Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-04-07

They say IL Is atr0eious 10 raise up against
them their own servants-their own prop
erty. II isin sccordance with the ussges
Of all nations, through all history, for an in
vsding army 10 avail itself Of the aid, in ev-
cry way, Of any part Of the population Of
the invaded country, which can by promises
Of advantage. or payment; or liberty, be in
duced TO lend their support. The blacks,
everywhere in the South, flock to our stand.
ard, eager to aid Us in the suppression Of
the Rebellion, thereby overthrowing Sla.
very. To accept their assistance, and 10
seek it is perfectly legitimate act, while to
reject it would be the extreme Of folly.
The Rebels have said that we could not
fnd the negroes useful as soldiers; that
they we're towards and would run at the
sight Of white man and whip. But they
have long since found that an escaped slave,
armed and on equal ground, is fully match
for his former masterl 'st
Gen. Burler told me that he has two ex-
cellent black regiments of cavalry, and that
greatly superior force Of Rebel cavalry, sup
ported by infantry and four pieces of artil-
lery, the blacks won a brilliant victory
They charged the Rebels in the nost admi-
rable manner, with loud shouts of defiance,
and with the saber put them to rout and
drove them in confusion off the field. In
many cases the Rebels have put colored SOL
diers-prisoners-to death as soon as they
were captured, and in this case the cavalry
took no prisoners; they gave no quarter and
asked none The barbarous execution Of
black prisoners by the Rebels has not intim-
idated the negro soldiers, but, on the con-
trary, has exasperated them to such de-
gree that they are quite ready to accept the
Rebel policy Of mo quarter" On the oc-
caslon speak of, black sergeant was sur
rounded and called upon to surrender. His
reply was, mo quarterl lchose to die in
battle and not by the halter and he killed
several of his assailants before he fell HIM
self, covered with wounds.
have myself seen blacks placed in most
trying positions in battle, and once had them
in my command iu front Of an attacking
column, carrying timber for crossing ditch,
and no veteran troops could behave better,
and no position could be Imagined where
more courage would be required. The Reb.
els have boosted that they could put armed
blacks to fight simply with the flourish of
the whip; but they have already learned
that the emaHcipated slave is man. and
in this war he is stimulated to brave deeds
by every noble consideration that can ami
mate the heart.
When l left home, more than two years
ago, there was good deal Of speculation in
regard TO negro soldiers; but the prevailing
sentiment seemed to be that they would not
be practically useful, and ought not to be
permitted to help us fight our battles. |
rejoice now at the change in public senti-
msnt which perceive exists here.
live had commenced this war with such
public sentiment as we have now, we
should have triumphed long ago. The Ad-
ministration, in the prosecution Of this war,
has been constantly embarrassed by divis-
ions among our own people, and by per-
verse public sentiment at the North in rela
tiOn to the whole question of Slavery. A
large party existed here whose sympathies
were supposed to be in favor of Slavery and
against Emanci patton, and against any eff
fort to preserve the Union and the Govern
ment. The Rebels were greatly encouraged
minstration was necessarily embarrassed by
it. Violent was the opposition to any meas
ure looking at emancipation and the enlist
ment of negro soldiers. But public opin-
ion has been greatly changed, until at pres
ent the numbers are few who oppose the
former measure or object to the latter. In
two short years, how wonderful the changel
At present the Rebels are looking anxi-
ously at movements at the North in relation
to the next Presidential election. Their
hope is that some other man than Mr. Lin
coin may be nominated and elected to the
Presidency. The election OF any other per-
son they will regard as sure indication that
the loyal North tires of the war, and means
to change its policy in relation to it. The
leaders of the rebellion have now no other
hope of success than this, and their hope is
that those may come into power who will
say to them, "Erring sisters. depart in
peace!" The officers in Libby Prison, who
had abundant opportunities TO see the feel
ing of the Rebels on this subject, were anx-
ious that the loyal men of the North should
perceive the danger of lending any encour-
agement to it. No man has greater re-
spect than myself for Mr. Chase and Mr..
Fremont, nor = more entire conviction OF
their loyalty and their ability to conduct the
affairs of the country with honor to them
selves and to the advantage of the Nation,
but for this time should regard the nomi-
nation Of any other person than MIR. Lincoln
as public misfortune. 3D..
My conviction is, that the ensuing cam
paign, if active, earnest aud successful, will
be the last. Preparations are in progress
to this end, and l am confident that the
Rebellion cannot withstand or survive the
onset. Its finances are utterly ruined its
credit entirely exhausted, at home and
abroad; its leaders despair Of success; the
masses of the people, weary and exhausted
BY war, desire peace on any terms; its
armies are unpaid and underfsd, and the
conscripts of which they are entirely COM
posed, have no heart in the struggle, since
in any event they have nothing to hope or
to gain-while they and their families are
the greatest sufferers by IT, The people
everywhere in the South are suffering ex-
tremely for want of everyeomfcrt, and even
for the common necessaries OF llfe-and
they know that it is only through peace that
they can escape fiom their perils and dis
tresses. -.-u
| have often been asked at the South, by
civilians as well as officers Of high rank.
when | thought the war would end. My
reply has been uniformly--when one party
or tho other shall be thoroughly exhausted
and that they could jndge as well as which
marty that would probably be. The North
has twenty-one millions of people, the
south has between three and four millions
of whites within tie Rebel lines, the NORTH
has great and constantly increasing navy