The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-05-12
For the Gate Cay.
swmY CORRESPONDENTS.

loung's Holnt, near flcksuurS, z
April I'D, 1868. u
Mr.. Editor, Adjutant General Themes
is here. He is addressing the soldiers on
the subject of arming the negroes. H.
speaks by authority. This is what gives
such interest and importance to his words.
To-day he spoke to the Army Of the Mis-
sissippi before yioksburg. He declared
that it was the fixed policy of the Admin
istration TO use the negro in suppressing
the rebellion. ,.s - 4
Understanding that Gen. Thomas spoke
by authority Of the President. the differ
ent regiments of the army here we're
ordered into ranks, and marched to the
place of rendezvous, and were formed iaso
an immense square TO hear the message
FROM Washington.
The General said that it was known To
the Administration that the rebels had
their entire force in the field. That the
CONSUMPTION had been so vigorously en-
forced that ali capable of bearing arms
were now in the field. That the continu
alton of the war depended on the ability
TO keep their armies in the field-the
question was one Of subsistence. That
they had four and half millions Of slaves
which were producing their food, build.
ing their forts, and digging their rife
pits, and if they were deprived of thin
labor. their soldiers would be compelled
10 return home to cultivate their farms II
keep their families from starvation.
He said the President had determined
to deprive the rebels of this labor, SO far
as it was possible. That Gen. Grant had
declared that he would carry out the view,
of the Government in relation 10 this sub
ject, to the extent of bis ability. aud a.
the negroes that he found in his capedi
tons should b. brought within the linei
of the army. That he was here for th,
purpose of organizing negro regiments
These regiments, he said, we're to b'
otticsred by white men. That they wsr'
not to be placed on an equality with tn,
white regiments. That they were to b,
used for fatigue duty, to garrison forts
and to hold posts, SO as to let the arm.
move forward, without diminishing IL
numbers to hold captured places. Tha
portion not suitable to 90 into these regi
ments will be hired out to men who vii
rent these .pa ~ ! sngrr .a''od
which the rebris afl "a ns as our arm,
moves into their country, thus maxim
TIL. class sclf-sustaining. The blacks ar
not to go North, for there is prejudid
in the northe m mind against negrod
coming among, them, as shown by statute
! prohibiting tn cir immigration into tn
Northern and Western States. which mus
not be lisregarded He said the desig
was to keep them in the land of their nd
tivity. That the plantations would L
! rented to loyal white men, and the negr
hired to them. These blacks, who are to b
hired out, are to be armed, i. e., that POI
ton capable OF bearing arms, so as to L
able to defend themselves against que
rilia bands. He said the Army of ii
Mississippi, so far as he was able to judg,
was almost unanimously in favor of th
policy. That he was authorized, shoul
he fnd any officer using his influenc
against it, to dismiss him from the servic
\ That ii was the fixed determination OF ii
Government to enforce this policy, and L
gave it his hearty support. Gems. She
man and Blair. and several Colonies wei
called out and made speeches. endorsin
the policy of the Government in relatio
to this question.
Gen. Thomas said he would commissic
officers for these black regiments, wi
came with suitable recommendations.
Gen. Thomas has organized three neg
regiments at Memphis and two al Helen
Many privatep are applying for COMM
sions. There will be no lack of viii
men to lead these negro regiments.
JAS. P. MILLIKEN, I'd Lieut.,
30theIowa Ipft'y.