The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-31

them had never heard of, the black heroes Of the
hhevolutlon, that the very first blood shed was
Crlspus httucks, black man. They had for
gotten Major Jeffry, also black man, who
during the campaign of Major-General VAndrew
jackson, in Mobile, filed the position of ''regu-
lar" among the soldiers.
In the charge made by General Stump against the
enemy, the Americans were repulsed and thrown
into disorder, Major Stump being forced to retire
IN manner by no means desirable under the
circumstances. Major Jeffry, then but com
mon soldier, seeing the condition of his com
rades, and cOmprehending the disastrous results
about to befall them, rushed forward, mounted
horse, took command of the troops, aud by an
heroic effort rallied them to the charge, COM
pletely routing the enemy, who left the Ameri-
cans masters of the field. He at once received
from the General the title of major" though
he could not according to the American policy,
so commission him.
Governor Eustis, of Rhode Island in his able
speech against slavery in Missouri December
blacks formed an entire regiment and discharged
their duty with zeal and fidelity. The gallant
defense of Red Bank, in which they bore part,
is among the proofs of their valor." In this con-
test it will be remembered that four hundred
men met and repulsed, after terrible and san
culinary struggle, fifteen hundred Hessians, led
by Count Donop. The glory of the defense of
Red Bank, which has been pronounced one of
the most heroic actions of the war belongs in
reality to black men.
"ln the attack made upon the American lines
near Croton river on the 18th of May, 1881,
Colonel Greene, the commander of theregiment,
was cut down and mortaly wounded, but the
sabres of the enemy only reached him through
the bodies of his faithful guard of blacks, who
hovered near him to protect him, and eUery one
Of aCItOnl 9odS killed."
DR.. Harris, n Revolutionary veteran, in an ad-
dress delivered in 1872 before the Congrega-
tiOnal and Presbyterian Anti-Slavery Society,
held at Francestown, N. H., said:-'I fought,
my hearers, for that liberty you enjoy Then
liberty meant something. u served in the
Revolution, in General Washington's army,
three years under one enlistment. When sta
toned in Rhode Island, the regiment to which
belonged was once ordered to thanking posi-
tion. This pass was everything, both to us and
to the enemy; it was post of imminent danger.
They attacked us with great fury but were re-
pulsed. They were reinforced and again attacked
us with more vigor and determination, and
again were repulscd. Again they reinforced,
and attacked lis the third time with the most
desperate courage and resolution, but third
time were repulsed. The contest was fearful.
Our position was hotly disputed and as hotly
maintained.
Zone of my Objects" said Dr. Harris, Sin
stating these facts, is this: there was black
regiment in the same situation, yes, u regiment
of negroes, fighting for liberty and indepen-
dence; not white man among them but the
officers, stationed in this dangerous and respOn-
sible position. Had they been unfathful or
given away before the enemy, all would have
been lost. Three times i'll succession were they
attacked with most desperate yalor and fury, by
well-disciplined and veteran troops, and three
times did they successfully repel the assault,
and thus preserve our army from capture. They
fought through the war, were brave hardy troops,
and helped to gain our liberty and indepen-
dence."
General jackson gave his testimony in regard
to the soldiery qualities and courage of the
black troops ut New Orleans in 1914. | think it
has been fully proved that in, all the great con-
tlicts in these United Statea the coored men
have displayed great courage, loyalty and
patriotism us any other class of her citizens.
We are all aware of the deep hatred existing
towards cOlored troops in the late Rebellion by
the white people. In this and other States the
Governors issued prOclamatiOns forbidding their
transit over their territory, and compelled them
to reach the seat of war by steamers or sailing
vessels, to avoid being mobbed. as was the case
in this city on several occasions, one being a
sergeant-major in South Carolina regiment,
who escaped by reaching and finding shelter in
the house of a colored citizen, followed by u
band of desperadOcs.
Fellow -citizens:-It would be superfluous for
me to recount TO you the daring deeds which
characterized our departed brethren on many n
hard-tought battlefield. No danger, not death
itself deferred them, but amid the roaring of the
cannon, the bursting of the shell, and the sharp
crack of the rifle dealing blood and carnage,
cutting down thousand and tens of thousands OF
their comrades, they continued to rally under
and bear aloft that flag which they so dearly
loved, and pressed forward, as was attested by
their immortal deeds at Port Hudson, Olustee
Fort Wagner Petersburg, Charleston, Rich
mond, and other places too numerous to men.
| tiOn, and aided greatly in compelling the Con
| federate army to surrender to the great hero O
| the age, the illustrous General U S. Grant (thC
| black mans friend, the man of few words bu
| great deeds), at AppomattoX Court House, Vlr
ginia.
| In bringing my remarks to a close, for | vii
| not weary yOnr patience, permit me to say those
men did not die in vain, but gave liberty, citizen
| ship, and participation in the Government (bOtl
| State and NatOnaD to you, and to me- and tC
| our people throughout the whole country. We
| can boast of our Senators and Representatives
| our Lieutenant-Governors, our ministers anC
| consul-generas to foreign nations, and ere long
| no doubt "our Senators and Representatives il
| Congress assembled" We can truly eXclaim
| "The world moves"
| II conclusion, my friends, you are aware tina
| we have convened here to-day under the auspice
| of Post No. 81 of the Grand Army of the Re
| public aided by the ladies of the Coloret
| Women's Lincoln Association, by whose polit
| invitation | stand here to address you on thi
| occasion-an association that took great interest
| during and since the war, in the welfare of tn
| sick and wounded soldiers, and alleyiated as ia
as they were able, their wants and sufferings
and now that their bodies have been consigne
to the deep clods of the valley, they feel the
still have work to do,
| Consequently, we arc here this afternoon t
again decorate with gHrlands the graves of thos
| of our brethren who laid down their lives on tn
altar of their country and whose names should
| and no doubt will, be indelibly impressed upo
the hearts of our people from generation t
| generation.
Let us teach our children to 90 and do like
wise, and continue the good example set theI
by their fathers and mothers. 1t is right an
| proper that we should meet together at state
| periods, to strew with the beautiful flowers
the field the graves of those now sleeping the