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11:46 A.M. When the Twenty-ninth came within 25 paces, a musket volley tore into their ranks. The discharge cut down men in their tracks and killed the color-bearer. Immediately, another Texan picked up the colors and continued the charge. Meanwhile, greenhorn cannon-drivers dismounted and sought protection behind the First Kansas' battle line. Capt. Smith watched from horseback; "the firing was terrific"9 while his men lay on the ground behind the black soldiers. The regiment's next volley killed the second color bearer along with troops who had rallied around him. Again, a Texan raised the colors and the confederates continued to advance. Sgt. Andrew Jones, Co. D, observed the rebels as they charged through the high grass. He moved quickly behind his company and reminded his men to "aim deliberately and below the waist."10 |
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11:42 A.M. With Col. Williams out of action, the regiment's advance stalled. Then, without any warning, the Fifth and Twenty-ninth Texas stormed out of the cornfield and timber. As the Twentieth Texas advanced from the front, Texans on the flank tried to intimidate the black soldiers. They shouted rebel yells, cursed the soldiers and screamed racial insults. The coordinated attacks threatened to overwhelm the black regiment, which was suddenly without clear-cut leadership. The Texans' offensive placed both Napoleons, positioned "in rear of the "6 black troops at risk. |
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When the Twentieth Texas attempted a breakthrough, musket fire decimated their ranks at the edge of creek road. The black troops' accuracy and rate of fire compelled Bass' men to quickly return to the timber. On the flank, irate Texans charged the black troops as if chasing "a retreating foe."7 Meanwhile, regimental command shifted to the right side when Lieut. Col. Bowles took over for Williams. For a short time, three companies near Bowles could not fire. The Texans' rush on the flank caught skirmishers "in the brush between us and the enemy."8 Bowles ordered them out of the way. As the skirmishers fell back, black troops formed angles in their line to maximize fire on the Twenty-ninth Texas. |
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The next volley struck the Twenty-ninth with deadly results. It killed their third color bearer and thrust them back in confusion and disorder. To escape the onslaught, the Twenty-ninth withdrew and left its flag on the field as a trophy to the black troops' "well-directed musketry."11 11:55 A.M. The Fifth Texas had made its advance in a wide looping arch. While moving into position, they watched in shock as the First Kansas cut down the Twenty-ninth Texas. When skirmishers opened fire on their flank, they knew their charge could not succeed. Now in danger of losing contact with the main body, the Fifth Texas started an orderly retreat toward Elk Creek. To shield and cover their withdrawal, small groups of men stopped and exchanged fire with the First Kansas. However, the slow pace made them sitting ducks for the black troops. Volley after volley reduced their ranks until the retreat became general. Each volley created a long line of smoke and flame. Then, a loud blast echoed across the ravine that sounded like a small cannon. As the Texans ran toward the creek, some tripped over dead troops and horses killed earlier and now concealed by high grass. In the same area Twenty-ninth Texas men lost their lives, many Fifth Texas troops had a similar fate. The skirmishers started back across the prairie and one carried off the colors black troops shot down three times. Col. Bowles refused to let his men break ranks and get the flag. He told them "the matter could be righted here-after."12 Despite Bowles' assurances, black troops knew only a General of the Army could get the flag back for them. They also knew rebel cannon was their main target. Capturing them could produce a victory and secure their survival for another day. |
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6 Smith to Judson, July 19, 1863, Official Records, i, XXII, Pt. 1, p. 454. 7 Ibid, p. 450. 8 Ibid, p. 450. 9 Ibid, p. 454. 10 Ibid, p. 449. 11 Bowles to Judson, July 20, 1863, Official Records, i, XXII, Pt. 1, p. 450. 12 Ibid, p. 450. |
