Daily union appeal. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-186?, 1862-08-19

in this direction would probably accomplish
more towards speedy termination Of the war,
and an early restoration of peace and amity,
than any other course which could be adopted.
have the honor to remain, sir very respect-
fully, your obedient servant.
j. w. PHELPs, Brig. Gen.
HEADovARTERs, DEPR'r. OF THE CUR,
NEW ORLEANS, July 81, 1852.
GENERAL-The general commanding wishes
you to employ the contrabands in and about
your camp IN cutting down all the trees, &C.,
between your lines and the lake and in form
ing ahattis according to the plan agreed upon
between you aud Lieut. Weitzel when he Wis
tied you some time since. What wood is not
used by you is much needed in this city. For
this purpose | have ordered the qusrternaaster
to furnish you with axes, also, tents for the con-.
srabands to be Quarlered in.
By order of Major General BUTLER.
Il. s. DAVIS, Captain and A. A. A. G.
HEADQUARTERS DEPR'T. OF THE CUR,
NEW ORLEANS, July 2l, 1862.
Captain r. S. Davis, Acting Assistant Adju-
tant General; al -
SIE-The communication from your Office,
Of this date, signed By order, Major General
Butler" directing me to employ the contra.
bands IN and about my camp in cutting down
all the trees between my lines and the lake
&c, has just been received Inireply, / must
state that while 1 am willing to prepare Afri-
can regiments for the defense of the govern
ment against its ssssilants, lam not willing to
become the mere slave driver which you pro-
pose having no qualifications in that way. |
am, therefore, under the necessity of rendering
the resignation of my commission as an officer
Of the army of the United States, and respect
fully request a leave of absence until it is ac-
cepted, in accordance with paragraph 20, page
IL, of the general regulation. While l am
writing, at half past eight o'clock, z. NJ, col
ored man is brought in by one of the pickets,
who has Just been wouRded in the side by one
of q party of three hare hunters or guerrilias,
mile or more from our line of sentlnels. AS
it is some distance from the camp to the lake,
the party of wood choppers which you have
directed will probably noed considerable
force to guard them against similar attacks
j. w. PHELPs, Brigader General.
HEADQRs. DEPARTMENT OF TIE GULF,
= s- NEW ORLEAas, August 2, 1852
GENERAL: By the act of Congress, as
understand it, the President of the United
States alone has the authority to employ Afri-
cans in arms as part of the military forces
of the United States i
Every law up to this time raising volunteer
or militia forces, has been opposed to their
employment. The President mas not as yet
indicsted his purpose TO employ the Africans
in arms.
The arms, clothing and camp equipage
which have here for the Louisiana volun-
teers are, by the letter of the Secretary of
War, expressly limited to white soldiers so
that have no authority to direct them, how
ever much may desire so to do
do not think you are empowered to organ
iae into companies negroes, and drill them as
military organization, as / am Unexpectedly
informed you have done. / cannot sanction
this course of action as at present advised,
especially when we have need of the services
of the blacks who are being sheltered upon the
outskirts of your camp, as you will see by the
orders for their employment sent you by the
Assistant Adiutant General. .
send your application to the President
but, in the meantime, you must desist from
the formation Of any negro military organizes
ton. BENZ. T. BUTLEk,
~ Maj. Gen. Comdg.
Brig. Gen. Phelps, commanding forces al
Camp Parapet. gcefe e rIaal.
who is Major scott:
From the True Delta, August q
A gentleman up town, who, the other day
missed his boy, learned that the lad was al
Carrollton. He repaired to the headqusr.
! ters of Gen. Phelps, and stated his case--thai
| he was in search of runaway negro. " YOU
| AnfO AOss h0f0 yOh opeCIacd VIZ
General, inquiringly and dryly. !" Yes sir,
responded the other. "Veey we'll" said the
General" the negroes are over yonder; il
your boy is over there he can go with you, il
! he wishes" The gentleman asked further
that a guide might be sent with him, as be die
not know the roads and paths. "Certainly,'
said the General. "Orderly, call Major Scott
Presently the Major presented himself, and
the General instructed him to conduct the
gentleman to the negre camp and assist him
in finding his " boy, }" and to say to the boy
that he had his {the Generally permission tc
return to his master. Thereupon the Major
spoke" General, am the boy the gentleman
| is in search OF. l do not want to return
TAis is all can do observed the General
The droll part of this incident ia, that the
General was ignorant OF the TACT that the gen.
tleman was SCOTS master. The major hA:
! hitherto been known in darkey circles as 9
! great orator, is now known as " Major Scott
/ of the Blackguards." Queer things ihave
1 come out of secession. 4aa 81
! slaves as Soldiers Against their Masters
| y f,ll ~