Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-06-07

coat The Administration could not resist the
pressure brought TO bear upon IL by this time
i must be confessed that every opportunity for
a thorough trial has been given Adiutant Gen
eral Thomas went down 20 the abandoned plant
atoms on the Mississippi clothed with full power
TO organize regiments and 70 make the whole
military policy adopted IN the South~esi subser-
Went to bis designs Rudmentary organizations
were formed for scores of black regiments. and
recruits we're obtained IN sufficient numbers 20
encourage bopes of great success. The first evil
consequences became apparent in the distress
brought upon the negro population thus deprived
of their natural protectors.
Unless accounts have been exaggerated, the
mortality which prevailed among this class at the
military depots where they were gathered. be-
came absolutely appalling. Exposure. change of
diet and habits of life, induced malignant forms
Of disease In regard 10 the men no apprehen-
sions OF anything of this kind seems TO have
been ever anticipated. but IL now appears that
these have persisted in like manner, till whole
regiments, once well filled, are now extinct IL
% also found that the negro troops cost more
than white men, and are much less efficient.
These are startling facts but they are very sig
nificant, and when st last the Administration
consents candidly 20 review the whole subject,
giving the negroes full credit for all that they
have accomplished AZ the sane time that they
disasters entailed through their agency, we have
no hesitation in predicting that the whole black
soldier scheme will be repudiated as complete
and decisive failure Aside from other couside-
rations above mentioned. the country has been
disgraced by STOPPING 10 this resource, and the
annals of the war are blackened tor all time by
the record of atrocities committed by combatants
OF either side. where negro soldiers have figured
among the would-be heroes.
The following, from an intelligent correspond
ent Of the Springfield (Mass Republican, states
the case in plain light:
Correspondence Of the Republican.
PoRr HuDsoS, La, May 10. 1864.
THE CORPS p'AFRIoUE.
This body, of troops, organized aud equipped
by order OF Gen Banks, aud intended 10 include
about fifteen thousand men. having their head
quarters at this post has recently been subject TO
several important changes. When the order of
organization was promulgated. il contemplated
the formation of eighteen regiments of five hun
dred men, with the same number Of officers as
in the regiments Of one thousand There were
already three full regiments orgsnized several
months previous as Louisiana Native Guards,
and Gen Ullman had already commenced re
cruiting for the five regiments known subsequent
ly as Ulmah's brigade These eight regiments
were made the nucleus Of the new corps, and
during the summer and autumn OF 1863, through
the channels opened BY the progress Of the cam
pagn. there were men enough enlisted to swell
the number of regiments to about twenty five,
and Gen George L. Andrews was placed in com
mand of the corps. But, unfortunately, il was
found that the physical qualifications OF the ne.
gros were not equal to the hardships of drill and
fatigue duty, many of them having in them the
seeds of old and surely fatal diseases brought on
by the vicious habits Of plantation life. and many
Others being as vet young and immature in body
and marked by hereditary taints.
Ii is surprising TO one unacquainted with the
subject to contemplate the terrible rate of NOR
tality. and to learn how many have lung and
heart diseases, or are broken down bv rheumatic
affections, oyerwOrk and i'll usage. Thousands
died were discharged for disability, or deserted.
The regiments dwindied down from five hundred
TO two hundred or three hundred; recruiting was
stopped By an order from General Banks. which
contemplated the retention of as many able bodied
blacks as possible on the government plantations;
officers began to grow discouraged; designations
became the order of the day; disappointment on
the pay question demoTalized the men. All these
causes combined 10 have an untavOrable effect on
the corps. When the campaign commenced this
season, four regiments were ordered 10 the field
To fill them up to six hundred each, it was ne
cessary To transfer men from three or folr other
regiments, leaving to each company in the latter
only rs officers and ten men. Then came the
section of the War Department, changing the re-
gimental numbers and designations to United
States infantry artillery. &c. and requiring
maximum of one thousand. Very little remains
of the original corps, save IN the regretiul recOl-
lections of its past officers and the formidable
Notifications its men have erected here since the
surrender OF Port Hudson General Andrews has
gone North on leave General Ulman succeed
ing 10 the mmand. and full and careful in
SpectiOn OF all the works and forces here last week
by General I W Sherman who lost leg in the
siege of Port Hndson) has given rise to rumOr
Of further change of commanders What the
future of the corps will be depends now upon the
question of expediency; with the possible inter
ests or necessities OF our standing army warrant
the expense of organizing and drilling coOred
troops and bringing them ~ 70 the standard of
white troops.
As the resources of the South, agriculturally
are called out, the demand for labor for accli-
mated blacks will increase If the available
number is diminished by the requirements of
large army. there will he m increased opposition
TO maintaining black regiments The question
Is OF immediate aud great Importance. To fill
W the black regiments in this department alone
would require twenty thousand new recruits and
seems 10 indicate That il would be better 10 let
the present organizations die cut and supply their
places, II the necessity continues from the army
of foreigners now seeking our shores. Besides
this reason there is another entering into the con-
sideration OF this subject namely. the greater
cost of maintaining colorei troops They are
incidentally idle, lazy. unproduetive and wasteiul
] ae loss 10y wear and tear. such as the expense
OF keeping up their uniforms and equipments, OF
garrison and camp equipage, and all kinds OF
military stores and property. promises 20 exceed
very greatly Tue corresponding expenditure for
white troops, and il Is scarcely matter for doubt
that their services are far less valuable. both IL
quality and quantity. TO the government. The
subject Is one which comments Itself very forci-
bly, to all who have m interest in the future char
acter and condition of our national troops
Ia vies OF such facts, viii some one be good
enough 70 say who Is most loyal2 Who has the
countrys aud the armys interest most at heart
the men .ho advocate or the men who oppose
tAe negro soldier plans y-TJournal OF Com
merce.
rhe Vicor az the Government.
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