Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-07-09
General Hunters Negro Regiment
Letter from the General TO the Sec
rotary of War.

Gemer0I hunters Negro regiment
Letter from the General 10 the Sec
rotary of War.
WASHINGTON July
The following correspondence was laid before
the House to-day, the reading of some parts of
which occasioned much merriment:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington City, July
Sin: On reference to the answer of this De
partment of the 18th ult to the resolution of the
House of Representatives of the 9th of last
month. calling for information respecting the or
ganization by General Hunter. of a regiment of
volunteers for the defense of the Union composed
of black men. fugitive slaves, &c, it will be seen
that the resolution had been referred TO that Off
Ger, with instructions To make an immediate re-
port thereon. have now the honor to transmit
herewith the copy OF a communication just re
ceived from Gen. Hunter, furnishing information
as TO his action touching the various matters in
Dictated in the resolution.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
Hon. G. A. Grow, Speaker oil the House OF Rep
resentatves.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SorTH,l
Port Royal, 5. c., June %.
Hon. (. NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War:
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge the re
cept of communication from the Adntant
General of the army, dated June l3 1862, re-
questing me to furnish YOU with the information
necessary TO answer certain esolutions introduced
in the House OF Representatives of June 9, 1862,
on motion of Hon. Mr.. Wicklifle, of Kentucky v,
their substance being to inquire
First. Whether had organized, or was organ
izing. regiment of fugitive slaves in this De-
pirtment
Second, Whether any authority had been given
to me from the War Department for such organi-
cation; and
Third, Whether | had been furnished, by
order of the War Department, with clothing,
uniforms. arms, equipments, &C., for such a
force?
OnIy having received the letter containing
these inquiries at a late hour on Saturday night,
urge forward my answer in time for the steam
er sailing to day Monday This taste pres ents
me from entering infinitely ! could wish
upon many points OF detail. such as the para
mount Importance of the subject calls for; but in
view OF the near termination of the present ses
sion of Congress and the wide spread interest
which must have been awakened by Mr.. Wick
iffe's resolution. | prefer sending even this i'm
perfect answer TO waiting the period necessary for
the collection of fuller and more comprehensive
data.
To the first question: therefore, reply that no
regiment OF fugitive slaves has been or is being,
organized in this department There is, howev
err, fine regiment OF persons whose late masters
are fugitive rebels, men who everywhere fiy
before the appearance of the national flag. leav-
ing their servants behind them 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 work
ing with remarkable industry to place them
selves in position to join in full and etfec
tive pursuit of their fuSacous and tratorous
proprietors.
To the second question / have the honor to
answer that the instructions given TO Brig. Gen
t. W She man BY the Hon. Simon Cameron
late Secretary of War, and turned over To me 10y
succession for my guidance, do distinctly author
ize me TO employ all loyal persons Offering theil
services in defense of the Union and for the sup
preston of this rebellion. in any manner might
see ut. or that the circumstances might call tor
There is no restriction to the character cooi
OF the persons to be employed. or the nature oil
the employment, whether civil military, il
which their services shall be used. | conclude
/ therefore, that have been authorized TO cnlis
J fugitive slaves as soldiers. could any such b,
found in this department No such characters
however. have yet appeared within the view o
our most advanced pckets, the loyal slayes
everywhere remaining on their plantations u
welcome US, aid u, and supply Us with food
labor, and information. lt - the masters whC
have in every instance been the fugitives, run
ming from the loyal slaves as well as from I'll,
loyal soldiers, and whom we have only partially
been able to see. chiefly their heats over ram
parts or. rife in hfnd. lodging behind trees il
the extreme distance. In the absence of an,
fugitive (masier) law. the deserted slaves woul1
be wholly without remedy. had not the crime o
treason given them the right to pursue. capture
aud bring back those persons OF whose protection
they have been thus suddenly befeit.
To the third interrogatory Il Is my painful du
~ to reply that have never received any speci
nc authority for issaes OF clothing. uniforms
arms equipments, &c, TO the people IN question
Nv general instructions from Mr.. Cameron q
/ employ them in any manner | might find neces
sary, aud the military exigencics of the Depart
ment being my only. but in my judgment snfii
cent Justification Neither have 1 had any speci
nc authority for supplying those persons Wit
shoyels. spades. and pickaxes. when employing
them a. laborets: with boats and oars when asni
them as lishtermen: bat these are not points ia
cludei in Mr.. Wickllfie's resolution.
To me Il seemed that the liberty 10 emplo
men In any particular capacity implied with
lIberS. also 10 supply them with the necessar
tools and acting upon this faith have clothed
equipped. and armed the only loyal regiment ye
raiSed in South Carolina.