The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-06-27
THE CENTRAL DIRECTORY,
Colonel Porshey before the Com
mittee on Reconstruction

y On the application Of the Hon. Reverb
It johnson, of Maryland, Colonel Forshey. O
3 Texas. was summoned to appear before tn
: COMMITTEE to testify to the condition an,
me disposition Of the Estates lately in rebel
nc sgohE BY THE cHAIRSAN OF THE COMMITTEE
cL @. OF what State are you resident. anf
h, Ibow long? A. ! have resided twelve year:
mn lin Texas.
ra TO, From what State did you emigrate te
~, iTexase A. l claim to be a Virginian
l.. Though chiefly reaudin Ohio, whittier my
"a, FATHER removed from Virginia in my child
IN hood; received my collegiate education at
he Kenyon College. Ohio, my military and
Iscientiic elements at West Point; my life
- Iof manhood has been passed in Louisiana
-. land Texas.
in @. Have you been in the rebel service
ii and in what way? A. have served during
of. the war-was Lieut.. Col. of Engineers
no chiefly engaged in the defenses west of the
Va Mississippi. '7 g
ar @. What knowledge have you ofthe con.
ldtion and disposition of the people of the
I'M State lately in rebellion against the United
ss .lStates? A. I think / have pretty good
an knowledge as to the three Southwestern
I'd States, In which my acquaintance is very
q Extensive. and, perhaps, may assume to
bs .IEave fair degree Df general knowledge as
tn Ito the other Confederate States; at least
jhaye mace the matter continual subject
rysbf inquiry and observation, and without
nj knowing the kind information desired, will
he answer what can.
ar. @. What is the state Of public order and
lie obedience to the United States authorities
nd Bn Teyas, and the other States Of which
re you have knowledge? A. Good order and
iii obedience are universal in Texas and else
ali ghera, as | believe. 1t has never been
IRA otherwise in Texas, unless possibly ON the
:. iRio Grande frontier there may be occasion
nd sl exceptions among the turbulent clarac-
er tiers. that have no special habitation either
a side of the border. ~
nv @. Please state whether that good order
ID Fou describe is due to the presence and au-
m shortly Of the United States troops, and
IN whether, upon their removal. there would
:e. pot be disorder and disIoyalty? Alt is
,le certainly in no degree due to the presence
ly Of troops. In fact, any exceptions to the
ut remark may beimputed to the Irritating
en- fact that soldiers are about. Their
nv would be everywhere public blessing. un.
he less needed on the frontier to guard against
W Indians or Mezicans robbers. -
"a @. Why do yoa say Irritating" are thew
not well behaved2 A. Generally they are.
At bat their presence. is understood as an en-
re blem -four Submission. Every bayonet is
20 j symbol ofour sabjugation, and is viewed
nd as an evidence that our surrender and par
= pie are not received in good faith. We
ev heed no watching, and naturally dislike the
. Guards that watch US.
4 @. Would loyal men be safe among yon
" without Federal protection? A. All men
Il we're safe before there was any Federal au-
:. thority among us. After the surrender we
oe were months without officers or law A
n military order vacated or annalled all of
II, ;cials functions, and deprived Us of every
ct species of legal restraint, and for
,r months furnished no substitute for
% 5the authority suppressed, Troops have not
10 fat any time reached our interior generally
land yet, throughout the vast area ofTexas
4. lust replenished by The return OF fifty thou.
,e Island disbanded soldiers, there Yves as good
l. order and as much respect for rights and
n morals as in any northern State or else
"a where. | regard it as II great test of our
u civilization; wish the fact to be put on re-
u cord in our favor. The same was true. as
q / believe, in most of the southern States.
% Not single resistance to Federal authori-
+ ty has ever taken place to the presgt day:
q and when it is considered that neatly half
% million of men have iast .returnadfrom a
v conflict of four years, in which tAsy have
fought for Datioaal life and honor, We think
8, they should claim o respect that sy6uld re
3, move sentinels and dshand the. armies.
@ white and black that watch us.
It Q. 1t is generally believed that the troops
), are kept to hamiliate the people? A.. Per-
i. haps that would too strongly express It.
]. They feel it is calculated to humiliate. and
q that those who order it are reckless of this
q fact. We balieveit to be obvious to all,
= both North and South. that negro troops
y placed to guard their late masters, is viewed
! with repugnance and proper Indignation by
! every man, woman and child of true spirit,
no the South; and some of the military
/ treatment Of the South is accepted BY them
las intended to degrade them 8
o. Have negro iroons horn oonoro,lv
Isent as earrisons in Texase A. Fortnnat VOTE,
lly they have not. On the frontier they have
been sent ii great numbers. hnt we have
VERY little ponnIation there shd do not fae]
l;t s8t.(iaIvpston thew bavsiboJ tbo,n ,rv'
tonly PASSING to or from other ssrv;ca !
fear that the results world have baan GOV.
Frious had thew been re,,esaty aant tbrona,.
out Texas. There are some tb;nos ou n.y., va
turned soldiers would NOT hear and bs.,
sIlieve that il ono q'ha orast,on 80 "a tho
safety of lovaI men have NOT G,iv ons w w.