The Saber and Scroll Journal Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2015 | Page 57

The 8th USCT carried two flags at the battle of Olustee: the national
colors and the regimental flag. The sergeant carrying the regimental flag “was hit
in his right hand by a ball which nearly tore off the hand. Rather than let the flag
fall, the sergeant calmly seized the staff with his left hand and retained possession
of the flag until he found a corporal to give the flag to for safekeeping.” 22 The
regimental colors were carried to the rear. Three color sergeants and five corporals
of the color guard fell saving their national colors. Lieutenant Lewis carried the
national colors to a battery on the left. A fragment of the regiment rallied around
the flag. The horses started to the rear but soon stopped. Enemy fire forced the men
to retreat, and in the confusion, the men unfortunately left the colors behind.
Captain Hamilton ordered Fribley’s body removed from the limber, so he could
move one of his guns. “He was placed about twenty-five feet to the right and rear
of my right piece, where I think he was left.” 23
Other regiments entered the battle, including the 54th Massachusetts
(another black troop). The battle lasted from three o’clock p.m. until dark. The
Union suffered heavy losses. The Confederates retreated at dark. The Union
carried their wounded to Baldwin or Barbour. Dr. Alex. P. Heickhold, Surgeon of
the 8th USCT,
was particular in collecting the colored troops who were wounded, and
placed them in his ambulance and pushed on for a place of safety. Some
one thought the white troops should be brought away also; but Dr. H.
said: ‘I know what will become of the white troops who fall into the
enemy’s possession, but I am not certain as to the fate of the colored
troop,’ and pushed with alacrity towards Baldwin. He also dressed the
wounds of all the Eighth that came into camp at Barbour, and a great
many others belonging to white regiments. It looked sad to see men
wounded coming into camp with their arms and equipment on, so great
was their endurance and so determined were they to defend themselves to
the death. I saw white troops that were not badly wounded, that had
thrown away everything. 24
General Seymour advised the Sanitary Corps to abandon the wounded; however,
they continued to transport wounded to the safety of railroad cars. Confederates
captured some of the wounded. A flag of truce brought news that all prisoners
were being treated alike; however, Confederate regiments killed many wounded
black soldiers:
A young officer was standing in the road in front of me and I asked him,
“What is the meaning of all this firing I hear going on.” His reply to me
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