23rd USCT 160th Anniversary of Their First Skirmish
May 15, 2024, will mark the 160th anniversary of the first skirmish of African American soldiers in action against the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. This action was during General Ulysses Grant’s Overland Campaign, which began eleven months of action that ended with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House. The first two battles were fought on two of the battlefields in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park - Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House.
During the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, the 23rd Regiment USCT was at Chancellorsville, guarding wagon trains on May 15th, 1864, when the 2nd Ohio Cavalry asked for assistance. General Thomas Rosser’s Confederate Cavalry Brigade attacked them. General Edward Ferrero marched the 23rd at the double quick to the intersection, now known as the Catharpin and Old Plank Roads intersection. They formed a battle line, fired on the Confederate army, and drove them away. They became the first African American soldiers to fight in “directed combat” against the Army of Northern Virginia. The white soldiers of the 2nd Ohio cheered them, now they knew that these Black soldiers would fight against the Confederates.
May 19th, 1864, General Ambrose Burnside commanded the IX Army Corps. The 4th Division of the corps, the African American division, will fight in another skirmish against Rosser’s Cavalry. His cavalry probed the Union lines closer to Fredericksburg, General Ferrero ordered his entire division to attack. Once again, they drove away the Confederates. There were few casualties in the two skirmishes. General Ferrero issued reports on each of the engagements.
Here is an excerpt of the first report that is included in the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion:
“HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Miller’s House, on Plank Road east of Alrich’s, May 15, 1864
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that at 12:30 p. m. this day
The Second Ohio cavalry, stationed at Piney Branch Church, were compelled to fall back, being attacked by superior forces, consisting of one brigade of cavalry, with two pieces of artillery. I immediately ordered the Fourth Division in readiness and marched the Twenty-third U. S. Colored Troops to support the cavalry. On arriving at Alrich’s, on the plank road, I found the Second Ohio driven across the road, and the enemy occupying the cross-roads. I ordered the colored regiment to advance on the enemy in line of battle, which they did, and drove the enemy in perfect rout. Not being able to pursue with infantry, the Second Ohio formed and gave chase to Piney Branch Church, which they (the Second Ohio) now occupy.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDW. FERRERO Brigadier-General, Commanding.”
The 23rd USCT has a Virginia State Marker in commemoration of their skirmish at the entrance to the Sawhill Development on Catharpin Road in Spotsylvania County. They have an exhibit at the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center and an exhibit panel on the Spotsylvania County African American History Trail. A picture of the 23rd is on the mural at the Spotsylvania County Supervisors meeting room. Fredericksburg has just put a new panel on its Civil Rights Trail, which features the 23rd USCT living historians for recreating the 1871 historic multiracial procession to the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. The Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail is now a part of the United States Civil War Trail.