The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-03-21
Negro soldier in tho Rehel ARMY.

There is not a shadow OF doubt that
the rebels are using negro soldiers pref
ty freely, in several quarters. In our ao-
count Of the fght at Spring Hill, which
resulted so unfortunately for our forces,
we stated, on the authority Of a soldier
who was in the fight that there were me-
gro soldiers in VAN DoRSs force. The
statement was contradicted in dispatch
sent from this city, but we have heard
our original statement confirmed beyond
any reasonable doubt. II is certain that
there are hundreds and hundreds of ne.
gro soldiers in VAN DoRN's army, and
that the rebellious shareholders are using
their black chattels, as far as they pos
sibly can, in shooting Union soldiers. A
New York paper says:
The report that negroes are serving as
soldiers in the rebel army, both as cav
airy and infantry, is fully confirmed by
recent dispatches. The matter is under
consideration by the authorities in
Washington.
The Copperhead organs being deeply
interested in proving that negroes will
not and cannot fight, have professed
hitherto to regard the reports as TO their
employment as soldiers in the rebel
ranks, as fabrications. 1t seems how
ever that there is proof of the fact of
an official character ats Washington.
The N. Y. Express, which is the most
violent of-all the cOpperbead organs in
New York, admits the fact, in q letter
from Washington, by one Of its editors,
Hon. ERAsTUs BRooKs:
Negro Rebel Cavalry PIckets.
An official report has heen made TO
Headquarters of the discovery of negro
rebel cavalry pickets on the south bank
of the Rappahsnnock, below Fredericks-
| burg. Es
There seems TO be little doubt of this,
as the report ii made on the authority of
Lieuts. Thompson and Moves, Corporal
of the I'd U. s. Cavalry, and others. The
fact IL authenticated, is q very impor-
tant one, and it shows that negroes are
ready enough TO serve their masters
in the field, and that the rebels are
ready enough 10 make use of their
services as common soldiers. If these
men are employed as pickets, as the
Times asserts, then they are in the most
exposed positions, aud placed where they
could easily desert TO this side if they
we're so disposed. Such facts put 10
fight a good many theories in regard to
the negroes and the war, aud prove
E.rs.. That the rebels have no COM
FUNCTIONS about using black troops.
Second. That these negroes are as well
in the service, as in the sympathy Of the
Scuba fact which was abundanty
proved under General Mitchell in South
Carolina, and since in the o. der for the
CONSUMPTION of Negroes by General Hun
ter.
Third. That If the rebels choose TO in
troduce negroes as soldiers into the ar
mics of the South, the United States will
not bs slow, by general consent, 10 avail
themselves of the services of the negroes
at the North.
War is one great measure of Reprisals,
of retaliation, of punishment, and de-
struction. Those who take the sword
must perish by che sword. If the ne
groes take part with the rebels, they will
of course, be shot down wherever the
opportunity offers; but so far the truth
is apparent enough, but the black man il
rendering much moro service 10 the rebel
Government than to the United States.
No one who is familiar with the de.
sire for liberty which is almost univer
sal among the slaves, will believe that tn,
negroes are in the sympathy Of the
South" They would revolt on the frs
opportunity, against the COnfederates
who will use them only where there ar
enough white soldiers TO hold them com
pletely in check. They would no NOR
risk a black army by ITSELF than they
would risk an army of Union Conscript
by itself.