The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-01-21
The SUN, SUNDAY, JANUARY u, 1883.

one Salem Poor. In the same engagement the
officers OF his regiment declared In a memorial
addressed to the General Court and still pro-
served In tho archives Of Massachusetts, that
he behaved like an experienced officer As well
as an excellent soldier. To set forth particu-
lars OF his conduct would be tedious. We
would only beg leave to say that In the person
OF this said negro centres brave and gallant
soldier. The reward duo to so great and dis
tinguished n character wo submit to the Con-
gress" Again. when Gen. Lee OF the American
army had been made prisoner. and 1t was de-
termincd. In order to bring about an exchange.
to penetrate the British lines and secure the
person OF Major-Gen Prescott. commanding
the royal troops at Newport II was negro who
obtained the post OF danger and Of honor and
effected the capture of the General with his own
hand. IL Ia further recorded In Dr. Lothrops
memoir Of Major Samuel Lawrence that this
officer at one time commanded COM
pany whose rank and flle were all negroes.
and that he had good reason to speak
with respect and gratitude OF their courage.
military discipline. and fidelity On one occa-
sion. while recommending. no got so far In adj
vance of his command that he was surrounded
and on the point Of boing made prisoner. But
his black soldiers. on discovering his peril.
rushed to his rescue and fought 80 desperately
that his deliverance was ultimately effected.
We may note also that ut the battle OF Rhode
Island. ono OF the severest engagements OF tie
war. tho newly raised black regiment under
Col. Greene distinguished itself BY leeds OF
valor rarely oQualed by veteran tr,oI 3 In any
country. According to Arnold. tho historian OF
Rhode Island. although these negroes were cx-
posed to u calling flank fro from the British
vessels. and occupied most unfavorablc
position at tho foot OF steep slope.
- thpv thrpa m trnya In hn Hnsaiana
who charged repeatedly down the hill to dis
lodge them" SO indomitable and destructive
was thoir resistance that on the day after tho
battle the Hossinn Colonel on whom the duty OF
attacking them had devolvcd applied to OK
change his command and so to New York. be-
cause he dared not lead his regiment to battle.
lest his men should shoot him for having
caused them so much loss" Three years after
ward Col. Greene. the commander Of this regi-
mont, composed mainly OF negroes and mulat-
toes. was surprised and killed at Points
Bridge. Now York; but his death WAS not
effected until his brave black soldiers had
been literally hacked to pieces in defending
their leader Mr.. Williams Is justified in call
ing this one of tho most touching incidents OF
the Revolutionary war.
In the last chapter Of this volume the author
enters on the consideration of slavery as n po-
litical and legal problem. and reviews the dis
cussion Of tho question in the Federal Convcn-
ton called to frame II Constitution. and in tho
State Conventions which adopted it. His study
OF the subject from n colorcd mans point of
view presents many points Of interest but we
shall defer notice Of them until the appearance
of the second volume, covering the period dur
ing which the status of slavery under the Con-
stitution engrossod 30 prcsminent Il share OF
public attention. Meanwhile. in taking leave
~ fire in I'm m nr
repeat that. while some exceptions may be
taken to it on the score OF workmanship. the
scope and thoroughncss Of the invest ia,ation
and the substantial results achieved will reflect
credit on the author and upon tho colored race.
In the judgment OF every candid reader.