Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-08-01
General Thomas nmdthe Negro Rsgi-
,,ents I'm Tic nItssIsnIpni Valley.


nificent and useful work IN developing
plans for the organization of negro regi-
ments- and for working plantations in the
Mississippi Valley. overtasked by his
arduous labors, he was FRUSTRATED by fever,
aud for a long time was dangerously ILL
All will rejoice to know that he is rapidly
recovering. From recent conversations
and statements of his we condense the fol-
lowing:
Mr.. Field, benevolent gentleman of St.
Louis, seeing the pitiable and neglected
condition of the negroes and the abuse to
which they were subjected, went to Wash
ingtou and laid the matter before SeCre-
1ary Stanton. This reaulted in developing
and defining policy ON the part of the
Government and iu sending General Thorn
as to the Valley to put the policy in opera
ton.
On his arrival at Cairo, he found the
black people huddled together, abused and
neglected by those who had charge of them,
and all sorts OF spitetul expressions, among
which was D-n the niger" used to-
wards them They were dying like sheep
., 500 had already died from various dis
eases. .---.
He made "A speech, developing the new
policy of the Government in regard to the
blacks. He knew of the abuses that had
been heaped upon them, aud declared that
they must end-that black men should be
encouraged to come into the lines, should
be kindly treated, fed, clothed, and armed
and put in military organizations. He told
them that whoever stOId in the way of this
policy, whatever his rank, he should dis
miss from the service on the spot. The
rebels were making use of the negroes,
and every black man that came into our
lines, weakened them and strengthened US,
He would have them organized into regi
ments, and white officers placed over them
men whose hearts were well in the work.
He would select the best men, good men
for officers, even if he had to take all, from
Colonel down, from the ranks. @
The enunciatiou of these purposes pro-
dnced IL revolution at once.
The more he saw, and the more he re-
fectcd, the more huge did his task appear
These people were coming in large mum
hers. They knew perfectly well flor the
intelligence spread like wild fire among
them) that the President had declared
them free. He made report to the Sec
ret"ry of War saying it would not do to
send them North-some States had passed
laws against their reception, and the pref
udice of certain classes, where laws had
not been passed-especially the Germans
and Irish-was too great to think of send
ing them there. They could not be sent
TO the Border States, for they would be
kidnapped and carried back to slavery. 1t
would not do to let them be huddled to.
gether aud become idle and good for moth
ing. No, they must be employed in the
land which gave them birth. Possessed
with these ideas, and this plan, he went on.
He went to Columbus, Ky. General
Schriber, fine officer, was in command.
General Thomas addressed the. troops;
thought that there was material there for
colored regiment, and declared his pur-
pose to organize one.
He passed on to Helena, Ark. General
Prentiss, who was in command, entered
heartily into his plans. A colored regi
ment was organized, called the "First Ar
Kansas" This regiment was ordered down
at the time Lake Providence was threat
ened, aud departed with the greatest zeal
aud al"crity. He organized a second reg
iment at Helena, from the negroes who
came in there, and before leaving author
lied Colonel Pike, a Missourian, land those
Missourians enter heartily into the work, J
to organize FIVE additional regiments from
the negroes as they came in.
At Youug's Point he met General Logan
who entered heartily into the work and
was for availing ourselves of the services
of the negroes to the fullest extent, He
organized two colored regiments 10 Logan's
corps.
After we took possession of Grand Gulf,
a thousand negroes came in, and Shepard,
of the Third Missouri volunteers, offered to
take charge ola regiment. He was so much
pleased with his zeal, that he told him to
go on and raise brigade, aud he would in-
sist upon his being made a Brigadier- Gen.
Three of those regiments are already or
ganized. -=--r-r--g r
He visited and held long interviews with
General Grant. From General Grant down
he did not meet with any opposition, but
every one gave his hearty cooperation in
carrying out the new policy of the Gov
ernment.
Milliken's Bend, shipping port in that
part of the country, would certainly have
been captured, had it not been for two in
complete colored regiments, one of which