Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-12-26

where, that arguments drawn from phys
ology or from history, are of little value
1t is "A question of fact, to be tested by
trial. Put the negroes, then, where they
can be tested. Let them know they are
defending their own rights, and working
for themselves, their wives and children
and homes-for soil from which they
can draw their daily bread, and also for
a place among the people of the earth.
Anything that bears on this question
of fact, is now worth more than all the
historical argument that the world can
furnish. The results OF Gen. Bu,ler's
negro regiments are looked TO with much
interest, as tending to settle this, one of
tho great problems of the war--Wbat
shall be done with the negroes
An intelligent member of the 9Th YER
mont at Algiers, in private letter, gives
some facts which bear on this subject
They will be read with interest, and not
less since they are confirmed by others.
Writing Oct. 3lst he says: "The Sec
ond Louisiana Native Guards came
over from the city to-day, and have gone
up the road Would you like to know
how this regiment is differed Innder-
stood through Adjutant Prouty, who
started from Vermont corporal in Co.
G, that the Colonel was New York
man, living at the time the war broke
on, near New Orleans, and owned some
200 slaves. lie was o Union man and
was threatened and at last dressed in
the garb of destitute woman, got
chance to escape TO the North. The 1t
Col. was lieutenant 10 one of the Mas
sachuse.ts regiments. The Major was
a merchant on Canal street, New York,
man of black blood, yet OF very white
complexion. All the captains and lieu
tenants, except one lieutenant, are OF
black bIood-still they are bully look
ing set. | believe they will do better ex-
ecution than we can in hunting guerrl-
las in the cane aad swamps. They can
live on harder fare, understand the coun-
try better, ard know where to look for
their game. They are receiving high
honors and praise in this their first IN
dertaking.
Yesterday our boys, with the LIST It..
(colored) took several prisoners. Some
they let go, others they keep, and some
the negroes shot. A story is current that
three men were taken by our boys, bro't
to Col. Thomas who questioned them
and let them 90 with passes TO cross the
lines, and that some of the negroes who
heard the examination, followed them
beyond the pickets and shot them. Con
iederaie money and some papers were
found in their boots, which proved that
they were not las they had pretended
strong Union men, any how. The pick
cts also brought in man which Colonel
Thomas recognized as one he had let off
once. A plan Of the railroad was found
about him, with the number of men at
The several stations, Notifications, &c
Also papers showing he had taken the
oath of allegiance. He was rebel spy,
and will probably have to swing"
As showing the temper of these negro
oldier3 we willquote few sentences from
the same writer's account of them in the
recent expedition up the Opelousas rail
road. The 1st La, (negro) and the Sth
Vermont composed the force
"At Bayou Des Allemands the boys
felt sure that they should have some fan
but they saw only the confederate pickets
who were careful TO keep good dis
tance ahead. The negro boys were all
excited they would surely fire upon
man if there was the least chance OF hit
ting him--they were perfectly desperate.
They took one prisoner who proved to |
be citizen. At the Bayou they found +
the houses burned. and also a large rail-
road bridge which they had burned Cnce
before, and which was rebuilt by our
men soon after we came here. Here the
train had to stop, but the 'contrabands'
were not TO be defeated thus.
Across the broken and burning timbers
they scampered. and the officers only sue.
ceeded in bringing them back after they
had collected quantity of geese, hens,
ducks, &c, for supper. understand
that they also shot two or three white men
supposed to be rebels They are not
quite so particular TO stop and ask one if
he is a Union man. If they find a white
man, they take it for granted he must be
a rebel. They are more than half right
too, | believe"
These statements may indicate the
want of discipline, but not, surely, the
want of material for good soldiers.