The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-20
The Negroes in the South.

The Negroes in the South.
In QuArtermaster General MEIas's able
and interesting report, as lately printed,
we find the following statement in rela-
ton to the negroes Of the South, and the
military operations of our army:
Much difficulty has been feared in deal
ing with the cOlored population in the
Southern States. Thus far this depart
ment has not been oppressed with them.
In the field operations in Virgins, the
supply Of able.bod negro labor has
not exceeded the demand. /. has rather
been diillcult to Oil the acquisitions for
such labor.
Upon Notifications, as drivers nf teams
and ambulances, As hostlers, as laborers
in the quartermaster's department., re-
pairing railroads aud military roads, all
who have offered have found ready em-
ploymeDt
The labor of able-bodied men, with
that Of women able TO wash for the hos
pitfalls, has supported all who have come
directly under charge Of this department
upon the Potomac.
| At Harrison's Landing, body of
Thousand negroes, organized by Colonel
| ingalls, into gangs, were most effective In
landing stores from the transports, bear
| ing fatigue and exposure in that un-
healthy climate much longer than the
white soldiers and laborers, who soon
broke down alongside Of them. Their
assistance was there Of the greatest value
to the army.
On the southeastern coast large num-
bers Of them were employed by the
quartermaster's department. in tho nee
essary labor OF the posts. This left the
more costly soldier TO his purely military
/ duties.
With all the people Of the Southern
States a. uniteds through choice or mil
itary compulsion, as the whites are as
serted TO be, il might be well doubled
whether so great rebellion, extending
over so vast territory, could be put
down. But as in the great rebellion in
India, the people are Of more than one
race, and the task before the country, il
proper use is made here as there Of the
aid Of all who are loyal, all who are
willing to contend on our side, win be
lightened by their divisions.
The rebellion does not cover wider
territory, is not more barbarous and fe-
rocious, is not supported by stronger
prejudices of race aud caste, does not
embrace greater or more united popu-
lation, is not better supplied with arms
or fortified by climate, and had not at
its commencement larger body OF train
ed soldiers than that which only few
years since our cOusins Of Great Britain
put down, though separated from their
chief seat Of power by two continents
and half the ocean. This lies at our
doors, assailable along frontier by sea
and by land Of three thousand miles, eve
rywhere under our control.
Great Britain looked not At the color
of the recruit; she accepted the aid of
every offered arm and was successful.
Courage, resolution and wisdom will ac-
oomplish in the West what they did ia
the East
Our people are being slowly schOoled
TO arms, and the war, thus far singularly
free from the outrage which in other
countries has attended civil connections,
begins at length, by It's inevitable dis
lructioE Of property and life, to bear up
on sthe territory we occupy with tho
fearful weight necessary to crush rehel-
lion.
The labor Of The colored man supports
Che rebel soldier, enables him 70 leave
his plantation 10 meet our armies, builds
his fortilcations, cooks his food, and
sometimes aids him on picket by rare
skill with the rifle.
In all these modes II is available 10 as
sist our army, and il is probable that
there viii be less outrage, less loss Of
life by freeing these people, il put under
strict military control, than II left 10
learn slowly that war has removed the
white men who have heretofore held
them in check, and 10 yield al last 10
the temptation Of instruction and mas
saoro.
Had the Government been prepared 10
meet promptly, with the overwhelming
force which the loyal States could have
supplied, the first rebel armies, the rebel
lion might have been crushed without 4
long and desolating war, and without dis
turbance Of the relations between the two
races in the South.
That time Is past; the destruction Of
the rebel armies, and the gradual Occupa-
ton Of the country by certifying and gar
risonjhg lie chief strategic and CONNER
cial pOiats, are the only conclusion 10 The
war.
In this work the loyal Inhabitants Of
} the country, white or black must be-
compelled 70 assist, and II Is ihpostible
10 cast aside the millions Of recruits who
will offer themselves for the work, accuse
B toned 10 the climate, Injured 10 labor, ao-
I, quainied with the country, and animated
y bY The strong desire not merely for poit-
+, ical. but Tor personal liberty. Respects
. fully submitted, H. Q. MEIos,
y 0uariermAsier General