Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1862-07-25

casioneG much merriment:
WAR DEPARTMENT, !
AsHlNaToN CITY, Dc,
July 2, 1852.
SIRF On reference to the answer of
this D9artment, of the 18th ult, to the
resolution OF the House of Representa-
tives OF the 9th Of last month, calling
| for Information respecting the organiza-
ton By Hunter, Of the Department
| of fo1iaa, Of regiment Of
composed Of black men-fugitive slave" "
lit will be seen that the resolution had
been referred to that officer, with in
structions to make immediate report
thereon. / have now the honor to
transmit herewith the copy of COM
munication just received from Gen.
Hunter, furnishing information as to
his action touching the various matters
indicated in the resolution.
| have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
EDWIN NJ. STANTON, Sec'y of War.
Hon q. A. Grow, Speaker Ell. of r.
HHAbe'R RS DEPT OF THE SOUTH, J
PoRT ROYAL, s. c.,
June %, 1862.
Hon. 3. II. Stanton, Secretary Of Var,
Washingtoa, D. G.
SIR have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt Of a Communication
froan The Adjutant General of the army,
dated June %, 1862, requesting me to
furnish you with the information neces-
sary to answer certain resolutions in
trodueed into the House of Representa-
tives June 9, 1862, on motion of Hon.
Mr.. Wicklife of Kentucky, their sub
stance being to inquire
81. Whether I had organized, or teas
organizing regiment Of fugitive slaves
in this Department.
''2 Whether any authority had been
given to me from the War Department
for such organization; and
"3. Whether I had been furnished by
order Of the War Department with
clothiag, uniforms, arms, equipments,
&c, for such force.
Only having received tie letter cover
ing these inquiries at late hour Satur-
day night, l urge forward my answer
in time for the steamer sailing to-day
(Monday,) this haste preventing me
from entering as minutely as could
wish upon many points of detail, such
as the paramount Importance Of the
subject calls for. But in view of the
near tsrmiratien Of the present session
of ConeSess, ard the widespread IN
terest which must have been awakened
by Mr., Aiekliffe's resolution. | prefer
sending even this imperfect answer, to
waiting the period necessary for the
collection of fuller and more compre-
hensive data.
70 the first question, therefore, l re-
ply that no regiment Of fugitive slaves
has been, OF is being organized il this
Department There is, however, a fine
regiment Of persons whose late masters
are ''fugitive rebels" men who every
where fly before the appearance of ahe
National flag, leaving their servants be-
hind the4u to shift as best they can for
themselves. So far, indeed, are the
loyal persons composing this regiment
from seeking to avoid the presence OF
their late owners, that they are now,
one and all, working with remarkable
industry to place themselves in posi-
ton to join in full and effective pursuit
of their tagaeioas and traitorous rroprie-
tors.
! To the second question | have the
honor to answer that the Instructions
given to Brig Gen. L. W. Sherman by
Hon. Simon Cameron, late Secretary of
War, and turned over to me by success
sion for my guidance, do distinctly au-
thorize lie to employ all loyal persons
offering their service in defense Of the
Union, and for the suppression of this
rebellion in any manner l might see ut,
or that the circumstances might call for
There is no restriction as to the eharac-
ter or color of tie persons to be en-
ployed, OF the nature of the employ
ment, whether civil or military, in
which their services shall be used. /
conclude, therefore, that | have been
authorized to enlist fugitive slaves as
soldiers, could any such be found in the
De par tDiGu6. AO SuCu CndlaoeCioj hoW
ever, have yet appeared within view OF
our most advanced pickets, the loyal
slaves everywhere remaining on their
plantations, to welcome us, aid US, and
supply ps with food, labor and infor-
matioa. It is the masters who have, in
every instance, been the fugitives, run
ming away from loyal slaves as we'll as
L. ho,,, how Il,
partially been able to see, chiefly with
their heads over ramparts; or, rife in
hand, lodging behind trees in tie ex-
treme distance.
+! In the absence Of any fugitive master
law, the deserted slaves would be wholly
without remedy, had not their time of
treason given the right to pursue, cap
ture and bring back these persons, of
whose protection they have been thus
suddenly bereft.
To the third interrogatory it is my
painful duty to reply, that have never
received any specific authority for is
sues of clothing, uniforms, arms, equip
ments, &C., to the troops in question:
My general instructions from Mr..
Cameron, to employ them in any man
ner l might find necessary, and the
military e1igencies of the Department
aud the country being my only, but in
my judgment sufficient, Justification
Neither have | had any specific author
/ ity for supplying those persons with
shoyels, spades, and piekaxes, when en-
ploying them as laborers, nor with boats
and cars when using them as lighter
| Ar Wfnl liHa rarot,,finn No