An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .gov A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A
lock (
) or https:// means you've safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Black troops were repeatedly cited for heroic conduct in battle and steadfastness under trying field conditions. On June 7, 1863, Milliken's Bend became one of the first such battles, and, in the words of Major General Ulysses S. Grant, was, "The first important engagement of the war in which colored troops were under fire."