New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-07
Prom NORFOLK.
The Negro Question in The Army.
river.


Correspondence of1he ~ Y. Tribune.
NOAFoIK, Va, Aug l8C2.
Tie ". y Herald and its correspondents 70 the
contrary not outstanding, permit one who knows 70
sssure you that THE TRIEUSE IS read in tie army,
and that it's influence is being felt. Many times
have ] seen group Of officers or Of enlisted men
gathered about one of their number reading aloud
from THE TsiBrSE. The consequence is that the
great questions Of the ape-conEscaiion, with the
employment OF blacks in the Government service
aad Emancipation-have been thoroughly discussed
and have caused no little agitation in camp circles.
Candid persons, of all shades of opinion, read THE
TRIBUNE and hold il in respect fIr lis consistency
and high tone. For the entire want Of these charac-
teiistics do they cherish wholesome disgust for
yoar traitorcus cotemrorary.
Although ii has Leen sometimes asserted that there
were negroes in the Rebel ranks, yet do not be-
beve any other nee has been made Of them than
requirng them 70 dig and do camp drndgery. The
reason of such belief will be found in the significant
reply given me BY an intelligent mulattO woman, q
DAY or two since, TO the question-if she had ever
seen any black in the Rebel army. Said she,
with look of surprise No! the Secesh don't dacc
give arms 10 the coiored folks"
The truth il, the latter wholly devoted to the
Of tie Union, and for il they risk aud suffer
anything. Why Because they believe it 10 be
liar ca1se. Day after day, and by scores, have
heen cOntfaLands coming within lines, and
have been astOnished at the implicit confidence,
which, without an exception and in the face Of the
bugbear stuff which their owneIs have told them,
tha, tie Yankees would fay them alive or cut of
their cars, or send them TO Cuba they manifest in
the friendship OF Tho Northern soldiers.
Their interest l., ma ghoyy-n in a nd w.
1t is lot long since hat girl hero gave such inform
alton as led 10 the detection aud arrest Of two men
and woman who were starting for Richmond with
letters and valuable assortment Of medicines. An
ohicer, whose name could give, while in command
~ pioAet guard recently was made acquainted one
morning, by a slave, with the names Of several par
ties hvlng just outside our lines who, while they have
been allowed passes, have been doing all they could
10 give aio and comfort" 10 the enemy. On the
night oi the same day a free colored boy rode three
miles puFposely 10 iniOim the same officer where a
mall Tor Richmond was being made up. The guilty
individual proved 10 be one Of those whose names
were furnished in the Inonipo. and he bos sincs
been arrested, and letters, not only. I'm, trn,k
filled with packages OF tea coffee and other articles
puchssabc III Seccssia only at fabulous urces ye1e
found in lie keeping.
But will they, it may be asked, in addition 70 ,isk
ing life and limb in escaping from their masters in
breathing the malaria Of swamps by day. and in
travelling by ngbt-will the descendants Of
Ham, when it comes to the test, .EgH for and with
osl have put this question directly to many
young fellow with splendid, well-knit frame aud
mueular limbs, and nave, in nearly every instance
received an Affirmative response, amounting almost
70 easerness. Accustomed az they are 10 South.
EN- climate, hsbitusted TO obey, thriving upon the
hardest iare, conientod under circumstances which
TO an AngloSaxon would be torture--cheerful al
Ways OF iaeile mold, and quick in time aud tune,
asey possefs every element which, developed, en-
1sn INTO the composition of soldier more generally