The Saltville Massacre: A Tale of Courage and Cruelty

Stories of Appalachia

This week on the Stories podcast, we tell of the harrowing events of the first Battle of Saltville and its tragic aftermath. Join Steve Gilly and Rod Mullins as they recount the significance of Saltville's salt mines during the Civil War, a resource as valuable as gold for preserving food.
We also shed light on a lesser-known but profoundly impactful event involving the brave soldiers of the Fifth US Colored Cavalry. These newly formed African American troops, composed mainly of formerly enslaved men, faced not only the enemy but also prejudice and abuse from their own ranks. Despite these challenges, their courage during the battle earned them respect and admiration.
What happened to them and their commanders after the battle, however, was harrowing, in an event that’s come to be known as the Saltville massacre.
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