Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-04-30

0L5lc
this evening or tomorrow morning. Fri
day evenings paper will appear as usual
What shall be the Color OF our substirutes
SAdjutant General Thomas mas freely 81
forth the policy of the Government regard
ing the enlisting Of cOlOred troops Ev
ery facility viii be afforded to those VII,
desire to enter the service and they will
be placed upon the same footing as white
soldiers, in every respect. Having this
purpose established, it is now the question
whether black men shall go into the army
as substitutes for white men, or white men
as substitutes for blacks. Since the war
begun we have been acting upon the latter
principle We have wanted soldiers but
have refused to enlist colored troops
hence white men were taken as substi-
tutes. Another accession to the army is
needed. Who shall fill the vacancies
white men or cOlOred Upon the former
has been hitherto laid the burden as well
as the glory. 1t is time to give the latter
chance at both. They have been eager
for the opportunity now they have it and
it is for the interest of both classes that
We urge them into the ranks. Men must
be raised the blacks are men and will
fill the bill. If they fail, whites must do
it.
We appeal to the colored men to show by
the most conclusive of all proofs, that they
are possessed of manly qualities enough
to do what is at once their duty and their
privilege. The opportunity is as good as
they will eAer find. The regiments that
are being raised in Massachusetts are to
be well equipped and have superior Off
GERS. Col. Shaw, Of he 54th, is an old
officer Of the War, having been in the Dist
Massachusetts. The other officers are ex-
perienced and reliable. Col. Shaw says
that he asks only six weeks to put his reg
iment in condition to march through New
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, and
then to meet the foe, and he will be will
ing to take the verdict Of either Northern
or Southern juries as to their appearance
and fighting qualities.
It is gratifying to know that the enlist
ments throughout the Northern States are
progressing satisfactorily. Almost every |
day sees the departure of fresh squad
for the rendezvous.
Curious DeveIOp.;,epts of the Conduct of
The ponderous volumes which make up
the records Of the Committee on the con-
duct of the war, record some strange facts,
and in after years will be read with amaze
ment. Among other matters Investigated
was the facility with which the rebels OBJ
tanned such accurate information regard
ing the intended secrets of the Federal
army. General Butler testified that eleven
days before General Banks left New York
for New Orleans, it was known by the Sc
sesh of that city that he was coming ex-
pressly 10 supercede Butler, and bets of
/" one hundred to ten was made that such
would be the case. Another officer testified
that on the day when the steamer Pensa- /
cola was to go down thePotomac the rebels |
on the Virginia side shouted to our piokets,
Z" The Pensacola is coming down tonight, |
isn't sbe2 Damn her, we are ready for her. !
We have got your countersign-Chippe- |
way" The pickets had not at this time re-
eeived the oountersign, but it was after
wards found that the rebels were correct.
General Butler was asked if he had any
means of knowing why he was superseded.
BE replied that he had no knowledge. He |
had asked everybody he had seen at Wash
ingtOn what he was removed for, and no
body had been able to tell him.
Some curious developments were made |
as to the prevalence Of drunkenness in the
army. General Butler said that when he |
was at Fortress Monroe the picket guard
would go Outin the morning sober, but in
variably come home drunk, in spite Of the
most vigilant watch. Where they obtained |
their liquor was a profound mystery, until
It was observed that they held their guns
up very straight when they went out, and
on examination it was found that every
gun barrel was filed with wbiskey The
brigade UOmmissary of General Blenker's |
division testified that on an average there
were five hundred men in that division
who were too drunk to do duty-drunk |
enough to put the whole division to fight !
on the Geld Of battle.
1t is gratifying that the regulations con-
cerning drunkenness are now much more !
strictly enforced than in those earlier
months Of the war.