Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-06
Correspondence of the Sprngdeli Mass Republican.
The Attempt 10 Consolidate Black
and White Troops on ship Island.
PENSACOLA Fla March 1863

As the experiment of organizing negro resi
ments has been instituted by the Government its
progress and results matter of great interest:
and having had an opportunity to witness the eff
tort enforce the principle of military equality
OF such regiments, will volunteer to give its
history.
For several months past the military post OF
Ship Island has been garrisoned by two com
psnies of the 18th Maine regiment. under com.
mand of Colonel Henry Rust. Recently the 81
Louisiana regiment of black volunteers was or
dered to rendezvous at this island. and Colonel
Rust was ordered TO transfer the command of the
post To their commanding officer, Colonel n
w Daniels. Colonel Rust and f. a. ordere t.
repaired to Fort Jackson. leaving behind him
the island the two companies of the 18th
Maine.
Upon assuming command of the post, Colonel
ID inels issued orders commanding the cOns0liia
ton of the two comuanies of whites with his regi
ment of blacks. He ordered them to attend bat
TALON drill and be consolidated at dress parade
In camp and guard duties black Captains were
placed over white Leutenants. and thus white
officers and black. in one black column blent.
ob>equiouSly doing honor to the black equals
and superinrs were to inaugurate the reign of
ebony. The recognition required was not mere
lv the passing sautes and modes and forms of
military etiquette, but an equal military equal
ity. with its accompanying honors and obedi-
ence.
Against the orders thus consolidating them
with blacks, the officers Of the white companies
earnestly but respectfully protested But their
protest being UNDECIDED and unanswered. after Il
suitable delay they finally refused to obey the or
ders They refused to take their companies TO
battalion drill or appear ON dress parade; they
refused also 10 detail guard TO be commanded bv
negroes They were arrested, and the command
of the companies hnali~ devolved upon the Or
DERBY Sergeant BY the Serseant'> offering to
detail guard the question put directly TO
the members of the companies whethey thew
would do duty AS guard under negro eff
GERS Following the example of their officers
the men peremp:0rly refused WhereupOn the
men were ordered under arrest, their mus
keis and equipments taken from them, and
black guards stationed around their appointed
quarters.
The execution of the order for arrcStins these
companies aas one OF the most humil''Ang
scenes ever witnessed. A pIeca utIOn against
disturbance, the black regiment was ordeied
under arms and mu>kets loaded Two COM
panies OF blacks, with their black officers. marched
TO the quarters OF the diSObedIent sOldeg>, ami
called upon them To come forward aud surrender
themselves ~ prisoners Instead OF resisting,
the men Obey Ell the summons IN splrlt charac-
tersiic oi the intelligent New Eng Land solder.
who knows how 60 obey. but knows, too, the
philosophy If resistance 10 injustice. Silently
they marched 10 the front of their negro masters,
stacked their arms, huns their accOutrements
upon tier gttefIas bIyonet>, ana turned sadly
away. While their black captors bore away their
arms with feelings aud expressions OF glee, as u
they were trophies OF conquest. As the ebony
band returTfei from Their work their comrades IN
camp welcomed them with shouts OF triumph.
by single wurd % act Oh the part of the white
officers scene OF riot and blOd would have been
the sequel. But wiser couuSes prevailed, and
officers and men quietly submitted themselves as
+ prisoners to those whom they would hot serve as
soldiers or ackuOwieuSe equals Il
m aims To be seen whether the President will meet
the issue which be has created with equal firm
ness. The issue i plainly and squarely IN sde
and Sinking or halfway policy can paliiate
/ the injustice or avert the consequences.
The issue his been met and the white soldiers
have triumpbed. As We knew They would The,
have been ordered TO follow their Colonel tC
Fort jackson. Death would no doubt have beer
cheerfuly suffered bs them before submitting tc
the humiliation and degradation sought TO b.
forced dpon them by the Abolition "philanthro
pists" and philosophers