The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-07-15
Trouble About the Contrabands.

A lats arrival from New Orleans broogbi
despatch from General Phelps with regsrd
to the disposition to be made Of runaway ne
groes. The officer Of the day, Major Peck, cf
the 18th Connecticut Regiment, represented,
on June 18th, to General Phelps, in his daily
report, the condition of body of about one
hundred and fifty negroes, who had deserted
or been deserted by their masters.
"In accordance with General Buffers or
ders, they could not be admitted within the
lines, and the women and children occupied
deserted house just outside the lines. They
had nothing to eat but what The soldien gave
them from their ratiops. The baggage they
brought with them was living on the levee in
everybody's way. Seventy five Of the mum
Der belonged TO q map named Le Blanche, liv.
ing tile way down the river, and who, by
the negroes own account, gave them the
choice between fifty lasires apiece and taking
themselves of. So there they were, entirely
unprovided for, and not daring to 60 back for
fear Of III treatment. General Phelps there
fore wrote dispatch to the Government, rep.
resentipg the case, and asking for instructions
to guide him in this and all future cases."
General Phelps forwarded the document to
General Butler, with request to have it sent
to Washington, which be did, accompanying
1t with the following communication:
HFApeYAETEns DEYr OF THE CUR,
New Orleans, June l6, go.
Hon. e. M. Stanton, Secretary Of Wor::
SIR: Since my last despatch was written I
have received the accompanying report from
General Phelps.
Itis not my duty to enter into discussion
Of the question which it presents. I desire,
however, to state the information given me in
reference to Mr.. lie Blanche by bis friends
and nsighbors, and also gathered from Jack
LIE blanche, his slave, who seems to be the
leader Of this party Of negroes.
Mr.. LIE Blanche have not seen. He, how.
ever, claims TO be loyal and 10 have taken no
part in the war, but to have been qnietly liv.
ing on his plantation, som twelve miles above
New Orleans, on the opposite side of the riv-
or. He has son in the secession army, whose
uniform and equipments, DC, are the symbols
Of secession Of which General Phelps speaks.
Mr.. lie Blanche's house was aesrcbed by the
order OF General Phelps for arms and contra.
band Of war; and his neighbors say that his
negroes were told they were free il they would
come to the Generals camp; that thereupon
the negroes, under the lead OF Jack, deter
mined to leave, and for that purpose crowded
into small boat, which, from overlooking,
was in danger Of swamping. LIZ Blanche
then told his negroes that il they were deter
mined to 60 they would be drowned, and he
would hire them larger boat to put then
across the river, and that they might have
their furniture if they would 90 and leave his
plantation and crop to ruin. They decided to
GO. and LIE Blanche did all a man could TO
make that going safe. The account of Gene
.al Phelps is the negro side Of The story; tha,
above given is the story Of Mr.. LIE Blanche's
neighbors, some Of whom know to be loyal
men.
An order against negroes being allowed in
camp is the reason that they are outside.
Mr.. LIE Blanche is represented to be a hu
name ran, and did not consent to the "exo
dus" OF his negroes. General Phelps, be-
Iieve, Intends making this a test case for the
policy Of the Government. l wish it might
be so; for the difference Of our action upon
this subject is a source Of trouble. respect
his honest sincerity Of opinion; but am a
'oldier, bound to carry out the wishes of my
Government 80 long as hold its commission
and understand that policy to be the one
am pursuing. LIDO not feel at liberty to pur
'ue any other. II the policy Of the Govern
ment 10 nearly that which sketched in my
report upon this subject as that which l have
ordered in this department, then the services
IF General Phelps are worse than useless here |
II the views set forth in this report are To ob
ain, then he is inval ,able: for his whole soul
s in it, aud he is good soldier, Of large ex
,erence, and no drawer man lives 1
beg TO leave the whole question with the
President, with, perhaps. the needless as'u-
'ance that his wishes shall be Loyalty follow
ID, even IL not in accordance with my own, as
have now 20 right to haye any upon the
ulject.
write in haste, as the steamer Mississippi |
$ waiting this despatch. Awaiting the ear
iest possible instructions, / have the honor to |
,e your most obedient servant,
BENZ. F. BUTLER.