Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-06-30


We see that some of our Republican exchanges
are attacking Mr.. VooRHEEs because he intro
duced into Congress a resolution of inquiry in
regard to the manner in which General BANKS
treated runaway negroes at the expense of his
wounded and suffering soldiers. The facts are
these. The following editorial article appeared
in the New Albany Ledger.of June 7th:
A Union man, a citizen of the Valley of Vir-
ginia, the scene of the recent conflicts, who was
compelled to abandon his home and accompany
the Union army on its retreat across the Potomac,
is now on a visit to some of his relatives in Har-
rison county. Having suffered much, and been
imprisoned more than once on account of his
Union sentiments, which he never attempted to
conceal, and being now an exile, he of course
feels exceedingly bitter toward the rebels, and
hopes for their speedy and thorough subjugation,
and the punishment of the leading traitors. One
circumstance occurred during Banks's retreat,
which he states caused much hard feeling, not
only among the loyal Virginians, but amongst
the Union soldiers also. The gentleman says
that in his retreat Gen. Banks furnished Govern
ment transportation for negroes who accompa-
MED our army, while the white people-men,
women and children-who were fleeing from
their homes, were compelled to walk; and he saw
stout negroes riding in Government wagons,
" DAAC oACa oh0 O0AlC oOAaACNo WCl0 alhIiE
Such things as this are calculated to produce
the most unhappy effect, not only upon the Union
people of the rebellious States, but upon our
own soldiers; and this gentleman states that the
Western troops, particularly, were greatly an
gered at seeing such Partially manifested for the
negro.
On this article Mr.. VooRHEEs based a resolu-
ton instructing the committee on the conduct
of the war; to inquire into the facts therein al
legged and report upon them.
Mr.. VOORHEES, is also justified in his course by
the following editorial article taken from the
Pittsburg Post on the same subject:
Many of the men were justly indignant at the
fresh trials they we're stbiect to by reason of this
stampede of ''contrabands." The wagons were
nearly all driven by colored teamsters and into
these vehicles the alarmed negroes crowded, while
the sick and worn out soldiers were compelled to
trudge along on foot. If they sought refuge in
the ambulances they were driven away by the
colored drivers only to see their places occupied
by the blacks soon after, or if they attempted to
| get in without permission from the drivers found
themselves kept out by those already in the We
hicles. The mules were also taken possession of
by the "cOlOred population" who rode along in
comfort and safety, sometimes obliging the jaded
animals to carry double.
Thus were our brave men compelled to make
this disastrous retreat, many of them in a debili-
tated condition, while stout, able bodied blacks
followed the armv quite at their ease. This re
port comes not from one, but from several, and
we only wonder that our soldiers restrained them
selves from laying violent hands upon the slaves
on being obliged to lag behind subject to the ten
der mercies of the enemy. Some who belonged
to Col. Buckley's, called as they say, the "aboli-
ton" regiment, declare they have had quite
enough of "contrabands."
In the course of the debate which occurred on
RICHARDSON of Illinois, whose high character for
veracity has never been questioned, said, Il have
heard this same charge made by soldiers"
Now, if with this evidence before the country,
the Abolition editors of Indiana think that no in
vestigation ought to be made they are welcome
to tell their readers SO. We do not think. how
ever, that any honest or sensible man will cen
sure Mr.. VOORHEES, on this subject, especially as
the 9th Indiana regiment was in that cruel en-
gagement and retreat.
If negroes have become the objects of tender
care on the part of an American officer than his
sick and wounded soldiers it is time it should be
known.
Of course if this or any other resolution had
been levelled at General MCCLELLAN or any
other Democrat it would have been instantly
acted on by this Abolition Congress and prompt
investigation made, but inasmuch as the General
whose conduct is to undergo examination is an
outright Abolitionist we expect to hear but little
if anything further of this matter.
We are assured that private letters from that
region confirm these reports and that the proof
can be produced in ample form if the committee
on the conduct of the war will enter upon the in
| rnrtinntfrn