Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-05-08
correspondenes Of the Journal.
Letter from the 72d o. v. I.

/ DUCK POINT, La, April 22d, 1868.
Last Monday at o'clock, P. NJ, the Sd Di
vision was paraded before Adg't Gen. Thomas
o. s. A., to hear from him an exposition Of the
policy Of the Administration with reference TO
the negroes. General Thomas told US the Pres
ident and his Cabinet, after much earnest thought
and discussion, had adopted the policy Of arm
ing the negroes aud IL was only after the fullest
consideration Of the subject that the policy
a'owed was adopted. He said the true point
with all who are earnestly in favor Of suppress.
ing the rebellion was, TO weaken the enemy so
far as lay in our power, and strengthen ourselves
The South were sending to the army their
whole white male population, and using the
slaves to produce food for the sustenance Of the
people and soldicry. Deprive them Of this pro-
ducing class and we weaken them vitality. But,
what are we to do with the negroes after having
brought them within our hnesf They could
not be sent North, for there exists in the North
strong and immovable prejudice against such
a course. Government could not now devote
means and money to transport them to a foreign
country. Nor would it be right or humane TO
leave them alone TO their own resources, for
they arc ignorant and inexperienced. There
fore was it concluded that we must care for
them, control and use them. And as the best
manner for useiDg them, to arm them and make
them useful in fighting our enemies and hold
ing the rebclious districts as they are regained.
"for every negro regiment" said the General,
thus raised, will release regiment of whites
from garrison and fatigue duty and thus make
our columns stronger" Then again they would |
be used to repel guerrillas and pursue them to
their haunts, as they would possess accurate
knowledge of the country and inhabitants.
The Adjutant General declared it right and
duty to deal thus with this unfortunate peo-
pie, aud told us it was the Presidents positive
order that they should, whenever they came to
our lines, or are met by our expeditions, be
treated kindly, and all who are fit shall be inn
medately clothed, armed and put into military
organizations. Those unfit for military duty
will be placed upon abandoned plantations and
set to labor, whereby they viii produce their
own subsistence and perhaps aid the army.
The remarks of Gen. Thomas were well re-
ceiyed, aud seemed to meet a hearty concur
renee from all. Gen. Tuttle, Gen. Buckland,
Major O'Conner and others succeeded in brief
and earnest remarks warmly indorsing the pol
icy set forth by Gen. Thomas.
At the conclusion Gen. Thomas proposed
three cheers for the President which were Civ
EN- with will. Then three for the settled pol
icy of the Administration, and they were like
wise heartily given. Then the soldiers gave
three for the Adjutant General of the United
States, and The meeting was adjourned.
/ should, perhaps, state that Gen. Thomas told
us be was by birth, by education, by association,
a southern man, and that as a loyal southern man
he did most earnestly urge and indorse the pol
icy just avowed.
There are to be twenty Of these regiments or
ganized in this Department. They are TO be Of
ficered by selecting proportionately from the
white regiments, Applicants for field commits
siOns are to be recommended by regimental
commandants, and then examined by board of
officers. For company officers each commandant
Of a regiment is to recommend two suitable can I
didates for Captains, two for 1st Lieutenants and
two for I'd Lieuienants. AS soon as applicants !
ire passed by the Board or recommended by |
he Colonel, they are commissioned by General /
Thomas and enter upon the work Of organizing
heir commands.
The following recommendations have been
made, by Col: Crockett, and the persons win be
commissioned accordingly:
For Captains-Andrew Uncle, Ist Serg't Co.
i, and Lee Whitman, lst Serg't Co. E.
For LIST Lieutenants-Joy Winters lst Serg't |,
20. B, and WIN. McEnally sergeant Co. G.
For I'd Lieutenants-Jcfferson Russell Co. F.
md Josiah Fairbanks LIST Serg't Co. l.
For lst Sergeants- - Hartsock Co. D, and
- Terrill, Co. X.
Capt. s. A. J. Snyder has been recommended
or a field officer, and will no doubt be passed
~ the Board. tr tf
The Paymsstcr is expected TO pay us off for
our months, Tomorrow, This will be very
grccable TO us all ] infer.
The attack on Vicksburg cannot long be de-
aged All goes well and in very few DAYS
he rebels will be advised of our determination. II
We are hourly expecting orders TO move.
SEVENTY SIX.