Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-06-30
The Black regiment in Cuba.

The plan recently adopted in Cuba, of enlistng
black and muatto soldiers, is likely TO prove unsuc-
cessfu if not an entire failure. The fellows are too
obstreperous and will be controlled. The intel
lgent Havana correspondent of the Charleston Cour-
Ter under date OF June 10, relates events of re-
cent occurrence, which go far to sustain this state
ment
In the early part of the last week, of these
black soldiers had congregated in drinking shop
without the walls, where they were engaged IN krlnk
ing and making use of obscene language, in fact
creating disturbance A white policeman passing
went in and ordered them to disist. They question
ell the poceman's authority and still greater dis
turbanCe ensued, until at length one OF the black
soldiers drew knife, whereupon the policeman in
seIf-defence drew his sword, and with 1T inflicted
severe wound upon the black soldiers neck OF which
wound he has since died.
| On Thursday morning last, 1Chlte drayman was
discharging load at the Custom House, and his
| draw being placed near the wall prevented che OF
the black soldiers from passing He rudely ordered
| the draYman to remove his dray. The man taxing
of his hat said civy he would do so as soon as he
had DISCHARGED his load But this would not suffice
for the black soldier and he forthwith uttered tor
rent of abuse at the white man, declaring he was as
utite nOc the Others and that the day should De
Instantly removed An othcer OF the black soidIer
approached and desired him to deslst-but without
effect and crowd gathered with looks of aslonls
ment at the negroes audacty. but no man dare IN,
terfere Eventually the officer forced the negro and
| the white drayman into the guard room lhen 1t
will be seen, that already tneSe Ddck solueFs luCy
themselves equal to white men nor can 1t be eXpec-
ted to be otherwise when 1t is remembered that they
! have been taken from the most worthless OF their
| abandoned fellows, accustomed to pass Inc
days and nights in drinking gambling and COCK hgn-
| ing. Their sergeants and corporals too are to be
blacks and mulatos. How such creatures are to be
drilled into discipline know not.
The writer is confident that, should occasion come,
these Spanish black soldiers Will be found utterly
uncomfortable in the hour of battle and that they VIII
either turn their back to the foe and run away, or
fight with savage ferocity, and being without disclp-
line will be no match for regularly drilled white
troops report is circulation that In consequence
of their bad conduct, it is in contemplation to take
from them their uniform. This, however, will only
degrade, but not render them less brutal.
MILITARY COMPANIES reply to the false state
mentS against the Irish Military Companies, IN me
Brooklyn Evening Star, J. c. Smith, Colonel oil the
! l4h Regiment writes to that journal to say tnat
those charges were investigated by board OF the
field and staff officers, and he adds: {" am autho-
rized as chairman of that meeting 10 say that after
full examination of that matter, and after hearing inc
explanation OF all parties, was the unanimous opn-
ion of the officers of the l4th Regiment then present.
that there had been neglect of duty nor Wll'ui
disobedience of orders by either of the companIes-r
| Shield Guards and Company c. Emmett Guards-on
the occasion alluded to in your article and that noun
ing had occurred which should lead the othcers OF
this regiment or the public to distrust the hdeiy OF
said companies or their readiness TO support IN ao OF
the civil authorities"
rooyor ort yoct has determined to kill hall the