The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-08
HOW 20 MAKE OUR OOLORED TROOPS
EFFECTIVE.
views Of a Major GeneraI in the Army.

the proper organization OF the eolored
troops in the service of the United
States is from the pen of distinguished
Major General in our Southwestern
army, who has had full opportunities of
observation and experience:
While successful exertions arc made
made to raise regiments of colored
troops, we find no general corps organi-
zation to give them the character and
standing of white troops In most in
stances they are scattered by regiments
10 perform the fatigue and garrison
duty of armies in the field Is this
wise, MS a matter of policy disregarding
all sympathies or antipathies toward
these troops
We are introducing new element of
/ great magnitude in the composition of
our armies-one not at all unlikely. in
case Of future wars, to prove great
source Of strength as far as numbers
/ are concerned Is it wise, then, to 10
more in this element, its training and
action in masses, on the march, in ac-
/ tive campaign, and in battle? Why
should not the experiment be made OF
+ q column Of these troops put in train
+ ing, at least? | believe that thirty
thousand 100000 colored troops, in
proper condition, by necessary drill and
discipline, Will accomplish il ten DAYS
marches an average greater distance Of
/ FIVE miles per day, with an average re
/ duction Of the transportation required
Of fifteen per cent by an equal number
/ Of white troops believe that | can
accomplish this How great an element
! Of success such celebrity Of movement,
with reduction Of impediments, will
have, every soldier can appreciate.
( The proper creation and mastering
of this element Of fighting strength in
/ our country is worthy of the most care
/ full consideration, both in q military
and political point of view Freedom
is extended to these people, many Of
whom are in great measure unprepar-
ed by previous education and habits TO
take advantage Of its benefits Freed
from the lash and the fear Of punish
ment, the surroundings Of these people
may cause Incidence or crime to de
velop itself in such q manner as to
cause many regrets for the political
/ transformation of the race The ordi-
nary methods for the development OF
/ the untutored mind in civilized coun-
tries would fail to meet the require
ments of the sudden change in their
condition. What better school, then,
than that of soldier, for the men, where
the exercises and restraints of military
rule and discipline viii prevent the
formation of vicious habits, and correct
them if already formed?
Not only fearful responsibility, but
. a glorious work, is with the command
ers Of these troops. While performing
all the duties required in military
point of view, it is absolutely necessary
that a general, commander of a large
organization of colored troops, if made,
should be possessed of enlarged views
as to their political condition, their fll-
ture uses in the State, and the necessi-
ties arising therefrom. \ great power
is placed in his hands, for evil; or, if a
negative man, Providence and the fu-
ture alone viii shape the results With
out care, energy, comprehensiveness /
and ability, we must look forward to
the pro- liability Of new troubles and
difficulties arising from the discharge
or expiration of service Of these men
difficulties which may enter into the
politics of the State, and, fed by the
regrets oflOst luXuries and ease, the
bitterness and disappointments engen-
dered by civil war, will aid in the Gre
alton of political element that may
override the stoutest efforts of the phi
lantrophists Or the progressive man
We may yet be thrown back decade
by such events as are here fOreshadow-
ed How great, then, the necessity for
prompt and prudent action in this mat
ter
Aside from the esprit d,t corps which,
with skill in arms, a commander will
! naturally inculcate, his efforts must not
cease here. He must establish and eff
feet system of instruction, inthe plain
elements Of education, that will fix a
basis at least for further development
HIS constant care and exertion will be
required to improve their sanitary and
physical condition. What a vast res
possibility rests upon those who have
allowed this class to die by scores, up
on the Mississippi, during the last year,
simply from a lack of personal atten-
ton and inquiry into their previ-
Gus condition, mode of living, and the
PROF course to pursue with them.
The utility of these troops, the ne
cessity for the increase of their numbers,
Tat white labor may remain at the
North, and slave labor be taken from
our enemies, as well as for other reasons, !
are so generally admitted by every rea-
soniHg man, that any allusion to these
points seems unnecessary. The com |
mander whose vigilance should not be |
sufficient to keep his ranks full, where /
the material IS SO abundant within the |
scope of his operations, would fail TO |
meet what is required Of him.
The colored troops Will draw period /
cally certain amount Of compensation |
from the Government 1t will not mat /
ter what that may be, they will be left /
penniless at the expiration of their /
service, from harpies, suffers, and /
thieves, who will surround them, unless
the commander shall organize and carry
out system of savings and investment |
for them, that will enable the soldier.
should he so elect, at the expiration of /
his term of service, or at the close of !
the war, rs the case may be, to purchase .
and stock, with the aid of his warrant,
a freehold become a cultiYator of the
soil for his own account-in other words
an independent man. free citizen
Legislation viii be required from time
to time TO aid in effecting these objects,
and much labor, benevolence, frmness.
energy, and patriotism from the com
mander, whose purpose, determination,
and objects becoming apparent, he will
be fully seconded by his officers.
In a military point of view, these or
carnations should be cultivated and
improved to that extent they will be,
with regard to the requirements of
physical labor, entirely selfsustaining.
The introduction of the various grades
necessary to a complete organization Of
the crops should be made at once-by
instructions when needed. A system
of extending this instruction beyond
the requirements Of the regiment or
corps viii add much to the development
Of faculties in the black man, who has
so long been kept down that we ought,
at least, TO throw this chance in has way
for light and improvement These men
should be taught selfgovernment as
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