Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-04-30
ARMY LETTERS.
HEADQUARTERS, 18TH ARMY CoRrs,
Lake Providence, La, April 10, 1868.

ARMY LETTERS.
HEADQUARTERS, 17rH ARMY CoRrs,
Lake Providence, La, April 10, 1868.
FRIEND HLDRErH On the It'll inst.
Gen. L. Thomas arrived here, from
Washington, and on the 9Th all the
soldiers were assembled to hear him
speak upon the Negro Soldier Ques-
ton" Maj. General Mcpherson made
the opening speech, stating the object
of the meeting, and introduced Gene
raj Thomas. Gen. Thomas said that
he had visited the South West clothed
with carte blanche powers from the
Government, to arm and equip all
able bodied negroes in this corner of
Rebellion, that the President in
adopting this policy had not done it
without mature dcliberation and coun-
sci that hereafter all the able bodied
negroes would be placed under arms,
and made to protect those blacks who
are unfit for military duty, yet able to
cultivate the deserted plantations.
He stated that the negroes were a
great expense to the Government, and
it was perfectly right aud proper
that they should serve the Govern
ment in any possible manner, either
with or without arms.
He further said, that hereafter,
should any officer, of whatever rank,
injure, or cause to be injured, any
negro, he would be at once dismissed
the service and that all blacks COM
ing to our picket lines world be add
mitted at once. He said that two
Regiments had been organized at
Helena, and he hoped at least two
would be raised around Lake Provi-
dence that the officers would be
white soldiers, selected irrespective of
rank, if they we're good soldiers, as
we'll as good men. He remarked that
"the Government was never in so
speedy a way of crushing the rebel
lion as at the present time" Tremen-
dous cheers.
The General was followed by Gene
raj Macarthur, who nobly seconded the
remarks made by Gen. Thomas. Next
came Capt. Jno. G. Klinck, Chief
Quartermaster, 18th Army Corps, who
made the speech of the day. AS he is
one of the strongest of Abolitionists,
you can judge of the tenor of his re.
marks. The meeting then adjourned.
Two regiments of blacks are being
organized at this place. The 9th
Louisiana colored Regiment is com
mandcd by Col II. Scofeld, formerly
of the 9th Iowa, once on Gen. Lau-
mans Staff, and lately A. A. General
for Gen. Macarthur. The 9th is CON-
manded by Col. Jno. G.. Klinck, for
merly of Gen. McPhcrson's Staff.
The other commissioned officers
have already been appointed by the
Colonels, and will soon receive their
commissions, as Gen. Thomas has
them all ready. The negroes are not
in favor of this move, and you can
hardly find healthy one at present.
They are greatly adverse to fighting,
as they think the Confeds will extend
to them no mercy. Fishing and wait
ing upon white gentlemen are more
compatible with their taste than war,
fire and blood. However, they may
make good soldiers. But you know
my opinion in regard to the "nigger,"
and may think me prejudiced.
There is but little news since I
wrote you last. The canal at Vicks-
burg, known as the old cutoff, is now
entirely abandoned, and a new one
commenced, to extend from Milliken's
Bend into Walnut Bayou, and thence
into the Mississippi, near Warrenton.
This is being readily and speedily
brought to a successful! termination.
The country is flooded at this place,
Millions of acres are under water,
and it is highly probable that no
crop, save what the contrabands raise,
will be grown this year.
The 18th Corps will soon 60 down
the river to join General Grant.
Gen. Quimby, who went up to the
Yazoo Pass, is expected to join this
part of the Corps at once.
What the next move will be I can
not tell you now, and reserve it for
my next.
WINFIELD.