The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-02-17

In Quartermaster General Meigs able and
interesting report as latesy -Ys'uted, We find
the following statement in relation to the
negroes Of the South, and the m ilitary opera.
tioHs Of our army: .,.,-~
Much difficulty has been feared in dealing
with the colored population in the Southern
States. Thus far, this department has not
been oppressed with them. In the field op-
erations in Virginia, the supply Of able bodied
negro labor has not exceeded the demand
It has rather been difficult to gil up the re
questions for such labor. M 1,a
Upon Notifications, as drivers Of teams and
ambulances, as holsters, as laborers in the
Quartermaster's department, repairing rail
roads and military roads, all who have of-red
have found ready Employment. 0
The labor Of able bodied men, with that of
woman able to wash for the hospitals, has sup
ported all who have come directly under
cha,ge of this department upon the Potomac. :.
AT Harison's Landing, a body of a thous-
and negroes, organized by Col. Ingalls, into
gangs, were most effective in landing stores
from the transports, bearing fatigue and ex
posure in that unhealthy climate much longer
than the white soldiers and laborers. who
soon broke down along sice Of them. Their
assistance was the greatest value Of the army.
On the Southeastern coast large numbers of
them were employed by the Quartermasteps
Department in the necessary labor OF the
posts. This left the moro costly soldiers to
his purely military duties. t.,N cu
With all the people of the Southern States
as united through choice or military compul-
sion, as the whites are asserted to be, it might
be we'll doubted whether 80 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 if proper use
is mado here of three Of tie aid of all who
are loyal, all who are willing to contend on
our side, will be ligbtered by their divisions.
The rebellion does not cover wider terrific
ry, is not more barbarous and ferocious, is no,
supported by stronger prejudices of race and
caste, does not embrace greater or more
united population, is not better supplied with
arms Of fortified by climate, ard had not al
its commencement a large body Of trained
soldiers than that which only few years since
our cousins Of Great Britain put down
though separated from their chief seat o
power by two continents and half the ocean.
This lies at our doors, sssailable along a from
tier by sea and by land Of three thousant
miles, everywhere under our control.
Great Britain looked not at the color Of th'
recruit; she accepted the MD Of every Offered
arm, and was successful. Courage, resolution
and wisdom will accomplish in the West wha
they did in the East.
Our people are being slowly schooled t
arms, and the war, thus far singularly fire.
from the outrage which in other countries ha
attended civil connections, begins at length
by lis inevitable destruction Of property apt
life, 10 bear upon the territory we occupy will
portion Of the fearful weight necessary t
crush rebellion.
The labor of the colorcd man supports tn
rebel soldiers, enables him to leave his plan
tation to meet our armies, builds his fortifca
tions, cooks bis food, and sometimes aids hin
on picket by rare skill with the rifle.
In all these modes it is available to assis
our army, and it is probable that there will b
less outrage, less loss Of life, by freeing thes
people, il put under strict military control, thar
If left to learn slowly that war has removed
the white men who have hitherto held then
in check, and to yield at last to the temptation
Of instruction and massacre.
Had the Government been prepared to NEE
promptly, with the overwhelming force which
the loyal States could have supplied the frs
rebel armies, the rebellion might have bee
crushed without long and desolating war
aud without disturbance of the relations be
tween the two races in the South.
That time is past; the destruction Of th
country by fortifying and garrisoning it's chic
strategic and commercial points, arc tie only
conclusion to the war.
In this work the loyal inhabitants Of tn
county, white or black, must be compelled t
assist, and it is impossible to cast aside tn
millions eff recruits who will offer themselve
for the work, accustomed to the climate, in
ured to labor, acquainted with the country
.. and animated by the strong desire not merel
for political, but for personal liberty. Res
pectfully submitted. NJ G. MEIes,
Quartermaster General.