Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1865-07-08

No excitement here to-day.
-t -i.-l4zA s<s--.--~-~-.-- 49,. .'s
~ Disclaiming any intention to
reflect insultingly upon the officers OF
the colored troops, in our article rela-
tive to the Fourth Of July celebra-
ton, and willing to grant them the
full benefit Of a hearing, we publish
the communication which follows,
promising that they have miscon-
ceived the real meaning and intent
Of our remarks and the feelings en-
tertained by our citizens in SO far as
they may be construed to apply to
the officers personally or otherwise
FoRT WILLIAMS, July 9Th, 1865.
Editors Baton Rouge tasette d Comet:
SIRs--In your notice of the celebration
of the Fourth of July, you asoribe the
cause Of It's failure, 40 far as the citizens
ored troops formed part of the military
procession.
The majority Of us have been in tho
military service nearly ever since the war
began, first as enlisted mon and subse-
quently as officers, commissioned by the
President Of the United States.
OF the services we have performed we
need not speak; Of our records as honorable
soldiers we are not ashamed; our capaci-
ties MS officers, let the appearance, disci-
pine and efficiency of the once rude ma
terial Of our command indicate, yet, Sir,
you virtually say we are unfit to join in o
procession to celebrate tho time hon red
anniversary of our existence as nation.
For what cause do you thus grossly insult
usl The only provocation we have given
is services performed for our country. We
have never molested the citizens of this
town. We are what we arc and where we
arc in obedience to the authority which we
suppose you have st0orn 10 support. We are
not going to deny that the people of this
town havo Us much right to BIO dissatisfied
with the employment Of negro soldiers, 90
to be rebels.
We have no requests to make for kind
ness, or social recognition on their part
let them turn up thor noses Mt us If they
choose not go out when We are around
close the doors-shut their eyes, and hold
their noses while we pass by, we will not
complain about that; but do not say any
more that lanai men will not celebrate the
Fourth of July because United States sol-
diers march along the streets.
WILLIAM N DARNELL,
Capt. 86th U s. Coored Infantry,
On behalf Of the Officers Of the Regiment.
Some time after the receipt of the
above communication, the following
from Capt. P. w. HARTs, Judge
Advocate at this post, was handed
in for publication:
BATON RoueE, La, July eth, 1865.
Filters Gazette and Comet In your paper
of to-day appears an editorial in which
you attempt to explain the "nature of the
cause that kept member Of good and loyal
white men, both in as we'll ~ out of the
army, from participating in the patriotic
ceremonies of the Fourth of July"
That tho citizens of this place, with
few noble exceptions, refused to join in the
observance of the day around which clus-
ter 30 many hallowed memories 10 la
mentable fact; but the reasons assigned by
them for their non action, appear the most
frivolous-not to say disloyai.
1t Is not forgotten how the dlsloyal citi-
2ens of this State not many months since
insulted the white troops of the United
States, who garrisoned their towns; that,
became dangerous practice and has now
assumed the milder form of insulting only
colored soldiers.
That there are many good and loyal
citizens in Baton Rouge know from per-
sonal acquaintance, and it is equally we'll
known that there are here many cowardly
traitors, who afraid to meet us in the field,
remained OF home, took the cath, violated
it when convenient, and now are the very
men who prevented the civil associations
from joining in the parade of the Fourth
that day which during the last four years
has become 30 doubly dear to every true
patriot.
That the negro is free, that he has been
q good soldier, and that he deserves
share Of the glory Of putting down the
great rebellion, are facts as firmly fixed -