The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-07-12
NEGRO TROUBLES IN GEN. PHELPS
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NEGRO TROUBLES IN GEN. PHELPS
4 LIME. |
Larqe Numbers of Contra5and. Sent to tie Union
Gamp-General Buffers Letter to Secretary
Stanton Concerning them.
Correspondence Of the New York Herald
NEW ORLEANS, La, June Is, 1862.
Just as the Mississippi was about leaving this
patch from Brig. Gen. Phelps, with the request
that he would forward it to the Government at
Washington. The steamer was detained in con.
sequence, until Gen. Butler could prepare dis
patch in relation to the communication from
Gen. Phelps. to send with it to Wsshington.-
The Mississippi, therefore, did not leave until a
little after twelve o'clock. .a
The dispatch of Gen. Phelps was, Of course
on the negro question. The following report Of
Major Peck, Of the 18th Connecticut regiment
to Gen. Phelps, will give on excellent idea Of
the negro troubles in Gen. Phelps lines:
CAMP PARAPEr, Carroliton, June 10, 1862.
General j. W. Phelps:
SIR-In addition to the regular "post guard
report" of this date returned to your headquar
tiers, beg leave to call your attention to the
large and constantly increasing numbers OF
blacks who have congregated near the upper
picket station, on the river road. I learn thai
twenty four hours ago they numbered about
seventy-fve. The officer of the guard reports
to me this morning that the number has increas
ed to one hundred and fifty or more. The frs
instalment were sent by a man named Ii
Blanche, from the other side of the river in
boats, on the night of the 18th, he giving then
The choice, according to their statement, of
leaving before shutdown or receiving fifty lashes
oooh Monu ~ fhaoo Io,iro 70 81 -,
masters, out are prevented by fear of harsh
treatment They are Of all ages and physical
conditions-a number of infants in arms, MANY
young children, robust men and women, aad q
large number of old and infrm of both sexes.
The rest Of them came in singly and in small
parties, from various points up the river, within
q hundred miles
They brought with them boxes, bedding and
luggage of all sorts, which lie strewn upon the
levee and the open spaces around the picket.
The women and children and some feeble ones
who needed shelter were permitted to occupy a
deserted house just outside the lines. They are
quite destitute of provisions, many having eat
en- nothing for days except what our soldiers
have given them from their own rations.
In accordance with orders already issued, the
guard was instructed to permit none of them to
enter the lines.
As each officer of the day will be called upon
successfully to deal with the matter, take the
liberty to suggest whether some further regula-
ton in reference to these unfortunate persons ia
not necessary to enable him to do his duty intel.
igent!y, as we'll as for the very apparent addi-
tional reasons that the congregation of such
large numbers in our immediate vicinity affords
inviting opportunities for mischief to ourselves,
and also unless supplied with the means of sus-
tanning life by the benevoence of military au-
thorities, or of the citizens (Which is scarcely
they must shortly be reduced to
suffering and starvation in the very sight of the
overfowing storehouses Of the government
am, sir, your obedient servant
FRANK Fl. PECK,
Major 18th Reg ment Connecticut Vols, Field
Officer of the day.
On receiving the above communication, Gen.
Phelps determined to write to the Government,
urging the emancipation of such negroes as
should apply to him for protection. 1t is we'll
that he has done so; for it has become necessary
that some decided policy should be indicated;
for there has been good deal of trouble, and
the citizens here look upon Camp Parapet as a
"city of refuge" for runaway blacks
The following dispatch from Gen. Butler gives
the version of the story as related by number
Of respectable gentlemen, neighbors of Mr.. LIE
Blanche, and shows the Generals intention of
obeying to the letter any instructions of his
Government, no matter how repugnant they
may possibly be to his own feelings.
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,)
NEW ORLEANS, June Is, 1852.
To Hon. e. N. Stanton, Secretary of War
SIR-Since my last despatch was written l
have received the accompanying report from
General Phelps
1t is not my duty to enter into a discussion of
the questions which it presents.
l desire, however, to state the information
given me in reference to Mr. LIE Blanche, given
me by his friends and neighbours and also gath
cred from Jack lie Blanche, his slave, who seems
to be the leader of this party of negroes.
Mr.. LIE Blanche have not seen. He, howev-
er, claims to be loyal and to have taken no part
IN the war, but to have been quietly on his plan.
tation, some twelve miles above New Orleans,
On the opposite side of the river. He has son
IN the secession army, whose uniform and equip
nents, &c, are the symbols of secession of which
General Phelps speaks. Mr.. LIE Blancne's house
vas searched, by the order of General Phelps
or arms and contraband of war and his neigh.
oors cay that his negroes were told they were
tree If they would come to the Generals camp
.uat tnereupOn the negroes, under the lead of
Jack. determined to leave, for that purpose
crowded into small boat which, from overload.
ng, was in danger of swamping. ..., .
LIE Blanche then told his negroes tina. If they
we're determined to 60 they would be drowned,
md he would hire them larger boat to put
hem scross the river, and that they might have
heir furniture if they would 60 and lesye his
plantation and crop to ruin. They decided to
%, and LIE Blanche did all man could to make
hat going safe. The account of Gen. Phelps
8 the negro side of the story; that above given
3 the story of Mr.. LIE Blanche's neighbors,
ZONE OF whom l know to be loyal men.
An order against negroes being allowed in
lamp is the reason that they are outside.
Mr. LIE Blanche is represented to be humane
nan, and did not consent to the "exodus" of his
legroes General Phelps, believe, intends
making this test case for the policy of the Gov.
'rnnent wish it might be 80; for the differ.
nee of our action upon this subject is source
# trouble. ,-
respect his honest sincerity of opinion but
am soldier, bound to carry out the wishes of
ny Government SO long as hold its commits
ION, and understand that policy to be the one
am nuronsno ID MT SaoI -