The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-25
GEN HUNTER ON EMPLOYING FL
GITlVES.
PoRT ROYAL, June %, 1862.


To Edwin NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War:
Sr:-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of a communication from the adjutant
general of the army, dated June 1S62, re-
questing me to furnish You with the informa-
ton necessary to answer certain resolutions
introduced in the House of Representatives,
June 8, on motion of Hon Mr. Wickliffe Of
kentucky, their substance being to inquire:
ls., whether had organized or was organiz-
ing regiment of fugitive slaves in this de-
partment; I'd, whether any authority had
been given to me from the war department
with clothing, uniforms, arms, equip
ments, &C., for such force.
Only having received the letter covering
these inquiries at late hour Saturday night,
and being obliged to urge forward ny an
swer in time for the steamer sailing to-day
(MondayO this haste prevents me from enter
ing as minutely as could wish upon many
points of details, such as the paramount i'm
portance of the subject calls for. But in view
of the near termination of the present ses-
sion of Congress, and the widespread inter-
est which must have been awakened by Mr.
Wickliffe's resolution, prefer sending even
this imperfect 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, however, a fine regiment of persons whose
late masters are fugitive rebels-men who
everywhere fly before the appearance of the
national flag, leaving their servant behind
them to shift as best they can for themselves.
So far, indeed, are the loyal persons compos-
ing 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 position TO
join in full and effective pursuit Of their fuga-
ceous and traitorous proprietors.
To the second question l have the honor
/ TO answer, that the instructions given TO
Brigadier 7. ". Sherman by Hon Simon
Cameron, late secretary of war, turned over
, to me by succession for my guidance, do dis
tinctly authorize me to employ all loyal per-
sons offering their services in defense of the
Union and for the suppression of this rebell-
ion in any manner might see fit, or that the
circumstances mi ght call for. There is no
restriction as to character or color of the per-
sons to be employed,o or the nature Of the en-
ployment, whether civil Or military, in which
their services shall be used. | conclude,
therefore, that have been authorized To en-
list fugitive slaves as soldiers, could any such
be found in the department
No such characters, however, have yet ap-
peared within view of our most advanced
piekets, the loyal slaves everywhere remain
Ing on their plantations to welcome US, aid
US, and supply US with food, labor and infor-
nation. 1t is the masters who have n every
instance been the fugitives, running away
from loyal slaves as well as loyal soldiers,
and whom We have only partially been able
; TO see with their heads over ramparts, or II
fe in hand lodging behind trees in the ex-
treme distance.
In the absence Of every fugitive master-law,
the deserted slaves would be wholly without
remedy had not their time of treason given
the right TO pursue, capture 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 never have received any
specific authority for issues of clothing, uni-
forms, arms, equipments, etc, to the troops
in question, my general Instructions from Mr.
Cameron TO employ them in any manner |
might find it necessary in the military exi-
gencies of the department and the country
being my only, but in my judgment sufficient
justification.
Neither have hal any specific authority
for supplying those persons with shuvels,
spades and pick-axes, when employing them
! as laborerS, nor with boats and oars when
. using them as lightermen. But these are
not the points indicated in Mr. WieklitFe's re-
solution. To me it seemed that liberty to
employ men in any particular capacity, i'm
piled with it liberty also to supply them with
the necessary tools, and acting upon this fact
have clothed. equipped and armed the only
E loyal regiment vet raised in South Carroll
E na.
e must say. in vindicaiion of my own con-
e duct, that had If not been for the many othe,
diversified and imperative claims on my time
: and attention, a much more satisfactory re-
d suit might have been hoped for, and that il
r place of only one, as at present, at least fT,
= or six well-drilled, brave and thoroughly &C
4 elimated regiments should by this this tim,
have been added to the loyal forces of th.
e Union. The experiment of arming tn,
n blacks, SO far as / have made it, has been I
: complete and even marvellous success. The,
h are sober, docile, attentive and enthusiastic
e displaying great natural capacity for acquir
i Ing the duties of the soldier. They are eager
beyond all things, to take the field and b
T, led into action, and it is the unanimous opin
,e ion of the officers who have the charge o