The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-05-22
Right Between the Eyes
From the New York Tribune

1 NSu. bdfiQ II uHl6f, CUIiuiaAuIE- tAS
Department of the South, having ascer-
| tanned that the Rebel authorities in his
department were impressing slaves, arm
ing them, and organizing them into bri-
gades, has issued the following important
order:
HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF THE SoUTH.
HILTON HEAD, S. c., May 9, 1862.
GENERAL ORDERS, No 11.-The three States
of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, COM
prising the Military Department of the South,
having deliberately declared themselves no
longer under the protection of the United
States of America, and having taken up arms
against the said United States, it became 4
military necessity to declare them under mar
tial law. This was accordingly done on the
25th day of April, 1862. Slavery and mar
tial law in free country are altogether in
compatible. The persons in these three
States. Georgia, Florida. and South Carolina,
heretofore held as sla-es, are therefore decla-
red free.
IOmciaLl DAVID HUNTER,
Maj. Gen. Commanding.
Ed. ". Smith, Acting Asst Adjt. Gen.
This Order, We understand, is based
upon explicit instructions to Gen. Hunter
to counteryail any attempt of his traitor
adversaries to use negroes against him by
the most obvious and efficient means
The instructions carried out by General
| Sherman would of themselves have justi-
fed this step. but we believe there are
others to the same purport, but more re-
cent and explicit.
Thus far, the Rebels have had full
years start of US in the employment of
'contrabands" in this war. Slaves and
free negroes have alike been compelled to
open roads, throw up entertainments, con-
struct Notifications, plant batteries, and
do all the fatigue duty OF the Var
Slaves have, of course, grown the food o.
the Rebels and produced the wherewithal
to buy all that they did not steal of their
arms and ammunition. Blacks have for
months been enlisted, mustered, organi-
Rebellion. Meantime, our side has al
most uniformly evinccd a strange reluc-
tance to avail itself of the services of this
species of force, which has led impartial
observers to conclude that we were not in
earnest, ard that, after a decent show of
resistance for forms sake, the Rebel Con-
federacy was to be acknowledged. Up to
this hour, the Rebels, as if thoroughly in
earnest, have welded against the Union
lists every weapon they could clutch :
while our side has seemed specially solic-
itous not to hurt the Rebels.
We judge this is now to end, at least
in Gen. Hunters department. That ma
jority of the People Of South Carolina
who have been steadily and are heartily
loyal is now relieved of all National obli-
CATION to be bought and sold, whipped and
padded, at the beck Of the most obstinate
and fagitous Rebels. If compelled to
serve these traitors any longer, it will not
be by authority nor under compulsion Of
the United States.
'sBut what good will this do?' it is
asked, "since the Rebel soldiery are be-
! tween us and the slaves, and viii not al
low them TO know what we propose to do
for them ~
1t will do this good, at least, Sir; it
will assure every negro in Gen Hunters 5
Department that ours is for him the side
! of Freedom-that, if he can only escape
from the Rebels and reach the lines of
our forces, his Slavery is ended. He will
no longer be puzzled nor confused by the
| living assertions of white scoundrels that
we are seeking to steal him and sell hln
! to Cuba or, if he is, it will not be our
fault. But the Rebel masters curses on
this order will convey its purport into
every household, and very soon nearly
every negro in the Department will know
| that "Liberty and Union are indeed
"one and inseparable." Many are SO be-
nighted, debased, hopeless, that they will
make no effort to escape frem their chains !;
but thousands will be on the alert TO gain
/ their freedom and a consciousness Of
this vii. distract the attention and para
/ lyze the arm of the Rebels. They must
fight us with one hand, using the other
to collar their bondmen.
At all events, this Order is a great fact.
1t indicates Progress. 1t points the way
to unity and victory. Revolutions take
no backward steps till their full circle is
accomplished And this internal rebel
lion, fomented and inaugurated in the in
terest of Slavery, and designed to insure
to that great wrong boundless aegrandize-
ment, security and sway, is destined, in the
Providence Of God, to work its utter
downfall and ruin.
New YORK, May 10.-The 7riJfme's
dispatch says it is confidently asserted that
the President has determined to modify
Gen. Hunters Order Of Fresdom, by re-
nuirinc him to conform to the1act OF Con
gress, passed at the extra session, by which
only the slaves actually employed III mill
tary service by the rebels are liberated.
There is reason to believe, however, that
whatever the inclination Of the Presidents