Some More on the 27th USCT-- Part 4: That Officer Problem

Another problem for the 27th USCT, as well as other USCT regiments, was a chronic lack of officers.  Officers, of course had to be Whites.  Blacks could only rise to being sergeants.

Officers were not elected by the men as in other regiments, so when one was killed or no longer able to serve, they had to be found from somewhere else.  However, commanding or being an officer for a black regiment was getting ourself on the quick track of promotion.

The initial organization of the 27th was hindered by this lack of officers.  Thirty-five were needed, but by the end of February, there were only eight serving.  It was not until March 24, 1864, that Lt. Col. Albert M. Blackman arrived to take command of the regiment.

--Old B-Runner

Did Dr. A.M. Blackman Die in 1877?

From the December 1877 Literary Magazine  Ad from the Travelers Insurance Company.

"Dr. A.M. Blackman, Cresco, Iowa, , took out an  accident policy for $10,000, and a week after was thrown from his carriage and killed."

Good timing on Mr. Blackman's part.

He had commanded the 27th USCT Infantry Regiment during the Civil War and was at Fort Fisher.  The question still remains as to who the garrison of Fort Fisher surrendered to?

--Old B-Runner

Report of Gen. Terry on Capture of Fort Fisher and the 27th USCT

Major General Alfred H. Terry's official report of the battle, Jan. 25, 1865.

He directed General Paine (commander of the USCT troops):  "to send me  one of the strongest regoments of his own division.  These troops arrived at dusk and reported to General Ames.  At 6 o'clock Abbott's  brigade went into the fort.

"The regiment from Paine's division, the Twenty-seventh U.S. Colored Troops, Brevet Brigadier-General A. M. Blackman commanding, was brought up to the rear of the fort, wheren it remained under fire for some time and was then withdrawn."

Then, the 27th was highly regarded as a fighting unit.

Also, Terry reported that the 27th USCT was part of the Union troops sent against Battery Buchanan to force its surrender.

--Old B-Runner

Report of Albert M. Blackman at Fort Fisher-- Part 2: Received the Confederate Surrender

"In marching to the rear, I met Major General Terry who ordered me to proceed to his headquarters, and await further orders.  At a quarter before 10 o'clock I received orders to march to the fort.

"On arriving I was informed that the enemy had evacuated and was ordered to join in the pursuit, which order I promptly obeyed, and  on arriving at this place (Battery Buchanan) was first to receive the surrender of the enemy.

"The losses in my command  were 1 enlisted man killed and 4 wounded.

"After this fort (Battery Buchanan)  was taken, I was placed in command by Major General Terry in person."

(Sounds like there was quite a bit of confusuion among Union forces after they got inside Fort Fisher. So, did the garrison of Fort Fisher surrender to a black regiment?)

--Old B-Runner

Report of Albert M. Blackman at Fort Fisher-- Part 1

From Official Records War of the Rebellion page 425.

Report of Bvt. Brigadier General Albert M. Blackman, 27th USCT, 3rd Brigade, of operations January 15, 1865.

From Federal Point, Fort Buchanan, N.C., January 16, 1865 to Capt. C.A.  Carleton, Assistant Adjutant General.

"I received orders from Brigadier-General Paone about 7 o'clock last evening to proceed to Fort Fisher and report to General Ames.  (The 27th was in entrenchments opposite Sugar Loaf to the north of the fort.)  I proceeded as rapidly as possible, but on arriving at the bridge (at the west end of the land face) near the fort I found the way obstructed by troops.

"I ordered the men to lie down, and proceeded in person to General Ames within the fort and reported.  From him I received orders to retire beyond the range of sharpshooters, stack arms, and return with my men and proceed to the construction of covered ways to enter the fort."

(I'm not sure, but did this mean Ames wanted the 27th to be on a construction detail?)

--Old B-Runner

Lt. Col. Albert Blackman-- Part 2

A good name for a man who commanded black troops.

Civil War brevet brigadier general.  He was commissioned as a captain of Company H of the  21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry on April 23, 1861, mustering into service April 24, 1861.  He served with the regiment through the summer campaign in western Virginia before being mustered out August 12, 1861.

Shortlly thereafter, he  was commissioned a lieutenant colonel of the 49th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on August 17 1861, mustering into service three days later.  He served until he resigned his commission August 31, 1862.

He joined the Union  war effort once more with a commission as lieutenant colonel in the 27th U.S. Colored Infantry on March 24, 1864.

Promoted to colonel to date from September 1, 1864, he was breveted to brigadier general, U.S. Volunteers to date from October  27, 1864, for "gallant  and distinguished bravery at Hatcher's Run, Virginia."

He resigned his commission on May 16, 1865.

He later settled in Cresco, Iowa, and practiced medicine there.

--Old B-Runner

Lt. Col. Albert Milton Blackman, Cmdr. of 27th USCT

From Find-A-Grave.

He was the commander of the 27th USCT.

ALBERT MILTON BLACKMAN

BIRTH:  6 March 1826, Tiffin, Ohio

DEATH:  5 August 1876 (aged 50)  Cresco, Iowa

BURIAL:  Oak Lawn Cemetery, Cresco, Iowa

He graduated from RushMedical College in 1859 and was a physician before the war.

MARRIED:  Catherine Barbara Holtz Blackman  (1830-1905)  Married her in 1851.

--Old B-Runner