Jeremiah Marion Mickley

“ Their ability, bravery and gentlemanly character, in the strictest sense, produced a happy effect upon the troop. When it is considered that in the face of threatenings of a merciless death by the Rebels, should the fortunes of war place them in their hands, and against a current of prejudice, extant almost everywhere, and the whispered doubts and fears even of friends to the cause, they assumed command of this troop in its experimental state, and led it on to victory; their high-toned and unselfish patriotism, in this respect, is only equaled by the bravery and gallantry of their services. ”

“ The presumptive judges, with their emissaries, who have forfeited this right to themselves, and are also culprits, blamable and guilty for any lack of such knowledge, in the case of this loyal race, entertain the doubt; and their weak faith cannot truly be shrouded in deeper uncertainty than that of every intelligent patriot, who contemplates the true exercise of the right of suffrage and representation by those whose hands are yet red with the blood of our noble slain. It is also said the liberated race, in their new relation, will not prove themselves industrious citizens. ”

“ Brevet Brigadier General Yeoman is an officer of ability and experience in the active service, who has greatly distinguished himself in action. He now carries the empty sleeve of his right arm as the unmistakable mark of his devotion and valor.
BREVET COL. H. SEYMOUR HALL.
Brevet Colonel H. Seymour Hall, formerly Lieutenant Colonel of this Regiment, and a native of Providence, Saratoga county New York, is the only son of a very patriotic widow. His grand-father, Moses Hall, was a soldier of the Revolution of 1776, and served his country during the entire period of that eventful struggle. ”

“ Now, however, by more than sixty thousand sons of Liberty, of African descent, than whom none other fought with greater gallantry, numbered with the patriot dead, and by the many thousand heroic survivors, whose maimed bodies and torn and tattered battle flags, tell how fields were won, what is enjoined on the Nation? ”

“ In this battle it would be difficult to enumerate particular cases of great bravery, where all seem to vie with each other in the brilliancy and gallantry of their achievements. Colored non-commissioned officers fearlessly took command after their commandants (white commissioned officers) were killed, or borne severely wounded from the field, and led on the attack to the close. As each brave color bearer was shot down, another and another would immediately grasp the National emblem, all riddled with balls, and plant it further on the enemies line. ”

“ Assistant Surgeon in charge of Baptist Church Hospital of Manchester, Va., after the occupation of Richmond and Manchester by our forces; and also Medical Officer in the Post Hospital of Brownsville, Texas. He was again Medical Officer in charge of this Regiment on its perilous ocean voyage to New York, and until its final discharge. In all the duties of his department in connection with this command, and the other positions to which he had been ordered, he manifested intelligence, ability and skill. As an officer and gentleman he is deserving of great esteem. ”

“ Major Horace Bumstead of this Regiment is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and a regular graduate of Yale College, having completed his course in that institution in 1863. He was a member of the Massachusetts Rifle Club, which has contributed quite a number of Field and Officers of other grades to our army during this war, who are known as worthy commanders, distinguished for their ability and bravery. In connection with this military organization he held the position of Sergeant, and was afterwards promoted to Major. Promotion could be secured only upon very creditable examination. ”

“ Captain Hall was appointed by the President Lieutenant Colonel of this Regiment, March 20th, 1864. After reporting at Camp William Penn, Philadelphia, he completed the organization of its 1st Battalion composed of the first six Companies, with which he joined the 9th Corps at Annapolis, Maryland, April 19th, 1864. He commanded it through all the engagements in the Wilderness; and in the memorable battle of the Mine before Petersburg, Virginia, July 30th, 1864, it was the charging Regiment which he led against the enemy's works. ”

“ With regard to his own gallantry in that terrible engagement, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 9th Corps, testifies: "Lieutenant Colonel H. Seymour Hall, Commanding 43d Regiment United States Colored Troops, lost his right arm while bravely leading his Regiment." Such was his anxiety that he reported again for duty to his Regiment when his wound was but partially healed. He was afterwards ordered to Camp Casey, Virginia, as Commander of that Recruiting Rendezvous and Chief Mustering Officer of the District of Columbia. ”

“ This fact alone forbids that any vestige of the former state of the oppression of this race should remain. It requires another positive duty. What are Freedmen without citizenship? Some doubt that they have sufficient knowledge to participate in this right. ”

“ He has served as A.A.A.G. at Headquarters of the 3d Brig. 1st Div. 25th Corps, and also at same Headquarters, as Acting Asst. Inspector General, up to date of order returning this Regt. for final muster-out and discharge. This officer remained in the active field service to the close of the war, although continuing to suffer very much by reason of his wounds, which were but partially healed and very painful. He has proved himself as brave as he is efficient.
The following are engagements in which he has participated, viz.: heavy skirmish at Rappahannock Bridge, March, 1862 ”