The New York herald., 1863-01-12
The Negro as o Soldier I'm MaSsachu.
6c(ts.

JAMES G. BLUNT, Brig Gen. Commanding
The Negro as O Soldier I'm maesaChu- |
sctts.
Much has been said aud written Of ate concerning the
military ompoymento negroes and tho historical aspects
the subject have bccn ventilated on more than
sion. Last July Mr. George H. Moore OF this city, favored
the public with historical concerning tho
poymont Of negroes in the American army Of the Revolu
ton which demonstrated that the patriots Of the Revo
luton were guided mainly by the necessities of their
situation from time TO time with regard TO the use OF
negroes In the army that they regarded the question a.
Of cxpedicncy that great objections existed TO their
employment except in menal capacities at the outset
and although they afterwards used soldiers 10
certain extent tho numbers enlisted at any ono period
were small Mr.. Moore gives Ia his pamphlet the only
formal return Of negroes In tho army which has ever
been published within our knowledge from which the
inference Is irresistible that the whole number in tho
entro army was very small So far as we arc able TO
judge while TO have been actuatcd BY
much higher motives than many Of their descendants
they accepted II not reluctantly a least with hesation
tho services In OF nconsiderabe number Of
grocs against enemy wts did hts bost very
cossfuly 70 entice them into the service OF the King
recent publication, under the auspices Of the
Massachusetts, Historical Society," by Mr.. George Lver
MORE beoreus s octave volume Of nearly two
can Opinions Of the Founders Of the
Republic Negroes Slaves Citizens and as Soldiers
It embraces largo Of materials for history Of
the subject with occasional remarks by tho writer 70
connect together the oopous extracts and authorities Of
which Il chiefly consists.
TO and but Of these remarks by the wfter
that We propose 10 direct our present criticism. Mr.
vermore says (and he endorsed tho Massachusetts,
Historical Society, that
A. the oommeooemsn. Of the war. Il appears 70 have
been customary for the free negroes 10 bo enrolled with
tho whte citisons 10 tho militia.-P. l24.
This 10 Q gross error We do not believe Il 70 have
bosn Of asingle ef the thirteen colonies and
with respect 70 the colony. province and the State
Massachusetts,, propose 70 show from the record
II II utterly without foundation.
We VIII 60 back 10 tho beglnnkng and down to the
present day In brief sketch Of the legislation the
subject which neither - explained away denied
Tho necessities Of the situation for few years after
the arst settlements made everybody SOLDIER indeed
put arms 10 tho hands Of women and children.
Tho General Court made "a ORDER 2Ith May, 1852
that oil Sootsmen Negerss and indians uhabit,ng with
ssfvants 70 the Eoglsh from tho age Of sixteen TO
sixty years. shai be listed, and hereby enoyned 70
attend traynings we'll The English" Al tho session
in May, 1860, however this order repealed 90 far as
IL relsted 70 negroes and isdia65, e. follows
For the better ordering and settling Of several cases 10
nient Il 3 ordered and declared 81 th Court and Inc
although servants the English sha DO armed or per-
mitied 70 trayne and IT, no other person shal be
ledge or some o the county courts Or courts Of assistants
aftor notice 6 tho partycs dosrcs 10 the occrs OF each
company 70 which they bsiOuge, upon just cause shal
dismiss
This exclusion from military employment and the pri.
vilcge OF bearing 70 have continued without
change until the brief administration OF Sir Edmund
Andres.
Tho act for settling the militia enacted by this very
unpopular Governor and his Council for his ysesys ter
rtory and dominion OF New England, March e. 1887.
provided hat person whatsoever above sixteen years
Of age unlisted by themselves masters mattresses
employees" Negroes and Indians are not exempted
by any provision Of this act but Is extremely doubtful
whether ever went into practical operation OF tho
obnoxious OF his measures was his attempt 10 con
troll tho militia in New England THIS s, however, not
very Important for aior the English Revolution and tho
establishment Of the now province charter among the
earliest Of their laws the act for regulating the
mlitia-l6aS-by which Indians and negroes we're ex.
smpted from all trainings.
subsequent act for tho regulating OF free negroes
Observation-Disclosures tEelr exact position more clearly
the recital In tho preamble is that
Whereas, In the several towns and precinsts within
this PROVINCE there several free negroes and muat
With tranugs watches and other services reaured of
her kacste subjects; whereof they have share 10 tho
benent, &c.
Tho act therefore. provided that they should do sor
vice equivalent TO trainings, &C.. each abieboded free
negro muatto so many days work yearly In repairing
Of the highways cleansing the Streets other service
for the common beuedt Of the place.
In with ell able 10 bear arms they wcre required
make their appearance at parade In eases OF sudden
alarms. whore they attend such service a. the
Hrst commissioned ocss Of the military company OF their
preciact should direct during the time the company con-
tnued In This obviously points 10 msual service,
or any rate service derent from that Of the eu.
rolled militia.
This state things continued down 70 the period ro
fcred 70 BY Mr.. Lvsrmore "the commencement. Of the
war" OF the Revelation and the very arst contemporary
shows tha. negroes not legally enrolled al the
outset. aH1
Tne general militia act Of ITS, 10 providing for the
enrolment. cxcepss "Negross, Indians and muattocs."
We continue our authorities. They require no comment
Tho act Of Nay 177e, providing for reinforcement TO
the American army provides that "Indaus negroes and
nulatocs shall not bo held take up arms or procure
any person 70 do IL In their room"
The acl OF November II, 177s to provide renforcs.
msnts 70 the American army sxccpts "Ncsrocs indians
and muattoes" and the explanatory resolve passed
lhe goth OF the same month also oxcepts "ipdaas,
groes, muiattses, &C.,
The resolve In tho year for taking tho number OF
al male inhabitants above sixteen years OF ago exceps
nIndians, negroes and mulattoes."
This doubtless taken with view TO the ap-
preaching necessity for draft, and oven here they are
excluded although they apparently included in the
poll lists at tho same tImsbcing ratsabo polls not free
citizens
n the winter Of l7Io-7I that they included
IN the number OF persons liable TO draft.
The reso,vs--yanuary 8, IT7I-was "fo~ raising every
seventh man 70 complete quota, and "without any
EXCEPTIONS save the people called
y all male persons Of sixteen years old and upwards
A resolve In August Of the same year was similar ia
is object and character.
But this proceeding not allowed TO pass without
remonstrance, not By the negroes bat the white
In the Massachusetts, Legislature, March 1T7s pc
Tito. Of BENJAMIN Goddard In behalf OF tho seleo.meu