Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1864-05-07
..nx narr..ponasnes.
HrApquAnrrns, 5stb U. 8. lnf lOoi] !
MKsrnrs, Tenn April ls'b, 1854. 5
,hs Ed;tor Of the Telegraph.

ur.pou.nyrns. 5sth U. 8. Inf (Col)
MrxppSs. Tenn, April 18Th, 1854.
To the Editor Of the Telegraph:
Il has occurred TO me that brief sketch OF
some things we have here witnessed to-day may |
not be upiuterestipg to the readers Of the 1'efe-
ereph. Al least they have impressed me with
great force, that, most rapid changes, are going
on In the land that a new power is spriusing
into existence, that s destined to be felt in the
uatio q. refer to general review OF the col
ored troops Of Memphis by Gen. Hulour''-
There are here three regiments OF iniantry' all
nearly full, and about 1000 artillery. All ot
which are 10 an excellent state Of discipline.
And especially is this true Of the lufantry' Al
though they have been In the service, but about
| nine months, II is conceded by all whom have
heard speak Of them, that there are very lew
white regiments, that can successfully compete
with them. either in marching or the manual oil
arms. have heard numbers Of old soldiers say
o.day that they bad never seen soldiers appear
better at q review than did this Brigade oi COL
ored troops. =
And then believe that those who know them
| best are most fully convinced that they VIII
Eight bravely; and even desperately. Since
the brutal outrsges of Forrest and Chalmers on
our troops at Fort Pillow, the coored troops
of Memphis have longed to 60 after them 70
redress these savage wrongs. beheVe 'na'
the news were to come at any hour OF the day.
or night. that these forces were near us, anu
that we we're to go out to meet them, there
would be shout OF JOY go up from this entire
regiment. Many of these men have wrongs oil
| long standing that they wish to redress, and
if ever they are brought into action they will
remember them.
There is another point Of peculiar interest
with some of u.s. in the review Of these troops,
and that s the light 10 which this is looked up'
on bv The rebels of Memphis. For Memphis
has her full share of those who are today at
heart rebels though for prudential considera-
tions they have taken the oath Of allegiance -.
Many of these have this day witnessed the SOL
dier-like appearance OF these troops, as they
marched through the streets Ga their return
from the review they marched about me'
down Main street where the walks were lined
with spectators and from tie upper Stories
men aud women were looking from the windows
TO see thesr;-near 5000 strong men. marching
with fun STEP to the music Of our nationu
airs, bearing their muskets, or riding on thei
, caisons or caunons:--or mounted on their cav
airy horses.
Could we have looked into the hearts Of the
thousands of spectators we should have seen
some, trembling with fear and some shaking
with fruitless rage. Indeed as Que passed
along through this crowd of Memphans, he
could hardly resist The conviction that be saw
the evidences of these emotions il their eouC.
tenances.
The time was when they affected TO despiss
the colOred troops. They simply cu'led Tie
lips at them. But BOW they maniiestiy haY, q
deeper emotion thau that:-tiey dread them
The time for simply despisng them is past.
am happy to say that these troops, as O
general thing, have good officers. The Brigade
is under the command of COL Boughton who il
the Colonel OF this (59) regiment lie isreally
ibe officer. While he is a good discipline
riau, he is also full of kiudness aud wins tht
affections Of his men. The same may also bt
said of Maj. Cowden who 1--WE having no Lieut.
Col is in command Of the Regt As am tC
remain in this regiment will give more anon.