Report from Brig. Gen. Jno. P. Hatch
Commanding Officer,
U.S. Forces, District of Florida.
on
the engagement at Olustee, Florida,
concerning Union wounded and dead.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Jacksonville, Fla., September 25, 1864.
Maj. Gen. E. A. HITCHCOCK,
Commissioner for Exchange of Prisoners:
GENERAL: Soon after the battle of Olustee, in Florida, a list of wounded and
prisoners in the hands of the enemy was forwarded to our lines by the
commander of the rebel army. The very small number of colored prisoners
attracted immediate attention, as it was well known that the number left
wounded on the field was large.
It is now known that the most of the wounded colored men were murdered on
the field. These outrages were perpetrated, so far as I can ascertain, by
the Georgia regulars and the Georgia volunteers in Colquitt's brigade.
As many of these troops are now in our hands as prisoners, an investigation
of circumstances might easily be made.
All accounts represent the Florida troops as not engaged in the murders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
| JNO. P. HATCH,
Brigadier-General, Commanding. |
Copied from The Official Records of the War of Rebellion.
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