New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-05
OF COLORED TROOPS

Mr.. Jefferson Davis, by proclamation dated
December %, 1862, made known his purpose
concerning negroes in the service OF the United
States in the following terms:
THAT all negro slaves captured be delivered
over to the Executive authorities Of the respective states to
which they belong be dealt with according to the laws u
said States.
THAT the ike orders be executed IN al cases with repee,
to al commissioned Of the United States when found
serving company with sad slaves In instruction against
the su,horite. Of the different States Of this conf-deFAey
This proclamation was Immediately pub
lshed throughout the Northern as well as
Southern States. II appears in The TRIBUNE
Of December 80 1862 and everywhere attracted
attention as the official announcement of a
barbarous policy, previously known to have
been resolved on. The laws of the Southern
States, II was also well known. prescribed tor
ture BY the lash, and death, as the punishment of
nsubordnate negroes. 1t was understood
therefore, by the military authorities Of the
United States that if they continued to employ
negroes, they would employ them, Us matters
then stood, subject to the risk Of reinstatement,
Of savage cruelties, and Of death.
The policy Of the Government of the United
States at this time had become well defined.
From the first, negroes had been solicited and
compelled TO perform auxiliary services in the
National armies. Early in 1862 they had been
enlisted as soldiers in New-Orleans by Gen.
Butler, with the appreciation of the Govern
ment. In September, 1862 the preliminary
Emancipation Proclamation had been issued by
the President, and the general enlistment of
negroes as soldiers had been resolved on. BY
the 25th Of January, 1868, the first regiment Of
United States Colored Volunteers was mustered /,
into service at Port Royal, South Carolina. On
the Goth of the same month Gov. Andrew of
was specially authorized, by the
order Of the Secretary Of War, to enlist colored /,
troops. Therefore, the proclamation of JefTer- /
son Davis presented distinctly the question
whether negroes il the military service of the |
or should be butchered at the |
pleasure Of the Rebels.
Previously to the issue of Jefferson Davis's
proclamation, the Rebels had from time to time |
negroes captured from the National
forces, whom they were servingas laborers. In
after its issue, series Of murders
and other outrages began, as if for the purpose
Of carrying it thoroughly and Enthusiastically
into effect. They began with case that showed
clearly they meant to treat all negroes alike,
Of their previous condition. At Gal
weston, Jan. |, 1868, part Of q Massachusetts
regiment was captured and the Rebels took two
negroes, free-born citizens of Massachusetts,
residents of Norfolk County in that State, and
sold them into Slavery. Near the end of that
month, twenty teamsterS driving wagon train
of Gen ROsecrans'S were captured near Muir
freesboro, Tenn, tied to the trees by the road
side, and shot. In May, two negroes in the
captured on picket at Port Hudson and forth
with hanged. On the 9th of May, the first as
sault on Port Hudson was delivered, and many of
the negro troops fighting with great courage were
wounded and fell into Rebel hands. OF these,
some were murdered on the spot in the sight of
their comrades, Others are supposed to have
been carried captive into the town. But when
Port Hudson was surrendered, no negro prison.
ers were found in the place. On the 9th of
June there was au engagement at Milliken's
Bend between about 200 negro troops and an
ovcrpowerng force of Rebels. A large number
Of the negroes were murdered on the field after
they had surrendered. Some Of them were
shot Some were put to death by the bayonet.
Some were bound fast to trees and burned alive
Some were crucifed and burned. Of those
whom this last fate befel, several were white
officers in command of the negro troops. The
field wherein these events occurred was subse-