The Portland daily press., 1863-03-02
D,seracefnl and InercnsabIe Outrage.

Diseracefnl and Inexcnsable Outrage.
News has been received Of an outrage Of
the most fendish character, perpetrated upon
the contrabands at Port Royal by portion of
the troops recently serving in North Carolina
under Gen. Foster. At that point-the scene
of the principal operations of the Freedmen's
Relief Association - numbers of contrabands
had been at work, under overseers, and the
result Of their labors--a mere experiment in
the practical workings of emancipation-were
most gratifying, TO the patriot no less than to
the philanthropist.
The net balance of receipts over and above
expenses, from this simple experiment, re-
ceived by the government, was nearly half a
million dollars, and sufficient stores had been
retained TO subsist the little colony through the
winter, and to secure to them proper shelter,
instruction for their children, and other com
forts.
But it seems some troops WERE recently
landed there under Gen. Foster, in state
closely bordering on characterization. A cor
respondent of the Traveller, writing from there
says:
"The day after we landed the troops came
In collision with the blacks--the soldiers ra-
pacious, the negroes independent and uncivil;
the result was that the blacks were driven off
to the other end OF the island, and their hous-
es burned and contents destroyed. 1t was a
most disgraceful affair, and Gen. Hunter, just
ly indignant at the outrage, has put the most
rigid camp restrictions on both officers and
men on this island.
Gen. Nagee is at present in command OF
the forces on this island. He has issued
special order censuring the recent acts of
vandalism of the soldiers, and ordering COM
mandng officers TO cause the arrest OF all Off
GERS and men known to be privy to the out
rage. Groans were given in the various
camps for General Hunter at the close of the
evening dress parade on Sunday.
The Free South, published at Beaufort, sets
forth the outrages committed in much strong
er language, and says:
In one day the product of years toll Of
superintendent, teachers and people, has been
swept away. BY unremitting labor, in the face
oil the greatest obstacles, these colored men
and women have been brought TO make some
advance in moral and physical condition. They
are struggling TO escape from the degradations
amid which their past lives have been spent.
They have learned in a good degree the value
of faith and purity in the family, and of hon
esty and regard for the rights of Others in the
social relation. They have gathered about
them of the products Of tn. soil sufficient, with
their little earnings, to supply their necessities
till another season shall bring its crops. These
outrages at once destroy the effect of the NOR
vi teachings which were gradually gaining in
fuence over them, take away their iaith In
the Northern men, whom they have welcomed
as their deliverers from oppression, and throw
them back a helpless burden upon the gov
eminent. Thus, not only are these soldiers
staining their souls with crimes against hui
mainly in the person of the helpless negro,
but are assisting to destroy the government by
increasing its expenses when every dollar is
needed 10 put down the rebellion.
The soldiers who have disgraced themselves
are from New York, New Jersey and Penn,
with portion of one regiment from Mass.
What will the copperhead Journals say to such
an outrage as this? Win this be held up as
another evidence OF the evil results of eman-
cipation? Shall we be told that this results
from attempting to degrade the white man to
-'~'~. ----- 49,. --s- a~--,a
be no more absurd than the usual copperhead
teachings.
II will be borne in mind that the negroes
set upon by the brutal soldiers at Port Royal
were unarmed, lnoffensve laborers. with their
women aud children. Those who think the at
tempt 70 elevate the blacks will degrade the
whites, are requested to consider if a " white
men can become so degraded, through any
proposed association with the blacks, as the
white soldiers referred to have by their on
slaught upon the weak and defenseless. We
hope stop will be put to this thing that il
necessary some terrible example will be made,
that shall teach offenders, no matter whether
In the blue overcoat of the private, or in the
shoulder-straps of the highest officer, that in
subordinatlon is an offense against military
law that cannot be tolerated.