Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1864-04-03
Experience with Ihe Negrs In Middle
Tennessee
oOrTsTpondenee Louisville JOurnaLI
NASHVILLE, March Il, 1854
NEGRO SOLDIERS.

Since the introduction into the army Of :
black element, between which aud the white
there will ever be contention, and never fra
terRization IN feeling and respect, there have
been abuses and outTsges enough to condemn
the experiment. This organizing serTile popu-
lAtion, and aTning it to battle against the oncs
ruling element, the master, is fraughE with dan
gers and serious objsetions. These objections
were opposed through the prints aad other
channels sgaiBst the RrmiBg of the blacks, but
every scruple was defiel and the cherished in
novstion made.
/. was argued that discipline could be infused
into blacks and ssryils population mobilised
with as raueh ease and safety "a the same sue
cess could be achieved with whites and freemen.
Il should certainly be the care of those who ad-
vised the experiment., and TO whose hsnds its
success is cOnfded, to spare no labor or yigi-
lanes in the effort to compel obedience on the
part of negro troops to orders and that soldierly
respect for rights that proper, discipline enjoiRs
It may be true, as the friends Of this measure
advance in the consciousness of having cast
poser, that he who has known nothing but oB-
prsssion and ssrvility al his life must be ex-
peesed TO ovsrstep at times the pale sf pTopriety
II their natures incline to insu5oTdiaation and
outrage, the more stTingenily should thsy be re-
strained snd mora numerous should be the
guards and checks.
EXPERIENCE IN THIS DISTRICT.
The niggsrs in this distries who are IN the
military service, are becoming insoIerably inso-
lent and imperious. Their brszsn effronteTy
eals forithe inserposition OF some hand that
will deal condiguly with their sable maj sjssties
L is nc part Of the duty Of black soldier to
prowl through the country with his aims, en-
teriHg dwellings, at pleasure, and, brandishing
his wespons, plumber and rob at viii. If en-
thusiasm of our patriotic soldiers of the IN
fortunate hue is not given vent, by employing
them at such places where their spirit Of adveu-
ture msY be directed against enemies of the
land, it viii be nsceSsssTy to keep on hand al
equal number of white soldiers or they'll "ruls
the roast"
Numerous instances have been reported here
of black soldiers entering dwellings, in the
country, insulting women in the m15t violent
and indecent manner, and frightening unaTmed
citizsBs into nou-resista1ce, while they accom-
plishsd their work Of theft or demolition. am
happy to record that 3 cisizsR being sssailed by
one Of these uniformed sons Of Ham, who, sup
posing the gentlemen UnaTmsd, made insolsnt
demands sud threatened to shoot on uon-compli-
pliance, emptisd into his sable carcass the con
tents CT shot gun, that ssns his adventurous
spirit to mingle with the shades of HAdes. If q
few more Of the arrogant seoaRdsls meet wish
the same summary disposal, it viii be better for
tho service, and decidedly more satisfacsory to
all wko p efer the superiority Of the white race,
aud who would have the record of the army
unblemishsd By these enancipated brutes
: I shall not mention cases, although could
refer to scores. I have only to say that, hsd l
suthority here, I'd end this insolsnes Of negro
soldiers, OF end lhs existence very suddenly Of
enough to exert salussry influence over the
rest.