The Portland daily press., 1865-05-17

Wednesday horning, May II, 1866.
Negro troops at Beaufort, South Carolina


Negro troops at Beaufort, South Carolina.
10 The Editor Of the Preset r5se9 9sf bs
Much has been said in regard to negro
troops, and as the conviction Is possessing our
minds that the Great Rebellion has ceased to
have practical existence, it is possible that
you, Mr.. Editor, and your readers are tired of
every thing relating to new regiments and new
troops.
The belief is entertained by many that
northern troops cannot, or perhaps, will not
remain long in the South, after the restoration
of peace, and the question is asked by them,
whether the negro troops now raised and un-
der arms and those which are still being en-
listed, will be used to garrison Southern forti-
fcations in the southern harbors and impor-
tant positions in the South generally.
The writer has been for a long while in
weekly correspondence, when circumstances
permitted, with officers Of high rank and in
telligence, who accompanied Gen. Sherman
from Chattanooga to Raleigh, and .ihaye had
rare sources of information for determining
the efficacy of negro troops. MY letters were
not written for the public, nor were they ex-
clusively given to describing negro soldiers
I have come to the conclusion that the con-
dition of our country for long time will de-
mand a heavy armed force in the South, and
that under the circumstances the negro is the
best material of which to make soldiers for
that purpose. They are accustomed to the
climate and familiar with the character aud
habits of Southern society. 80 a
But my object in writing this communica
tion is to introduce some items taken from a
letter describing negro troops, consisting of
a brigade of three thousand negroes, under
command of Col. Charles h. Howard, Ia
brother of Maj-Gen. Howard, now stationed
at Beaufort, S. G.
DAILY EXERCISES.
The men are required to be up and dressed
at O'Clock. Drill from to IL O'clock
School to teach non-commissioned officers to
read and write, under the personal superin-
tendence ofCol. Howard, from to 10 o'clock.
Drill from 10 till II IL o'clock. School for
non-commissioned officers from one to three
o'clock. Drill from till P. M. and parade
at 8 o'clock. Atsthe close of the dress parade
there is prayer bo the chaplain or one of the
clergymen-the chaplain and clergymen TAX
ing turns. Rev. Mr.. Fuller. of lHallowell,
Maine, has been appointed Chaplain of Col
Howard's regiment but had not arrived at
Beaufort ON the 28th of last month.
POLICING.
If between the Drill hours there is any IN
occupied time, the most of it is taken up in
policing (cleaningl the camp grounds. The
grounds are kept, my correspondent says he
is proud to know, as clean as q swept floor,
dissipating the idea that negroes cannot keep
themselves and what is about them, free from
impurities. One Of the segerest difficulties,
which our officers have found to encounter in
governing white troops has been that Of keep
ing them from being filthy, SO as to ruin their
health and corrupt the camps.
The negro troops at Beaufort have just re,
ceived their arms, the Springfield musket,
which is the best now made.
s..f.ss@S GEN. sAxToN. asas7
Gen. Saxton is In command Of the negroes
In and about Savannah, Beaufort and Charles
ton. He was at Beaufort on the 2sth ult., and
spoke in warm commendation of Col. How
ards regiments and especially Of the one un-
der his immediate command. 1t is admitted
that the power OF imitation in the negro is
greater than in the white man, consequently
the soldierIy bearing on drill and parade is
more quickly acquired than by white troops.
They do not become familiar with the use OF
arms SO readily as white troops, but have
never learned that their skill was any inferior
after they have had sufficient practice.
Senator Wilson's son is Lit. COL of one of
the regiments at Beaufort, and a colored man
is Mcjor, but the latter is not very military.
COL. HOWARD
saws his first aim is to fit the negroes to be
good soldiers and thus prepare them to be
good citizens. He has enlisted in the work ol
endeavoring to elevate and enlghten this poor
unfortunate race and the prayers Of every 10y
a citizen should go with him and Gen. Saxtor
IA their selEdenying and selt-sacriicing labor
Many Of the teachers and all other northern
people who could be spared have returned OF
are returning to the North, before the com
mencement Of the warm weather, fearing that
the season may be warm and unhealthy, this
year. Consequently greater and more arduou'
duties devolve upon the officers who mustre
main. 1t was rumored that some of the negro
troops would be sent in search of JEFF. Davil
& Co., ere long, but that was not reliable.
Col. Bryant OF Maine, with Lieut.. Col. Met
calf of North Leeds, Maine, and Maj. Samp
,on also of Maine, are to have regiment i'm
mediately, aud think 1t is already PARTIAL!
organized. 1' ..s.f,.a
God grant that these efforts Of patriotic
men may be crowned with success. 1t Ire
ieve the government Of the necessity Of call
ng upon the north for additional men aftel
he present armies are disbanded, and 1t vii
nrnish business and good livelihood fo
twenty thousand negroes now ready to be
Dnce placed under arms in the military distric
commanded by Gen. Gilmore.