Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-19

Governor Tod, published below, It viii be
seen that every facility will be offered to ]
colOred men in this State to enter the ranks.
They will receive all the pay, ~FatiOns, ETC., !
which white troops would do, and will
have no cause to complain Of unfair treat
ment. The following is the letter from the
Governor:
The STATE OF OHIO, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBUS, May l6, 1863.
JOHN NJ. LANGsToN, ESQ, PREsEET;-Re-
ferring to our conversation Of last evening,
I have now to repeat:
LIST. That the Government is desirous to
obtain all the eolored troops that can be
raised.
ID. That the pay, bounty, clothing and
terms Of enlistment will be the same for
colored troops as for white troops.
Sd. That authority has been given by the
Government to Governor Andrew, Of Mas
~sachusetts, to recruit colored men for the
Massachusetts, Brigade from all the loyal
States.
4th That, as it is uncertain what num-
Der Of colored men could be promptly
raised in Ohio, have advised, and still DO
advise, that those disposed to enter the SER
vice. promptly join the Massachusetts Reg
/ iments-thus securing to the Government
/ the services Of colored men much earlier
than If the attempt were made to get up
regiments in each loyal State. I--illE
Having requested the Government Of
Massachusetts to organize the cOlored men
from Ohio into separate companies, as lar
as practicable, and also to keep me fully
advised Of the number, with the name,
age, and place Of residence Of each, Ohio
will have the full benefits Of all enlist
ments from the State, and the recruits
themselves the benefit of State Association
to the same extent nearly, as if organized
into q State regiment. In addition to the
benefit before recited, 1 believe that the
State of Massachusetts pays an extra
bounty of $50 to each recruit who may
ioin the Massachusetts Brigade. No such
provision is made by the laws of Ohio.
lam glad to know that you are devoting
your best energies to the work Of raising
troops for this brigade, and trust your ef-
forts may prove highly successful.
Herewith I hand you copy Of a-letter 70
Governor Andrew on the subject in hand
also copy of 3 letter recently reeeivedf from
General D. Hunter, from Hilton Head,
highly commencing the conduct Of your
: couutrymen who are under his command
which you are at liberty to make such use
of as you may see proper. Yours, etc.
DAVID TOD, Governor.
The following is the letter from Genera
Hunter, referred to in the Governor:
letter:
e HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE souri,,
HmToE HEAD, PoRT ROYAL, S. C.,
NAV Ttn. lsLi. }"
4 To his EreeIaacy, the Governor Of Ohio
n Columbus, Ohio :-GOvEREoR: Under
standing that several regiments Of coloreC
i soldiers are being raised under your au,
e thority, I would request if consisten
with your views, that application should
be made by you to the Secretary Of War
to have such regiment, on their compile
e ton, sent to this Department for services
if I am very happy to be able to an
nounoe to you my complete and emnen
q satisfaction with the results Of the organ
=. %ization Of negro regiments in this Depart
> ment. In the field, 30 far as tried, the.
have proved brave, active, enduring AM
d energetic, frequently out-running by thei
q zeal and familiarity with the Southern
country, the restrictions deemed pruden
by certain Of their officers.
% They have never disgraced their uni
r forms by pillage or cruelty, but have s
conducted themselves upon the whole, tina
even u enemies, though more anxious t
II find fault with these than any other poT
d ton of our troops, have not been able t
1t allege against them a single violation Of In
~ rules of civilized warfare.
These regiments are hardy, generous
temperate, patient, strictly obedient, pos
g. sesssing great natural aptitude for arm'
is and deeply imbued with that religion
10 sentiment-call it fansticism, such as like
: which made the soldiers Of Cromwell II
3 vincible. They believe that now is tn
t. time appointed by God for their deliver
re ance, and under the heroic Indictment {
i this faith, I believe them capable Of show
ing a courage and persistency Of purpOs
y which must in the end extOrt both victor
h and admiration. In this connection, l al
also happy to announce that the prejudice
of certain Of our white soldiers an
officers 10 these indispensable allies ar
nt rapidly softening or fading out, and this
we have now opening before us in thi
ne department. which was the first in th
., present war TO inaugurate the experimeI
- Of employing colored troops, large oppol
tunities Of putting them to distinguish
n and profitable use.
er With q brigade of liberated slaves a
i ready in the field, a few more regimen
of intelligent colored men from the Mort
ID would soon place this force in q conditio
r to make extensive excursions upon Il
mainland through the more densely pop
lated slave regions, and from expedition
of this character, I make no doubt II
Sc most beneficial results would arise.
, have the honor to be, Governor, vel
respectfully, your obedient servant
D. HUNTER,
Major General Commanding.