Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-09-24
From the New orleans Delta.
CoLoRED VETERANS.

Mr.. Wilder, Of this city, is prosecuting, in Wash
ngtun city, the claims for bounty lands of the
survivors and heirs Of the deceased members Of the
two battnliOns of free men Of color that were or
ganizcd by Gen. jackson, in 1914, for the defence
Of this city, We have not the law by us, so as 10
give an opinion to the legality of this claim, but
provided its terms present no difficulty, the facts
will certainly establish the claims Of these veterans
Their services were brilliant and efficient. The
idea of organizing the free coored inhabitants Of
the State into military corps for the defence of the
State occurred 10 Gen jackson in September 1914
whilst he was stationed at Mobile, and before twas
definitely known that the British contemplated an
expedition to New Orleans. On the 2lst Of Sep
ember he issued proclamation to the free cOlored
inhabitants Of louisiana in which he asserts, that
through mistaken policy, they had been hereto
fore deprived of n participation in the glorious
struggle for national rights in which our country
was engaged, and that this should no longer exist.
llo proceeds:
AS sons of frccmon, you are now called upon to
defend our most inesimable blessing. As Amcri-
cans your country looks with confidence to her
adBhed children for valOrous support as faith
full return for the advantages enjoyed uuder her
mild and equitable government. As fathers, hus-
bands, and brothers. you are summoned to rally
around the standard Of the eagle to defend all that
is dear in existence.
Your country. although calling for your cxcr-
tons, does not wish you to engage in her cause
without amply rcmuneratng you for the services
rendered. To every nCble-hearted, generous free
man Of color volunteering to serve during the
present contest with Great Britain. and no longer
there will be paid the same bounty in money and
one hundred and sixty acres Of land. The non
commissioned officers and privatcs will also be
entitled to the same monthly pay and daily rations
and clothes furnished to any American soldiers
/ Under this authority, fine battalion Of free
cOlOrcd men was organized, numbering 900, the
command Of which was given to Major Lacostc
father of the present Gen. Iacoste, who accOmpa
MED his father during all the stirring of the
defence of the city. The chiefly fugitive,
from 81. Domingo, who had taken sides with the
French in the insurroctiph in that island and who
therefore felt the bitterest hostility against the
English, who had supplied munitions and incentives
to the insurgcnt slaves Of that island. Hence they
proved excellent soldiers, and were highly compli-
mcnted for their conduct on the ODD OF December,
and in the subsequent actions. Their position was
on the left of Plauchc's battalion. Subsequent to
the battle of the 23d, battalion of free col
ored men was organized by Captain Savary, n
veteran French soldier, who had served in the
French army with distinction, and had also been
distinguished for galantry in the bloody scenes of
the ST. Domingo revolution.
Such were the facts attending the organization of
these corps. There remain of them quite n number
of survivors. Our climate has been more indul-
gent TO the colored than its white residents, and
the colored veterans greatly Outnumber the white.
This was shown some years ago, when, ON the Sth
of January celebration, place was provided for
them in the programme of the day. We hope that
those faithful veterans, who some of our most
orderly respectable citizens, will receive the boun-
ties which Gen. jackson declared they would be
entitled entitled to.