The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-04-20
First Regiment Arkansas Volunteers
of African Descent.

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First Regiment Arkansas Volunteers
of African Descent.
The sudden conversion of Adjutant
General Thomas from the most pro-
slavery of conservatists to the most ia.
n&tical of abolitionists. is one of the many
wonderful things that have occurred dur
ing the progress of this very wonderful
war. The bitterness with which General
Thomas prosecuted Gen. Fremont was
attributed at the time to the formers in
dignation at the latter radicalism Yet,
now, while Fremont's sword still rusts
in its scabbard by reason of that blum
dering proclamation he was so foolish in
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abolition speeches and organizing negro
regiments. How the old Dominion must
blush for her recreant sonI
But we do not wish to be understood
as condemning Gen. Thomas present
mission. We approved Fremonts pro-
clamation. We endorse Thomas Afri-
can regiments. With Gen. Kimball we
are in favor of arming Jackasses even,
if they can be made useful in whipping
the rebels. Indeed, it is suggested by
sarcastic friend that many of the latter
animals have been armed, With side
arms, but not proven so destructive TO
the rebels thus far as to our own forces
General Thomas speech at Helena in
favor of organizing the negroes who had
collected there into regiments for the
purpose of arming and equipping them
as United States soldiers, met with
very enthusiastic reception on the part
of great majority of the officers and
men stationed at that point. The truth
was, something had to be done with the
negroes, who were dying of disease or
starvation, and spreading disease through
the camps of the white soldiers. It was
also evident to every practical mind that
it would cost the Government less to
organize them into regiments under
white officers, and supply them with regu-
lar rations, than to have them visiting
the camps of the whites, annoying them
in every way, besides stealing their ra-
tions. a remark of General McGinnis
struck US as being correct He said be
didn't oaro-r.auo-h yvhothor negroes would
fight or not. He wanted them organized
into military bodies to get them out of
the way-to get rid of their presence in
his own camp
Having determined on forming an ar
my of contrabands, it was highly essen
tial that the first regiment should be or
ganized under proper auspices, and
above all that it should have the right
kind of commander We think General
Thomas was particularly fortunate in the
selection of Colonel for the "First Regi-
ment of Arkansas Volunteers of African
descent" Lieut. Col William Wood, of
the list Indiana Cavalry, combines in bis
person most of the qualities that will be
found essential in the organization and
drill of a regiment of negroes. His cour-
age is of the true quality-has been tried
and approved He is full ofenergy and
dash, and just sufficiently fond of display
TO so equip his men as to make the regi-
ment not only attractive to themselves,
but also strong incentive in securing
the enlistment of others. The zeal with
which the Colonel took hold of his new
work filled up his regiment with a ra-
pidity that was surprising even to those
who entertained the highest hopes of the
success Of the enterprise. The Colonel
was empowered to select his officers out
of the various regiments located in Hele-
ma, and the applications were so numer-
Gus that he found the task of making
proper selections quite difficult one.
He has petitions and recommendations
enough on file for position in the present
or any other African regiment be may
raise, to officer an army corps
We copy the list of officers for the
First Regiment, as it was furnished us by
Adjutant Lyon, with the names of their
former regiments attached; also, the
General Order authorizing the formation
of the regiment:
SPECIAL ORDER No 8.