in Tallahassee, and Lake City, Florida.
The remainder of the regiment served at garrison duty in and around Jacksonville,
Fernandina and other locations in Northern Florida. The regiment remained in Florida
until it was returned to Philadelphia and mustered out of service on October 31, 1865.

Byron W. Childress

THE 3RD US COLORED INFANTRY SERVED AS PROVOST GUARD
WHILE ON GARRISON DUTY IN, JACKSONVILLE AND TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS OF :
THE 3RD US COLORED INFANTRY

NAME RANK DATE MUSTERED IN DATE LEFT SERVICE

Benj. C. Tilghman, [ Colonel], May 29, 1861 Promoted from 26th regiment P. V., July 26, 1863; resigned June 9, 1865
Fred'k. W. Bardwell, [ Colonel], July 14, 1863 Promoted from Major to Lt. Colonel, June 29, 1865; to Colonel, September 9, 1865; mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Ulysses Doubleday, [ Lt. Colonel], October 2, 1863 Promoted to Colonel 45th Regiment U. S. Colored Troops, October 5, 1864
John L. Brower, [ Lt. Colonel], August 12, 1863 Promoted from Captain, Company D, September 13, 1865; mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Sherman Conant, [ Major], August 29, 1863 Promoted from Captain, Company H, September 13, 1865; mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Sam'l. S. Marseilles [ Adjutant] July 18, 1863 Promoted from 1st Lt. Company A, August 1, 1863; to Captain Company I, June 5, 1865
Cyrus W. Brown [ Adjutant] August 11, 1863 Promoted from 1st Lt. Company K, June 23, 1865; mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
John S.M'Caughan [ Quarter Master] August 1, 1863 Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, August 26, 1865
John N. Lyman [ Surgeon] August 4, 1863 Resigned December 19, 1863
Granville M. Veeks [ Surgeon] January 31, 1864 Discharged by Special Order, July 22, 1864
Alonzo M. Barnes [ Surgeon] September 15, 1864 Mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Charles G. Polk [ Assistant Surgeon] December 28, 1863 Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, January 18, 1865
Watson Porter [ Assistant Surgeon] April 3, 1864 Mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Jas. B. Farrington [ Assistant Surgeon] August 5, 1865 Mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Lewis M. Hobs [ Chaplain] December 21, 1863 Mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Henry James [ Sergeant Major] June 30, 1863 Promoted from private Company B, July 12, 1863; mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Jacob D. Enos [ Quarter Sergeant] December 16, 1863 Promoted from private Company A, August 9, 1865; mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Henry B. Roberts [ Quarter Sergeant] July 21, 1863 Promoted from private Company I, July 24, 1863; died at New York, August 8, 1865
Isaac Wilmore [ Commissary Sergeant] June 26, 1863 Promoted from private Company A, July 9, 1863; mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Charles N. Miller [ Hospital Steward] August 13, 1863 Mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Joseph Anderson [ Principal Musician] July 20, 1863 Promoted from private Company I, September 26, 1865; mustered out with Regiment, October 31, 1865
Henry W. Smith [ Principal Musician] July 15, 1863 Substitute; transferred to Company K, September 26, 1865

Source:Bates, Samuel P. History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865 , Harrisburg, 1868-1871.

*Sgt. Maj. Henry James

leads successful raid 100 miles into enemy territory.
March 7, 1865.

One very successful raid was commanded by Sgt. Major Henry James, Sgt.
Major James had been recruited in Lancaster, County PA and was considered
a natural leader and an outstanding soldier. The raiding force was made up
of thirty (30) members, sixteen (16) members of the 3rd U.S.C.I., six (6) members
of the 34th U.S.C.I., seven(7) colored civilians & scouts and one (1) member of
the 107th Ohio Vol. Infantry Regt. The force departed the night of March 7,
1865 and penetrated over one hundred miles into enemy country to their
objective which was, Marshall's Plantation, located on the Ocklawaha River.
The objective was to destroy a whiskey distilling operation, capture any
contraband equipment and or supplies that could help the enemy war effort.
They were also to bring back prisoners and freed slaves. During The raid they
reached their objective, took four prisoners, destroyed a whiskey distillery,
large amounts of whiskey, rice, 85 barrels sugar, 300 barrels of syrup and
captured two (2) wagons, twenty-five, (25) horses and mules. They also
brought away 95 freed slaves of all ages. A detachment of six (6) men were
sent to the Hawley Plantation nearby and were attacked by a small group of
local militia. After losing one (1) man shot dead, one (1) wounded and two
(2) captured, the detachment returned to the main body. Shortly thereafter
the group was attacked by a force of about fifty (50) mounted enemy who
ordered them to surrender. Sgt, Maj. James, not being the kind of person to
give up without a fight, decided to fight them a while. The enemy dismounted
and attacked the group, whom Sgt. Maj. James had positioned in a wood line
making use of trees as defensive positions. Following the charge, about twenty
(20) of the enemy lay on the ground dead or wounded. The rest high tailed it
for their horses.   Sgt. Maj. James then led his force in a charge using the
bayonet and clubbed muskets which scattered the rest of the enemy force.
The raiders had only two (2) men wounded but with only one day's head
start, they were pursued by the reinforced enemy for several miles, causing
them to loose one of the captured wagons and nine (9) of the horses while
making a river crossing. Some of the freed slaves that could not keep up
were overtaken by the enemy.   The rest of the group reached safety at St.
Augustine on March 12th with 74 freed slaves, 1 wagon, 6 horses, 9 mules
and 4 prisoners. The expedition had covered over 200 miles in five days.
The operation was carried out successfully with the loss of one (1) killed,
three (3) wounded and two (2) civilian scouts captured.

For his successful role in completing this daring raid, Sgt. Maj. Henry James
received an official commendation from the commanding general. An
operation of this importance was almost always commanded by a
commissioned officer.

Byron W. Childress

Below is General Order No. 42, commending Sgt./Maj. James and the members of the expedition.

GENERAL ORDERS No. 42. By command of Major General Q. A. Gilmore, Department of the South, Hilton Head, S.C.

GENERAL ORDERS No. 42.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., April 12, 1865.

On March 7, 1865, a party of colored soldiers and scouts, thirty in number, commanded by Sergt. Maj. Henry James, Third U.S. Colored Troops, left Jacksonville, Fla., and penetrated into the interior through Marion County. They rescued 91 Negroes from slavery, captured 4 white prisoners, 2 wagons, and 24 horses and mules; destroyed a sugar-mill and a distillery, which were used by the rebel Government, together with their stocks of sugar and liquor, and burned the bridge over the Ocklawaha River. When returning they were attacked by a band of over fifty cavalry, whom they defeated and drove off with a loss of more than thirty to the rebels. After a long and rapid march they arrived at Saint Augustine on March 12, having lost but 2 killed and 4 wounded. This expedition, planned and executed by colored men under the command of a colored non-commissioned officer, reflects great credit upon the brave participants and their leader. The major-general commanding thanks these courageous soldiers and scouts, and holds up their conduct to their comrades in arms as an example worthy of emulation.
By command of Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gilmore:

W. L. M. BURGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: Official Records

Battles and Expeditions

Battery Wagner

Battery Gregg

Charleston area expeditions

Expedition to Florida

Lake City, Florida

Camp Milton, Florida

Bryant’s Plantation, Florida

* Marshall's Plantation

By: Byron W. Childress

Florida and US Colored Troops

Major General Quincy A. Gilmore

General Truman A. Seymore

General Truman A. Seymore's Headquarters,
Jacksonville, Florida

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

1. On the road to Olustee leading up to the battle.

2. The Battle of Olustee.

3. US Colored Troop stand inspection in Jacksonville, Florida.

4. Us Colored Troops outside of Florida Hotel, Jacksonville, Florida

5. Fort Clinch, Fernandina, Florida. 3rd US Colored Infantry was cross trained as heavy artillerymen and manned shore batteries at Fort Clinch and other locations on the Florida coast.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

1. Confederate prisoners are paroled in Florida.

2. Provost Guard House, Jacksonville Florida, 1865.

3. Provost Marshall's office and Guard House in Tallahassee, Florida. Reverend Lewis M. Hobbs, (Chaplin, 3rd U.S.C.T.) was Provost Marshall in Tallahassee, Florida 1864 - 1865.

4. Former Slave Charity Stewart, Jacksonville, Florida, 1898.

5. Signal tower, Jacksonville, 1864.

6. Oath of Allegiance, 1865

1. 2.

1. Olustee Veterans dedicate Battlefield & Monument, 1912.

2. Olustee Veterans at Reunion and Battlefield Dedication, 1912

Reverend Lewis M. Hobbs
Chaplin 3rd US Colored Infantry

Reverend Lewis Merwin Hobbs

Founder of Millersville Academy 1854
Steward of Millersville Normal School
Chaplin 3rd US Colored Infantry, U.S.C.T., Civil War
Provost Marshall, Post of Tallahassee, Florida
Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of Florida 1866
Testified before U.S. Congress Sub-committee
February 1866Re: State of Education in Florida
Fund raiser for Freedman Normal Schools of Florida

Compliments of: Katherine Hawkins (Great Granddaughter) and Descendants of Reverend Lewis M. Hobbs

Camp William Penn was located at Chelten Hills, just North of Philadelphia, PA
in a area that is now called LaMott, PA, Cheltenham, Township.
The settlement that grew up around Camp William is now
a community with many family ties dating back to the
Civil War era and Camp William Penn.

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Lt. Col. Lewis Wagner
Camp Commandant
Camp William Penn

Rear view of Camp William Penn

Layout of Camp William Penn

U.S.C.T. UNITS ON PARADE AT CAMP WILLIAM PENN

26th U.S.C.T 32nd U.S.C.T.

Special Order No. 13
Visitors Pass for admission to Camp William Penn

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Photo courtesy of: The National Archives

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