[HOME] [MEMBERS] [EVENTS] [NEWS]
[LINKS] [PHOTOS] [GUEST BOOK] [MEDICAL CARE]
3rd US COLORED INFANTRY
HISTORY
3rd US Colored Infantry
Recruiting Poster
CAMP WILLIAM PENN
*Sgt. Maj. Henry James
of
the 3rd US Colored infantry Regiment
leads successful raid 10miles into enemy territory.
March 7, 1865.
Marshals
Plantation, Marion County, Florida
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.
