Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-03-29
For the Freeman.
The Case Of the Freedmen.
TYLER HOUSE, HAMPTON, Va,
March l6dh, 1864.

TYLER HOUSE, HAMPTON, Va, |
March l6ti,, 1864
Mr. EDITOR The great question, whether
colored men will ever make soldiers, may by this
time be considered as pretty fairly settled
Two regiments OF colored cavalry, one OF infant
ry, and one full battery, have for some time past
had their encampment between the Tyler House
and the Fortress and the multitudes who have
witnessed theii drills, AMI dress parades, have
with one consent EXPRESSED their admiration at
their soldierly appearance. They are men now,
and not things soldiers, and not services war
riors and not slaves many OF them riding as
princes upon horses-a terror to sll rebels. Are
they not tc act conspicuous part in putting
down this wicked rebellion, and in iidding the
land of that sum of all villanies which has
caused this fearful war;
But not all Of our soldiers are with US now,
The Second regiment of cavalry bas recently
been removed from us, and has already done
good service under Brig Gen Hickman, in the
vicinity of Suffolk, as you will doubtless be in-
formed before you receive this. In less than
seven weeks from the time Of its organization,
this regiment took it's position in sight OF the
enemy's pickets, to relieve veteran soldiers who
were needed elsewhere and in ,ighl weeks from
it's organization, four hundred OF its members
being attached both in front and rear, by Two
thousand rebels, engaged them manfully, cut
their way through their ranks, and made good
their escape having billed three rebels to every
man lost of their own. This was on Wednes-
day the 9th inst Is not this sufficient refu-
tation OF the formerly current opinion, that
negroes won't fght7" Mr. Spaulding of Massa-
chusetts, the oommisssry Of that regiment, III
giving me some account of the recent Suffolk
fight, related the following incidents
One poor fellow, whose leg had been cut of
; by shell, was found by his Captain lying upor
the ground, still loading and firing his carblnc
= The Captain endeavored to aid hun In mount
ing that be might ride to the rear; but thi
being found imprscticable, he again resumed
his loading and firing which he kept up TIL tn
rebels came upon him and killed him.
: Another encountered rebel officer who de
mandcd bis surrender The negro refusing t
: comply, the officer called to his aid two othe
rebels, and all three pitched in upon the bray
;, negro, who, though already unhorsed, was De
> Tending himself against the three, most heroic
g ally, when his Col (Cole) seeing what was g
y ing on, rode up, and with his revolver killed tw
9 Of the rebels, and fired upon the third as he W,
a fleeing, wounding him, probably to death Oh
o of this brush, says the Colonel, the negro can
'e as good as new, save few hard bruises.
% A negro private, seeing his Cap tain in vel
exposed position, pushed him aside and took h
IN place, saying 4" Captain had better be expose
&, here than you"
t A bugler, mere lad, was met by a strol
a. rebel who demanded his surrender. The b.
It deiguing noreply, the rebel aimed at him bic
n with his sabre, which the little fellow avoided
he slipping from his horse, not however, in time
Of escape q severe blow upon his arm. The rel
q took bis horse and made of. The boy not liki
at 10 lose his horse, pursued the rebel, keepi
is himself partly from view by running in
lr. woods, till fair opportunity presented, wh
eh taking good aim, he shot the rebel, took be
err horses and returned 10 triumph to his conrad
Of viii any still doubt whether negroes can r.
ust der Uncle Sam any service, in the capacity
pse soldiersP
nd :" You can nspr make soldiers o ffhs nsgros
Mt. That is false They do make soldiers, and q