3rd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 3rd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment 1st Mississippi Cavalry (African Descent)
Sgt. Samuel Smith, African-American soldier with family
Active	11 Mar. 1864 – 26 Jan. 1866
Country	United States
Allegiance	Union
Branch	Union Army
Type	Cavalry
Size	Regiment
Engagements	American Civil War Action at Bayou Boeuf (1863) Battle of Yazoo City (1864) Action at Roach's Plantation (1864) Yazoo City expedition (1864) Action near Jackson (1864) Action at Vaughan's Station (1864) Battle of Egypt Station (1864)
Commanders
Notable commanders	Embury D. Osband Jeremiah B. Cook

The 3rd United States Colored Cavalry was a special group of soldiers in the United States Army. They were part of the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. This group was first formed in October 1863 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. It was called the 1st Mississippi Cavalry Regiment (African Descent).

Soon after forming, the unit started going on missions near Vicksburg. In early 1864, they fought in a battle at Yazoo City. In March 1864, their name changed to the 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry. They kept going on raids, including one to Yazoo City in May. In December 1864, they joined a successful raid led by Benjamin Grierson. This raid included the Battle of Egypt Station and other fights. The regiment stayed near Memphis, Tennessee, until April 1865. Then they went back to Vicksburg for duties after the war. The soldiers finished their service in January 1866.

The 1st Mississippi Cavalry (African Descent)

How the Unit Started

When President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, he also asked for African-American soldiers to join the army. In total, 166 "colored" regiments were formed during the war. About 300,000 African-American soldiers served. These units included engineers, artillery, infantry, and cavalry. About 60 of these regiments actually fought in battles.

The 1st Mississippi Cavalry Regiment (African Descent) was created on October 9, 1863. This happened in Vicksburg, Mississippi. On October 10, 1863, Colonel Embury D. Osband became the leader of the regiment. Colonel Osband had been a captain in the 4th Illinois Cavalry Regiment.

The War Department created a special office called the Bureau for Colored Troops. This office chose white soldiers to become officers for the new colored regiments. However, the non-commissioned officers (like sergeants and corporals) were African-American. At first, some white officers didn't want to lead these regiments. But they soon saw that they could get promoted quickly. Many white soldiers then wanted to join. Colonel Osband even asked for his own list of officers. He wanted only experienced soldiers to lead. His request was approved. This was likely because his old unit had protected Major General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant suggested that Osband recruit soldiers from plantations near Vicksburg.

Early Missions and Battles

Control of the waterways allowed the Federals to easily move troops by boat. This photo shows steamboats tied up at Pittsburg Landing after the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862.

From its start until January 1864, the 1st Mississippi Cavalry (African Descent) was based at Goodrich Landing in Louisiana. Colonel Osband led a raid to Satartia, a village about 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Vicksburg. By November 1863, the regiment had 131 officers and men. They captured cotton and found more new soldiers.

In December, Osband took 125 men from the 1st Mississippi Cavalry (AD) and other soldiers across the Mississippi River. They rode inland and followed the Boeuf River. They captured 15 Confederate soldiers. That night, Osband's men set up guards. On December 13, over 100 Confederates attacked them. In the fight, Osband's group lost 7 killed and 33 wounded. One soldier killed and 15 wounded were from the 1st Mississippi (AD). Osband then pulled his troops back.

In January 1864, the 1st Mississippi Cavalry (AD) joined a larger group of U.S. Colored Troops. On January 31, 1864, 947 soldiers, including the 1st Mississippi Cavalry (AD), left Vicksburg. They traveled with gunboats and transport ships. They went up the Yazoo River. At Satartia, cavalry and infantry landed to push out Confederate soldiers. On February 3, Confederates fired artillery at them. Soldiers landed and fought with a Texas cavalry group. The fight was not clear who won. The Union side lost 6 killed and 21 wounded.

Two brave sergeants, Isaac Trendall and Washington Vincent, from the 1st Mississippi Cavalry (AD) carried a message. They traveled 60 miles (97 km) through Confederate land. They dressed as plantation workers and took four horses. They delivered the message to Vicksburg in just 10 hours.

Meanwhile, the Confederate cavalry left to fight William T. Sherman's army. The Union expedition took over Yazoo City on February 9, 1864. Five companies of the 1st Mississippi Cavalry (AD) joined them there. The Union force moved up the Yazoo River. On February 28, they returned to Yazoo City with 1,729 bales of cotton.

The Confederate cavalry returned and attacked a patrol of 43 troopers from the 1st Mississippi Cavalry (AD). They caused 18 casualties. Colonel Osband later found that five of his soldiers had been killed unfairly. On March 5, the Confederates attacked in the Battle of Yazoo City. The Union soldiers fought back, helped by two Union gunboats. The Confederates took back some cotton but then left. The Union side lost 183 soldiers in the whole mission. Thirteen were from the 1st Mississippi (AD). The Union expedition left Yazoo City the next day. They sailed downriver to Vicksburg with their cotton.

The 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry

Spring and Summer 1864 Missions

Civil War recruiting poster for black soldiers. Note that the officer is white.

The 1st Mississippi Cavalry (African Descent) changed its name. It became the 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment (3rd USCC) on March 11, 1864. This unit stayed in the Vicksburg area until December 1864. The 3rd USCC fought at Roach's Plantation, Mississippi, on March 30. A group was sent to Columbus, Kentucky, and fought there in April.

The regiment also joined a mission up the Yazoo River from April 19–23. They had a small fight at Mechanicsburg. The unit then joined a cavalry group in West Tennessee. They took part in the Yazoo City expedition from May 4–21. They fought at Benton and Yazoo City.

From July 2–10, 1864, the 3rd USCC went on a mission to the Pearl River. Their main goal was to destroy a railroad bridge near Jackson. Another goal was to distract Confederate forces. The 2,800-man group reached Jackson and destroyed the bridge. But the Union side lost 250 soldiers. Eight officers and men from the 3rd USCC were killed. On July 11, the group started back. They traveled by steamboat to Vicksburg, arriving on July 17.

On August 26, the 3rd USCC fought at Bayou Tensas in Louisiana. They also joined a mission from Goodrich Landing to Bayou Macon. On September 19, the Union commander at Natchez heard that Confederate cavalry was looking for food. Major Cook took command of the 3rd USCC. Colonel Osband ordered Cook and 330 troopers to go north from Vicksburg. They were to destroy Confederate supplies. On September 22, Cook's men chased 150 Confederate horsemen for 15 miles (24 km). They burned the plantation where they were staying. On September 23, the 3rd USCC found 300 cattle. They killed five and captured eight herders. About 100 cattle got away. The regiment returned to Vicksburg on September 26.

Fall and Winter 1864 Missions

Map shows the route of Grierson's 1864–1865 raid.

On September 29, 1864, Colonel Osband led 1,000 men. This included the 3rd USCC and other cavalry groups. They traveled by boat down the Mississippi River. They landed at Bruinsburg. After marching inland, they scattered a group of Confederate fighters. Osband's men took 13 people and 125 cattle. They then headed to Natchez.

On October 4, 1,200 cavalrymen boarded steamboats at Natchez. They went downstream to Tunica Bend. Osband led the troops inland to Woodville. They reached it on the evening of October 5. They captured some prisoners and supply wagons. A local black man told them about a Confederate camp nearby. Osband attacked from the front. The 3rd USCC captured three cannons. They forced the Confederates to retreat. The Union soldiers captured 41 Confederates. No Union soldiers were hurt. After burning the plantation, they returned to Natchez. They sailed to Vicksburg on October 9.

Major Edwin Main

The 3rd USCC and other cavalry groups operated in Mississippi from October 21–31, 1864. They killed only two Confederate fighters. But Osband reported that they took people and seized a lot of wood, bricks, horses, mules, sheep, and cattle. Osband also complained that the food given to the 3rd USCC was bad.

On November 23, Osband left Vicksburg with 2,200 cavalry and eight cannons. Their goal was to destroy a railroad bridge over the Big Black River. The 3rd USCC and another regiment crossed the river. They marched east to trick the Confederates. At dark, they made campfires but then quietly went back. They left guards and moved northeast. They reached Vaughan's Station on November 27. Osband sent the 3rd USCC under Major Cook to destroy the bridge. The troopers captured a small fort. They killed three defenders and had three men wounded. Then they set the bridge on fire and rode away. They didn't know that Confederates arrived soon after and put out the fire. After damaging parts of the railroad, Osband's group moved west to Yazoo City. They returned to Vicksburg on December 4. Major Cook was promoted to lieutenant colonel on November 27, 1864.

On December 21, 1864, General Benjamin Grierson led 3,500 cavalry from Memphis. Their goal was to damage the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. It was rainy, and many horses got tired. Grierson's group reached Egypt Station on December 28. During the Battle of Egypt Station, Osband's group helped another group. The 3rd USCC got behind the Confederate fort. By the time they were ready to attack, the 500 defenders surrendered.

Grierson's group marched west and then southwest. On January 1, 1865, Grierson sent Osband's group to destroy more railroad tracks. The 3rd USCC and another regiment destroyed 2.5 miles (4 km) of track and bridges. On January 2, near Franklin, Osband's group, with the 3rd USCC in front, met Confederate soldiers. The 3rd USCC was soon helped by other regiments. The fight lasted 90 minutes. Both sides then pulled back. Osband reported that one officer and three soldiers from the 3rd USCC were killed.

1865–1866: After the War

The 3rd USCC moved from Vicksburg to Memphis in January 1865. They were based in West Tennessee. On January 28, Osband and 2,621 cavalry landed and headed inland. The 3rd USCC was the largest unit, with 450 officers and men. The goal was to destroy Confederate supplies. In snow and ice storms, they reached Bastrop, Louisiana. Then they turned back to the Mississippi River. About 400 escaped slaves followed them. Osband said it was "the most tiring mission of my life." Eight soldiers from the 3rd USCC drowned. Twenty escaped slaves died from the cold.

The 3rd USCC worked in West Tennessee until April 1865. They took part in a mission from Memphis from April 23–26. Their goal was to catch guerilla fighters. One man they were looking for was caught and hanged. The regiment moved to Vicksburg from April 29 to May 1. They searched for Jefferson Davis (the president of the Confederacy) near Natchez. After the war ended, the regiment did duties to help keep order. The 3rd USCC officially finished its service on January 26, 1866.

Casualties

The 3rd USCC Regiment had soldiers killed, wounded, or missing in action. Here is a list of some of their losses: