Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-03-20

SOty OIdlo W Inc luldub EcpuOAACs DSB
leave to give few statistics showing
the share which each section of the
country bore in securing our indepen.
cence. -.~ .. ...---. -.
The whole number of soldiers enlist
ed for the Continental service during
the war was 23l, 1863. OF these Massa-
chusetts furnished 81 ,907, and all the
States south Of Pennsylvania but 59,-
493, being S,4l4 less than that single
State. New England furnished 49,
$50. being more than half the number
furnished to Congress during the war.
South Carolina furnished but $500 !;
only 752 more than Rhode Island, the
smallest State in the Confederacy, and
only one-6fth as many as Connecticut,
and one-hslf as many as New Hamp-
shire, then an almost unbroken wilder
ness. But have occupied too much
of your time in showing the part which
our colored people bore in securing our
National Independence.
| In this connection / cannot forbear
to describe a scene which witnessed
in my boyhood, and which has an indi-
rect bearing upon the question before
US. In 1925 the great and good Gener-
al Lafayette visited this country, and
received everywhere the hVeliest
demonstrations Of the gratitude of the
American people. And well he might,
for in our darkest hours, when the
hearts of patriots began to fail them,
he left the luxuries and refinement of
the Count of France-he left his young
bride and the comforts of home, and
embarked upon a ship, freighted at his
own expense, with men and munitions
of war, to throw into the trembling
scale his name and influence, and
means, in aid of our infant republic
We all knew that he became the bo-
som friend of Washington, and the
gallant services which he rendered our
country. During his triumphal tour,
he visited the city of Hartford, where
then, drummer boy, had the pleas
ure of seeing him. | well remember
the splendoF of that summer day
He was welcomed by an immense mill
tary parade. The side walks aswell as
the windows, and balconies, and roofs
of the houses on main street were
crowded with living mass of people,
as he, in company with Governor VOL
cott, rode in an open barouche, drawn
by six beautiful white horses. Before
reaching the platform, in front of the
State House, he passed under a tri-
umphal arch trimmed with evergreens
and flowers, and bearing upon its front
the words: ''Welcome, Lafayette ~
Ascending the platform, after the cheer
ing had subsidized, there was heard in
the distance the. shrill notes of fife
and the rattle of single drum. All
eyes were turned in the direction of
the music, when there was seen ap-
preaching in single file led by fife
and drum-major, one hundred and fifty
soldiers of the revolution, marching
to the tune of Yankee Doodle. At the
rear of that procession of veterans was
an old decrepid negro. As they reach
ed the platform and mounted its steps,
each man was presented to the Geuer-
al, and each received warm greeting.
l could but wonder, in my youthful
i ignorance, what business that old ne
gro had in the crowd, and whether the
Marquis would offer him his hand, or
more than the tips of his fingers
Judge, then, of my surprise when l
saw, as he came up, the General throw
his arms around him, and clasp him in
a fraternal embrace, while the tears of
the noble Marquis and the humble ne
gro were freely intermingled. I soon
| learned the secret. That negro was
of the youthful General during his SER
vices in America 1858
OF the services rendered by the
colored people during our last war with
England, shall speak but briefly
The State Of New York passed an act
on the oath of October, 1914, "to au-
thorize the raising of two regiments of
men of color"
l make the following extracts from
letter written by DR.. Usher Parsons,
dated Providence, Oct. Is, 1862: ain
1914 our feet sailed to the upper lakes
to cooperate with Col. Croghan at Mac
kinac. About one in ten or twelve of
the crew were blacks. In 1916 was
Surgeon of the Java, under Commo-
dore Perry. The white and colored
seamen messed together. About one
in six or eight were colored. In 1919 l
was Surgeon of the Guerrero, under
Commodore Mscdonough, and the pro-
Commodore Perry, in a letter to
Commodore Chsuncey, before the bat
tie of Lake Erie, said "that the men
sent him are a motely set; black sol
diers and boys" Commodore Chaun-
cey responded somewhat sharply, say
ing: 1 have yet to learn that the
color of the skin, or the cut and trim
mings of the coat can affect mans
qualifications or usefulness. l have
nearly fifty blacks on board of this ship,
and many of them are among my best
men," Perry had no cause 70 complain
of his men after they had been in ac-
ton. .- ..
The Address of Gen. Jackson to his
colored soldiers, just before the battle
of New Orleans, is a memorable docu-
ment. 1 make the following extracts:
ITO the men of Color-Soldiers -
From the shores of Mobile 1 collected
you to arms. 1 invited you to share
in the perils and to divide the glory
with your white countrymen. l ex-
pect much from you, but you surpass
my hopes. have found in you that
noble enthusiasm that impels to great
deeds. -----. .. i
SOLDIERS: The President of the
United States, shall be informed of
your conduct on the present occasion,
and the voice of the Representatives of
the American nation, shall applaud your
valor as your General now praises your
ardor. The enemy is near. His sails
cover the lakes. But be brave and
united, and if he finds us contending
among ourselves, it will be for the
prize of Valor and fame its noblest re-
ward" ..
Ofthe conduct of the colored people
during our last struggle to preserve the
national unity, l have not much to say.
The facts are so recent and so well IN
derstood by all, that l will not occupy
your time by any lengthy statement
in detail. The whole number of col
ored troops mustered into the service
of the United States was lS6, ,087. The
loss during the war from all causes was
68,I78, or over one-third of all enlisteds
The greatest number in the service at
any one time was l28, l56.
The number of colored troops en-
listed from Ohio is I, 900. The number
credited to Ohio is but 5,092, but this
does not include the men recruited by
John NJ. Langston, Esq, for a Massa-
chusetts Regiment.
! The following statement is furnished