Confusion Under Fire

Confusion Under Fire. . By 3:00 p.m. the 7th New Hampshire deployed on the Union right flank, battling heavy fire from the Confederates. The regiment had earlier been ordered to exchange their Spencer repeating rifles for old, defective muskets; many of which did not even fire.

Colonel Hawley, in leading the 7th New Hampshire, either gave a wrong command or his command was misunderstood. The confusion caused the 7th to scatter and drift to the rear.

The 8th U.S. Colored Troops with no battle experience and little training were deployed on the Union left flank. They had less than one month's service and had never practiced firing their weapons. They were severely mauled at a railroad crossing east of Olustee. Of the 575 men in this troop, 310 were killed or wounded.

“Here they stood for two hours...under one of the most terrible fires I ever witnessed; and here, on the field of Olustee, was decided whether the colored man had the courage to stand without shelter, and risk the dangers of the battlefield; and when I tell you that they stood with a fire in front, on their flank...without flinching...I have no doubt as to the verdict of every man who has gratitude for the defenders of his country, white or black. , – Eighth U.S. Colonel Regimental Surgeon

Portrait photo: , Lt. Col. Loren Burritt , Commander of the 8th U.S. Colored Troops; , wounded at Olustee