East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1863-04-14
The Attempt TO Consolidate black
and White Troops en ship Island
Cor. Of the Springfield Mass J Republice

gro regiments has been instituted by
the q vernment, it's progress and results
are a matter Of grea' interest; and hav.
ing had an opportunity TO vii ness the
effort to enforce the principle of military
equality of such regiments, | wiltyolun
teer to give YOU its history. 'N'
For several months past the military
post ofShip Island has been garrlsoned
by two companies of the Thirteenth
Maine Regiment, under, command OF
Col Henry Rust Recently the Second
Louisiana Regiment of Black Volun.
teers was ordered TO rendezvous at this
Island, and Col Rust was ordered 10
transfer the command of the post to
their commanding officer, Col n. w.
Daniels. Col, Rust and staff, as order.
ed. repaired to Fort Jackson, leaving
behind him on the island the two com
panies of the Thirteenth Maine. sar cd
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 parade.
In. camp and guard duties black cap.
tains were rlaced over white lieutenants,
and thus white officers and black, in one
black column blent, obsequiously y doing
honor to black equals and superiors,
were 10 inaugurate .he reign of ebony.
The recognition required was not mere
ly the passing salules and modes and
forms of military etiquette, but an equal
military equality, with it's accompanying
honors and obedience, - ''' .o7
Against the orders thus consolidating
them with blacks the officers Of the two
white companies earnestly hut respect.
fully protested. But their, protest be.
ing unheedei and Unanswered, after a
suitable delay, they finally refused to
obey the orders. They refused to take
their companies to battalion drill or ap,
pear on dress parade; they refused also
to detail guard to be commanded by
negroes They were arrested, and the
command Of the companies finally de-
volved upon the Orderly Sergeant, BY
the Sergeant's offering TO detail guaid j
the question was put directly to the
members of the companies whether they
would do duty as guard under negro
officers. Following the example Of their
officers, the men peremptorily refused.
WheIeupon the men were ordered un-
der arrest, their muskets and equip
ments taken from them, and black
guards stationed around their appoint.
ed quarters. .. .rt-.- E.- r,.
The execution of the order for arrest
lug these companies was one Of the most
humiliating scenes | ever Witnessed
As precaution against disturbance,
the black regiment was ordered under
arms and muskets loaded. Two com
panies of blacks, with their black officers,
marched TO the quarters of the disobe
dent soldiers, and called upon them to
come forward and surrender themselves
as prisoners. Instead of resisting, the
men obeyed the summons in a spirit
characteristic of the intelligent New
England soldier, who knows how to
obey. but knows, too, the philosophy of
resistance to injustice. Silently they
marched to the front of their negro
masters, stacked their a ms, hung their
accoutrements upon their glttering bay
onets, and turned sadly away, while
their black captors bore away their
arms with feelings and expressions of
glee, as if they We're trophies of con,i
quest. AS the ebony band returhed |
from their work their comrades in camp |
welcomed them with shouts of triumph. |
BY a single word or act on the part of
the white officers. a scene of riot. and
blood would have been the sequel. But
wiser .counsels prevailed and officers
and men quietly submitted themselves
as prisoners TO those with whom they
would not serve as soldiers or ,acknowl,
edge as equals. g.. ,..........
But while I commend their moder
alton and sympathize with, the white
officers and men, ! am far fr IN censur
ing Col. Daniels. He has not transcend
ed his powers. Having been .comwis
stoned by the government to take com
mand of the Second Louisiana Regiment
of blacks, no one questions his own
equality or refuses to award 10 him the
consideration due his rank, BY refusing
torecngnise any inferiority in the officers
or men under him on account OF their
color, he but maintains his own seif-ren
spect and manifests that respect for his
subordinate officers and men which
alone can insure discipline and efficiency.
In the commissions witch he and his
officers bold, and in the enrolment and
equipment Of his, men, he secs an equal,
ity created by the government which
he is forced to Recognize and respect,
or defeat the whole parpose Of the or
ganIzationDf negro regimehts. Being
. man, of intelligence, skill. and energy,
he has met the issue forced upon him
by the government with "a cautii,fs
frmness which Others OF less honesty
or nerve would have shrunk from. 1t
now remains to be'seen whether the |
President viii meet the issue which he
has created with equal frmness. The
issue is plainly and sqparely made, AMI
no shirking or half way pohcy can pal
liatey the. injustice or avert tbe1 conse;
quences. .,,, ,ll.. ID, ,5a,r,.f nd. f,s,
BAD LUCK AND Coop cK,-Bal |
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