The 3rd US Colored Cavalry Engage in Mississippi Skirmish Jan 2, 1865

An enlistment card from the Compiled Service Record

Aleck Atley, 3rd US Colored Cavalry

Source:  National Archives microfilm publication M1817. 

Compiled military service records of volunteer Union soldiers

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In late 1864 into early 1865 Franklin Mississippi was at the center of a confrontation near Franklin Creek Mississippi. One of the units involved was the 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry. This unit was originally organized from the 3rd Mississippi Cavalry of African Descent, and was later re-designated as the 3rd U. S. Colored Cavalry. They were mustered into service in March of 1864, and would serve in until mustered out  in January of 1866.  (Source: Dyer's Compendium of the War of the Rebellion)

A description of the battle and the events involving the 3rd Cavalry US Colored troops were recorded by Col. Embury Osband, commanding officer of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade.  They are recorded in the official records and are presented here.

        

The description of the military movements was extensive and I am only including the parts involving the 3rd US Colored Cavalry. Full description of the report by Col Embury Osmand can be found here.

 He then described how the men of the 3rd Cavalry engaged the enemy forces:

Now dismounted, the men of the 3rd Cavalry along with other Union soldiers of the 11th Illinois Cavalry, a white regiment joined forces. According to his report, members of the 3rd, US Colored, were able to repulse the enemy coming from another side.                     

                                

        

 The battle, though not a major one in the context of the entire war, was significant and fortunately the injuries and loss of life were not large in this particular incident.

 Source of data used for this report came from: The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 - Volume 45 (Part I). The book is also digitized and can be found here.