Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-09
III ORNING HEADER
GendIllan of Dc Contrabanas-FesIlnE z

-N
GSndilIon Of the Coutrabands-FeeIing Re-
EardinE Aiming them.
The following letter is from a well
known clergyman Of Northern Ohio, now
engaged in superintendent Of the blacks
about Corinth. His statements may be re-
lied upon as correct:
CoRIsTH, MISSISSIPPI, April %, 1863.
Ems. LEADER The question that is excit-
fnr especial interest in this department is
that Of arming the colored people. And
that interest Is not confined to one class
but all classes-in the army and out ofthe
army. Union men and seeesslonlsts are
interested in this question. With the army
and with Union men this interest assumes
almost & uniform type-that Of approval
and hearty good cheer in the enterprise.
In this respect the sentiments Of the ar
nv have undergone q very great change
within q short time past. At least at the
present time one meets with very little but
cordial approval. In mingling freely with
the army, and in frequent conversation
on this subject l have not heard the first
breath, IS yet, Of disapprovsl. On the 9th
or hand, Ihave met with numerous per
sons who have said they came here with
strong preiudices against the cOlored man,
and with strong feelings against giving
him bis freedom. But that BoW they are
not only willing that the slaves should be
free-thev cordially desire it. In no one
rsspeet ha0s M expectations been more de-
eeiUed than IN reference 10 ths undniHiy Of
this sentiment 1 have not found the first
man in the army who sympathiZes with
the Butternutism of the North. On the
other hand, there is an intense feeling
sgainst-one that in due time will mani
festitsef with apOWer.
$50 Ehave said that all classes are interested
in this question Of arming the negro. The
seoessionists are feeling a deep interest in
this question. They know that it is to give
q death blow to slavery aud the rebellion
and they tremble for the Consequences
Just around us it is known that AdjUtant
General Thomas has authorized the raising
Of as many colored regiments as possible.
And they sos Aad f5ur the effects of this
- order on both slavery and the rebellion
As a consequence, o STAKEHOLDER lust out
side the lines at Corinth, who has pretend
ed 10 be a Union man, but whose sons are
III in the rebel army, attempted ~
away with his slaves, down South, this
morning. But word came to the authori-
tieshere, and they sent out and took the
slaves and brought them to our camp,
N&A@ ~ 49, NV 1@4 800 eN1
to q 60 on his way" I think without " re-
joicing." Be assured that rebels and their
symPsthizers feel a melancholy interest ia
this question Of arming the slaves.
There Is still another class who W. the
deepest interest in this question. And
these are the freedmen themselves. At
this place the work of enrolling them for
soldiers has already begun with energy.
We have the honor here Of raising thefirst
company Of colOred troops within General
Grants division. These have been drilling
for three months, and they go through the
manual of drill with much credit to them
selves. But it was not until a few days
past that efforts we're made to raise a reg
iment. Several war meetings have been
held within the last three weeks, at which
there we're addresses made by army Off
GERS, and the eolored people themselves.
Such a meeting was held last evening at
our unpretending log church. And al
though I have attended many war meet
ings in Northern Ohio, 1 must say that
this was the most enthusiastic one l have
ever attended. Among other speakers
was a black man Of about forty years, who
has been all his life a slave until within a
fey months. His speech was received with
q perfect Juror Of excitement. It would
ave done any patriot and freedom born
good to have heard it. Although most of
the sble-bodied men had before been en-
rolled, yet there were fOrty-fOur who vol
unteered last evening. And it was thought
there was scarcely an able-bodied man
present who did not volunteer. There are
already about 500 enrolled here for a regi-
ment, and it is expected that it will soon
be full. You may rest assured that color
ed troops will make good soldiers.
From an old reader, A. D. O..