#OTD in 1864 the Saltville massacre takes place in Saltville, Virginia. After a day long battle over the local salt works, Confederate home guards and guerillas murder dozens of wounded Union Black and white soldiers, including some in a hospital at @emoryandhenry college.

The guerillas, led by notorious outlaw Champ Ferguson, waited until the battle was over and then wandered the battlefield targeting wounded Black US soldiers. After the war Ferguson was tried and convicted of murder and other war crimes, and was hanged. #CivilWar #Saltville

"I came upon a squad of Tennesseans, mad and excited to the highest degree. They were shooting every wounded Negro they could find. Hearing firing on other parts of the field, I knew the same awful work was going on all about me."

~ George Mosgrove, 4th Kentucky Cavalry