Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-07-10
THE CoNTRABAND QUESTION

Gen. Butler and Gen. Phelps differ on the
contraband question, as might be expected, and
Gen. Butler has been obliged to refer the mat
ter to the government for definite decision.-
the facts are stated as follows The officer of
the day, June 10, Major Peck of the 10Th Con-
necticut regiment, represented to Gen. Phelps,
in his daily report, the condition of body Of
about 100 negroes, who had deserted, or been
deserted by, their masters. In accordance with
Gen. Buffers orders, they could not be admit
ted within the lines, and the women and chill
dren occupied deserted house Just outside the
lines. They had nothing TO eat but what the
soldiers gave them from their rations. The
baggage they brought with them was lying on
the levee, in everybody's way. Seventy-fve of
the number belonged to man named LeBanche
living little way down the river, and who, by
the negroes own account, gave them the choice
between fifty lashes apiece and taking them
selves off. So there they were, entirely unpro-
vided for, and not daring to go back for fear of
i'll treatment. Gen. Phelps therefore, wrote IL
dispatch TO the government, representing the
case, anG asking for instructions to guide him
in this and all future cases. He forwarded the
document to Gen. Butler, with a request to
have it sent to Washington, which he did ac-
companying it with the following communica-
ton -
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
NEW ORLEANS, June Is, 1862.
Hon. Elwin NJ Stanton, secretary of war
l.. 1 Il
received The accompanying report from Gen..
phclps 1t Is not my duty to enter into a dis
cussion oi the question which it presents. |
desire, however, to state the information given
me in reference to Mr.. LeBlanche, given me by
his ricu Is and neighbors, and also gathered
from Jack LeBlanche, his slave, who seems to
be the leader of this party of negroes. Mr..
LeBlanche | have not seen. lie, however,
claims 10 he loyal and 10 have taken no part in
the war, but to have been quietly on his panta-
ton, some twelve miles above New Orleans, on
the opposite side of the river. He has a son
in the secession army, whose uniform and equip
ments, &C., are the symbols of secession of
which Gen. Phelps speaks. Mr.. LeBlanche's
house was searched, by the order of Gen.
Phelps, for arms and contraband of war; and
his negbors say that his negroes were told
they were free il they would come to the gen
tIul Cdunp lHeIcupOu NlS ioNoi uhNSi
the lead of Jack, determined to leave, and for
that purpose crowded into o small hoat which,
from overlooking, was in danger of swapping.
LeBanche then told his negroes that il they
were determined to go they would be drowned,
and he would hire them larger boat to put
them across the river, and that they might
have their furniture if they would go and leave
his plantation and crop to ruin. They decided
to go, and Lel}lanche did all man could to
make that going safe. The account of Gen.
Phelps is the negro side of the story that
above given is the story of Mr.. LeBlanche'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.. LeBlanche is represented to be humane
man, end did not consent to the "exodus' OF
his negroes. Gen. Phelps, | believe, intends
making this test case for the policy OF the
government. | wish it might be so for the
diff.rence of our action upon this subject is
source of trouble. ! respect his honest slncer-
ity of opinion; but | am a soldier, bound TO
carry out the wishes of my government so long
as hold its commission, and | understand that
policy TO be the one / am pursuing. do not
feel at liberty to pursue any other. If the
policy of the government is nearly that which
| skelched in my report upon this subject, as
that which | have ordered in this department.
then the services of General Phelps are worse
than useless here. If the views set forth in
this report are to obtain then he is invaluable !
for his whole soul is in it, and he is good SOL
dier, of large experience, and no braver man
lives. beg to leave the whole question with
the president, with, perhaps, the needless assur-
ance that his wishes shall be Loyalty followed,
even if not in accordance with my own, as
now have no right to have any upon the subject.
write in haste, as the steamer Mississippi is
waiting this dispatch. Awaiting the earliest
possible instructions, have the honor to be
your most obedient servant.
BENZ f. BUTLER.