The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-18
RETURN OF NEGROES IN THE ARMY, 24TH
AUG, 1776.
ALEx ScAMNEt, Adjutant-Gcuoral

This return embraces the negroes with
the main army, under Gen. Washington's s
immediate command, tive months after
the battle Of Monmouth.
Similar returns from the other armies
in other departments would doubtless
show a larger proportion in many bril-
gades. The black regiment of Rhode
Island slaves is not included in the above
return, although il had been already or
ganized. Its history has been as remark
able as any part of the subject under
consideration.
Early in 1878 il was proposed by Gen.
Vsrnum TO Washington that the two
Rhode Island battalions in camp at VAL
ley Forge should be united, and that the
officers of one, Col. Greene, Lieut.. Col.
Olney, aud M1ior Ward, with their sub
alterns, bo sent to Rhode Island 10 enlist
battalion Of negroes for the Continent
al service. The plan was approved, and
the officers were sent home for that pur-
pose.
The Rhode Island Assembly accord
ingly resolved 10 raise a regiment of
slaves, who were to be freed upon their
enlistment and their owners TO be paid
by the State, according to the valuation
of committee (of five, one from each
county,) one hundred and twenty pounds
being the highest price for the most VAL
liable slave. Six deputies protested
against this act, on the ground that there
were not enough slaves 10 make an eilec-
tive regiment; that the measure would be
Itannnrnrra1 ohrnoHs fhas ~.
would be greater, and the owners be dis
satisfied with the indemnity offered by
the State.
The preamble Of the act recites the
fact that "history affords us frequent
precedents Of the wisest, freest, and
bravest nations having liberated their
slaves and enlisted them as soldiers to
fight in defence of their country"
Governor Cooke, in reporting the re-
suit TO Washington, said: Liberty is
give to every effective slave to enter into
the service during tho war; and upon
his passing muster he is absolutel y made
free, and entitled TO all the wages, boun-
ties, and sencouragemenls given by Con-
gress 10 any soldier enlisting into their
service. Tho number Of slaves
is not great, but il is generally thought
that 800 and upwards will be enlisted" /"
His expectations were not disappoint e
cd; and,these slaves who were TO win their
own freedom in fighting for American
independence took the field in force
Before the end Of the year these mer
were tried and not found wanting. In the
battle Of Rhode Island, August 20, lT78
said by Lafayette TO have been the
best fought action of the whole war
this neWly-raised black regiment, undel
Colonel Greene, distinguished itself by
deeds Of desperate valor, repelling three
| times the fierce assault Of an overwhelm'
ing force Of Hessian troops. And so they
continued 10 discharge their duty viii
zeal and fidelity--neyer losing any O.
their first laurels so gallantly won.
is not improbable that Colonel JohI
Laurens witnessed and drew some Of hi
inspiration from the scene Of their iirs
trial in the field.
twill be noticed that in the absenc
Of formal system under Con tinenta
authority, black men continued to fine
! their way into the service, under yariou
laws, and sometimes under no law, or il
defiance Of law. Probably every Stat
had its oolored representatives anon
the soldiery--and there aoknowledg
ments Of services expected or rendered
among the records Of nearly all th
| States.
In New Hampshire, those blacks VIII
enlisted into the army for three years
were entitled 10 the same bounty as Oh
whites. This bounty their masters re