Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-02
THE ATTEMPT TO CONSOLIDATE BLACK AND
WHITE TROOPS ON SHIP ISLAND
rsspoadenes Of the Springfield (M4ss Republican.

Correspondence Of the Springfield Mass Republican.
PENSACOLA, (FLA.) FEB. ], 1868.
As the experiment Of organizing negro regiments has
been instituted by the Government its progress and re.
suits matter of great interest and having had an
opportunity to witness the effort to enforce the principle
Of military equality of such regiments will volunteer to
give you its history.
For several months past the military post Of Ship Island
has been garroned by two companies Of the Thirteenth
Maine Regiment under command of Col Henry Rust.
Recently the Second Louisiana Regiment Of Black voun
eers ordered to rendezvous at this Island and COL
Rust ordered to transfer the command Of the post to
their commanding officer, Col. N W. Daniel'. Col Rust
and staff ordered, repaired to Fort Jackson leaving
behind him the island the two companies of the Thr-
teenth Maine.
Upon assuming command Of the post Col Daniels issued
orders commanding the consolidation Of the two companies
Of whites with his regiment Of blacks He ordered them
to attend battalion drill and be consolidated at dress pa
rade. In camp and guard duties black captains were
placed white eutenants. and thus white officers and
black white privates and black one black column bent
oeqaonsy doing honor to black equals and superios,
TO naugurate the reign Of ebony The recognition
required not merely the passing salute and modes and
forms of military etiquette but equal military equality,
with its accompanying honors and obedience.
Against the orders thus consolidating them with blacks
the officers Of the two white companies earnestly but re-
sppctuly protested. But their protect being UNDECIDED
and answered. after suitable delay they finally refused
obey the orders They refused to take their companies
to battalion drill appear dress parade they refused
Also to detail guard TO be commanded by negroes They
arrested and the commend Of the companies finally
d-voved upon the orderly sergeant BY the sereeants
offering to detail guard the question put directly to
the members OF the companies whether they would do duty
guard under negro icers Following the example Of
their officers, the perempto,ily refused Whereupon
the ordered under arrest, their muskets and
equipments taken from them and black guards stationed
around their appointed quarters.
The execution Of the order for arrestng these compa-
pies Of the most bumIliating wit
nessed As precauton against disturbance, the black
regiment ordered under and muskets loaded.
Two companies Of blacks with ther black officers march
ed to The quarters Of the dsobedent soldiers and called
upon them 10 forward and surrender themselves a.
prisoners Instead Of resisting the obeyed the sum-
mons in spirit characteristic Of the intelligent New Eng
land soldier who knows how to obey but knows too the
phi osophy Of resistance to injustice Silently they march,
ed the Of their negro masters stacked their arms
hung their sccontremenfs upon their gering bayonets
and turned sadly away, while their black capors bore
away their with feelings and expressions of eee az
they trophies IL conquest As the ebony band re-
turned fr their work their comrades in camp welcomed
them with shouts OF triumph BY single word or act on
the part OF the white cheers scene of riot and blood
would have been the sequel But counsels prev all
ed, and officers and men quietly submitted themselves AZ
prisoners to those with whom they would not serve as SOL
ders acknowledge equals
But while commend their moderation and svmpatbixe
with the white officers and men, far from censuring
Col Daniels. He has not transcribed his powers Hav-
ing brea commissioned BY the Government to take
mand OF the Second Louisiana Regiment of blacks
questions his own equality refuses to award 10 him tho
consideration due his rank BY refusing recognise any
iseiloy 10 the officers or under him account Of
their color he but maintains his self respect and
manests that respect for his subordinate officers and
which alone insure discipline and efficiency In tho
commissions VIII ch he aud h. officers hold, and 10 the
roment and equipment cf his men, he sees an equality
created by the Government which be s forced TO recoe-
Mise and respect deest the whole purpose Of the organ
EATON of negro regiments. Being of intelligence,
skill and energy he has met the ssue forced upon him by
the Government with cautious frmness which Others Of
less honesty or nerve would have shrunk from. 1t
remains TO be whether the President will meet the
ssue which he has created with equal 6rmness The
10 plainly and squsrey made, and Sinking halfway
policy pante the avert the consequences.