The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-10-11
Employment of Negroes for War Purposes.


Employment of Negroes for War Purposes.
Historical notes of the employmeats of ne
groes in the american army Of the Rero-
lution-by George Moore.
This pamphlet is timely appeal to the peo-
pie Of this country. Its now nearly CEN
fury since the commencement of our revolu-
ton. Then as now, what place should be oc-
cupied by the Africans and their descendants,
was question of Importance and it APP
pears to have engaged the attention of the
leaders of that great movement Then as now,
the stealing Of coored men from Africa, for
sale as slaves, was condemned by all thought
ful and religious men, on grounds moral, eco
nomical and religions; but then as now, the
temptation of sudden wealth was stronger
than the sense OF justice, or the restraints of
morals and religion. And at that time as well
as the present, the importance of this portion
of our population, both as resource to our
selves, and an aid TO our enemies, was fully
appreciated.
The first publication on this subject, noticed
In this pamphlet, is that of the celebrated DIR.
Hopkins, man equally noted for the SINGER
ity Of his faith, and the purity of his morals.
As early as 1776, he recommended that they
should be emancipated as an act of justice, and
their aid to our cause be sought as act of
policy. He advised then what is now done
by the Presidents late proclamation. Had
this advice been followed there can be no
doubt that the war would have been shorter,
fewer lives lost, and the contest less expensive
than 1t was. But the large shareholders OPP
posed this scheme, and the people yielded.
The country was unwilling to offend these
men, and for the sake of retaining the doubt
full fidelity of one they refused the active aid
ofhundreds.
The only questions which could then arise
as to the policy of conciliating the Africans,
were, FIRST, were they willing to aid us and
second, would they make an effective force,
either in fighting in the ranks, or as spies and
informers?
That they would in large numbers proffer
their services on the promise of mere person
al freedom, no one can doubt. Freedom is a
gift which every slave hopes ard signs for
for, and for this alone they will break all other
ties We will not argue question, which no
one will doubt.
That they would furnish an effective force
there Is we think, as little doubt. On this
point the pamphlet furnishes us with nu-
mcrous evidences. As early as 1779. Gen.
Hamlinton wrote to Mr.. Jay, President of
Congress, urging the enrolling of Africans in
the army, and gave it as his opinion that they
would make as effective soldiers as white men.
They would learn their discipline as quick,
and would be as brave. This opinion was con-
firmed by the whole experience of the war,
but by no single event more emphatically than
by the Rhode Island regiment In what has
been termed by competent judges the best
fought battle in this war, that in Rhode Island
Aug. 20, 1776, this regiment, then recently
raised, repealed desperate attack, three times
repeated of an overwhelming force of Hes
slams, and maintained their reputation for
bravery and discipline to the end of the war
If the Africans would be useful as soldiers.
serving in the ranks, they would be much
more so as medium of obtaining information
OF the force and movements of the enemy
As late as 1888, after the conclusion of the
war, an act was passed by the Legislature of
South Carolina, giving freedom to the wife
and child of slave of Gov. Rutledge. who
had been employed by him as a spy, and this
was considered as reasonable reward for in
formation communicated by the slave at the
risk of his life
The Presidents Proclamation will, if car
red into effect in its spirit, with vigor and en-
ergy, prove the death blow to rebellion. Ev-
cry slave that seeks our protection takes an
effective man from the rebels, and adds one to
our own force, and it is known that the better
the slave so much is he more ready to escape
from the tender mercies of his master. He is
therefore equal TO two men enlisted at the
North. 1t would be hard if out of three and
half million of slaves we could not increase
our force by 100000 men. We should UNI
doubtedly increase it much more. This would
be equal to double that number enlisted at
the North. And that it will have this effect
We may safely infer from the exclanations and
screams OF rage and terror from the South, and
from the opposition of the Northern sympa-
thizers with the rebellion. Those who have
always been in favor Of vigorous prosecution
of the war, and of bringing it to an early
close, only complain that this Proclamation
has been too long delayed. -