New-York daily tribune., 1865-12-26
THE COLORED TROOPS.
Adjutnnt.General Th0mas's Report.
WASHINGTON. ID. c., {

the field against the Rebel forces TO examine into all
operations in cotton connected with the troops and to
announce TO the army the policy Of the General Govern
ment respecting the negro held in bondage IN the
States in rebellion.
1reported TO you, from tins TO time, the condition OF
the troops, and their determination TO meet and beat
the enemy On the 23d of June reported 10 you rei
tive TO operations in cotton, showing what frauds had
detected and the difficulties had to contend with in
obtaining information, whereby the guilty per-
might be brought to trial My operations in this
respect Of little practical value, and only ex.
cited opposition and discovered that this opposition
acted injnriously upon tie third and most important
part OF my du,ies-your instructions respecting the
blacks.
The present report is intended TO give tie results in
the organization OF col rel troops.
You undoubtedly recollect tat the determination TO
send this duty sudden one aud the purpose
was only unfolded to ne the day prior to the date of
the instructions and you urged expedition the MOTTO
The subject was new to me- and entered upon the
duty by no means certain of what might be able to
effect STILL most Of my military service was per-
formed in the Slave staes and was perfectly familiar
with plantation life felt that knew the peeuarties
of the whole race wolld, with tie blessing OF Divine
u
dtion Of the numerous thousands who would come
within our military lines for protection
At Cairo. Illinois. first caue in contact with what
were then called cortrabands, over 100 men, women
and children huddled together in insufficient quarters
the helpless drawing rations from the Government and
the abe.bodied men employed in the yorious depart.
m ents Of the Government laborers. to tic extent
they were requlred compensation $40 per month and
d. 4 .ftpAt Tho no Ula
had been very great, especially among tho children
measles, diarrhea and pneumonia being the peculiar
diseases and this subsequently found TO have been
the at all points visited by me where large num-
bers were collected. Cairo was not proper place for
them and they were soon removed TO Island NO ~ in
the Mississippi River. below this place.
! March % reviewed the troops and announced 70
some extent the policy of tho Government and having
up 20 the 9Th of April carefully considered the whole
subject on that day communicated 10 you my views.
/ These views were subsequently enlarged upon as
came into more immediate contact with large bodies OF
troops and thousands OF negroes. WITH but few er'
ceptions bad the troops paroled, and after review
had them brought together in mass aud announced 20
them the purpose Of my mission then requested the
Body Of the troops TO call on such Of their commanders
As they Nigh, desire 10 make address the subject
] lad announced In this way the views OF many
general and other officers were communicated directly
! 10 the troops. With single e1eepton-the regiment
o pOcy %ss asanss eSiosd
quite general and required in the first instance
all Efforts c0urtcraCt H. Bnt unalY IL was over
come and the blacks themselves by their coolpess and
determination IN battle fought themselves into their
present high standing as soldiers.
| i found the treatment Of the blacks varied very
materially at the different military stations and by the
operating columns; some received them gladly Others
iDdferenty while in many cases they were refused
admission within our lines and driven OFF by the pick
cts They were thus obliged, In numerous cases to
turn into Slavery. This resulted from the fact thatno
policy in regard TO them had been made known; but
as had announced, by your authority. the views
Of the President and yourself all opposition TO their re-
ception ceased. In this connection. may state that
the General hef Of these armds Lieut. Cen Grant
took steps provide for the welfare Of this unfortunate
race and detailed humane clergymen as superintend
ents of conrabands To see 10 their welfare the Gen
era all occasions gave his hearty support, and
was ever ready TO second my views. The policy RS
announced it, that al officers and enlisted men
required TO treat the blacks kindly and encourage
their seeking the protection Of the troops 10 be fed and
clothed far possible until they could be able TO
provide for themselves. The abe.bodied men 70 be or
ganized into regiments, except such laborers as were
required in the several staff corps and departments,
cooks for the troops and servants for the officers
also distinctly announced that IL any officer should
stand IN the way or oppose this policy, would not
hesitate TO dismiss him from the service OF the United
States.
April .. addressed the troops at Columbus. Ky.
April T. explained the plan 10 Major Gen. HurbGt,
commanding at Memphis, Tenn. and. at his request.
authorized him to raise SIX companies Of ariersts to
man the heavy guns IN position at that place; also 20
organize conrabands for work In the Quartermasters
Department April 8, addressed some 1000 troops at
Helena. Ark, commanded by Major Gen. Prentiss.
April g. addressed Gen. McArhurs and several dyi.
sions OF Gen. McPhcrson's corps April l2 at Mill.
kcns Bend, La. Joined the headquarters Of the Com
manding General Lieut.. Gen. Grant. At this time. as
lad possession Of the west bank Of the Mississippi
River and could collect the negroes became satisfied
that 20 900 troops could be organized If necessary. and
first made arrangements FOR 10000 and aerWard for
another 1000.
In eases where could not personally visit troops OPP
eratng at distance. invariably made known 10 the
General in command, by communications, what was
desired and urged upon themthe utmost zeal in carry.
ing out the policy Of the Government. In regard TO
offering these regiments. i authorized Commanding
Generals OF corps and divisions to assemble Boards OF
Officers TO examine applicants desiring commissions.
and 10 be particularly careful TO select none but those
whose hearts were IN the work and VINO would devote
themselves 10 elevate the blacks and endeayor TO early
bring them into high state Of discipline These Gen
erals then desired to furnish rosters for regiments
on which would issue appointments and give the nee
essary authority to raise the troops also authorized
tie In 1t sergeans OF companies TO be whe but soon
found that soldiers only took these positions to obtain
promotion and If not made in svory short time, dis,
saisfaction the consequence therefore changed
tie rule and urged colOnes TO select intelligent blacks
and instruct them. This system worked admirably.
and have seen coored sergeans drill their squads as
well as white sergeants.
AT fist the best class Of officers a. general thing.
did not offer themselves. owiag . IKE prejudice existing
ganst colored tr95ls ;.d number merely wanted
higher posit6hs; still. some good ana seaous onlcors
were Obtoned aftcrward. when the prejudice against
this spcces Of troops had been overcome higher class
Of cers presented themselves, nEd IN larger Huhbers
could be appointed. ny uichub' ao"t va
inspections by my self and two officers OF my stan the
careless and Indifferent officers were gotten ia or ana
Jealous appointed Ircmalned with the tioops
until they crossed the Mississippi River at Brninsonig
Miss, May l. and aterward visited the army on the
Big Black River May and then returned up the river
10 Memphis. Tenn, TO visit the corps oi SaJ Ten
HuIburt lySiied the positions Of his corps US ihf as
Corinth by cirmitous route of railroad of some one
hundred and sky miles, and addressed the troops
at seven dileFnt stations on the hist days
then to .hc troop and conrabnnds a Corntb aid tie
second day to thetroops nj six different stations on the
third day returning to Memphis. The weather was
excessively hot. md the exposure and exert.on to-
pcth her uii ~