Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-10-30
Ths,E,h:u, 6. CoIered Troops.
OArP DEIAwARI, Oct. 9sth, 1868.

1 NANE uELAHAhIg Ncbs Sobal ASSes
EDS. LEADEz II take this opportunity tc
inform the readers Of your paper As to the
condition and progress Of the 5th Regiment
U. S. oOlOred Troops. It's friends watch II
with interest, and to such it is pleasure as
well as duty to give an occasional descrip-
ton of its advancement towards OrganiIa-
tiOn. To them it looks for encouragement
in our enterprise which, If it fails, viii be at
tended with sorrow, but If successful will
confirm them in their estimation of the man
hood and in their speculations as to the cOur-
age of IOng-sufsring and unfortunate peO-
pie.
The regiment at present numbers $50 men,
all Of whom are mustered into and compose
the nine companies whioh have been COM
pletely organized. Strenuous efforts are be-
ing made to recruit and organize the tsnth
and last company. Recruiting has been pro-
crossing rather slowly Of late, owing to a
misapprehension among the cOlOred people
of the State, as to the pay, premium and
bounty which are allowed them. Pains hav-
ing been taken to set them right in this mat
ter, it is hoped they will readily respond to
this call which has been made upon them. It
is hoped also that their friends will extend to
them the proper inducements for enlisting.
As soon as the last company is organised the
regiment expects to take the field. It has
been on the gun viUe for orders for some time,
but it is now decided by the Department
that the service can be more advanced by
keeping this regiment in Camp Delaware
until it shall be completely armed, equipped
and organized and shall have made consider
able proficiency in the drill. It is evident
that the President intends no mere exhibit
ton Of armed men by thus incorporating
these colored regiments into the large armies
Of the East and West-elss so much atten-
tion would not be paid to their outfit and or
ganizatlon. Doubtless the design is to test
their qualities as soldiers by the severe and
arduous duties Of the field. This is not
looked upon with regret or dependency by
either officers or men. The men believe
themselves able to cope with any equal num-
Der of rebels, and the officers have full con-
fdence in that belief. The future, after one
of those fierce and ssnguinary struggles
which always try the courage of brave men,
will decide the question whether the cOlOred
people of Ohio are capable of being its de-
Tenders.
The health of the regiment is at present
geod. Under the medical treatment Of the
Surgeon, DR.. Merriwesther, it has
greatly. The hospital is conduct
ed in an admirable manner, and shows
that it is superintended by one who has had
much experience as army Surgeon
As yet no Colonel has been appointed, but
it is finally decided that Lewis Mccoy of Co.
lumbiana county is the proper man to be-
come the future eommandant Of the Regi-
ment. He possesses good qualities as q man
ager of men, and it is also presumed that he
knows all that pertains to the drill and dis
cipline Of them. His age will entitle him to
the respect and his position to the obedience
of those under them. 7.