Here is more accounts and info from the time.
NEGRO REGIMENTS IN THE REBEL ARMY.–
Gen. Earl Van Dorn, CSA
“During the fight the battery in charge of the 85th Indiana [Volunteer Infantry] was attacked by [*in italics*] two rebel negro regiments. [*end italics*] Our artillerists double-shotted their guns and cut the black regiments to pieces, and brought their battery safely off. * * * * It has been stated, repeatedly, for two weeks past, that a large number, perhaps one-fourth, of Van Dorn’s force were [*in italics*] negro soldiers [*end italics*], and the statement is fully confirmed by this unfortunate engagement. The Southern rebels have forced their miserable negroes to take up arms, to destroy this Government, and enslave us and our children.”
THE FIRST AFRICAN SOLDIERS IN NASHVILLE – From the Nashville Union
Does anybody desire to know when the subject of enlisting African soldiers was first broached in Nashville? Does anybody desire to know what newspaper first puffed the enterprise? Does anybody desire to know which party first enjoyed the benefit of an African military alliance, and employed negroes in their military department? Be silent, oh inquisitive fellow citizens, and we will tell you. In a copy of that vehement and intense Southern Rights, Secession and fire-eating pro-Slavery journal, the Nashville Union and American, edited and published by J. O. Griffith, F. C. Dunnington, John C. Burch, Leon Trousdale, and Thomas S. Marr, dated April 25, 1861, we find the following editorial paragraph:
Newspapers below
“COLORED PATRIOTISM!”
“Everybody knows Bill Rawlings, the good-natured barber on Market street. His wife, Mary, is now engaged in making up uniforms for the troops. Her brother (Jim Dunge) is raising a company of free negroes to fight Lincoln’s men, and Bill says if anybody wil furnish him with a good leg, he can whip any ten Abolitionists, but even with one leg, he is willing to hobble out to the battle-field, if the Governor wants his services.”
So much for the first negro company in the Rock City. The editors of the Union and American, King Isham’s organ, were evidently chuckling over the prospect of seeing the bloods of the “Rock City Guards” followed by nigger Jim Dunge’s Rock City–Black Guards, all bearing the Stars and Bars, playing Dixie and huzzahing for King Isham and Jeff. Davis at the top of their lungs. They rather intimated that the African would do the best fighting, for while the white rebels could only whip five Abolitionists apiece, the black rebels could “whip any ten Abolitionists.” In fact, the rebel organ hints that a one-legged darkey could fight as well as any two-legged rebel. It is well-know [sic] that Governor Harris recently favored the enlistment of slaves as well as free negroes, in the rebel service, and the General Pillow coincided with him.”
“Indianapolis Daily Evening Gazette” for 31 August 1863:
NEGRO TROOPS IN REBELDOM–The Mobile Register says: “The negro is no longer an object of small talk in the South. The people of the South have a place for him, and that is in the army. There should be no distinction of color,” says the Register, “when a man is willing to fight for his home and master.”