New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-19
ruE GRAND ARMY AID rrE coIoR I1yE.

THE GRAND ARMY AND The COLOR LINE.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune
sir: The committee at Detroit sent out to report
mon the recommendations Of the outgoing Commander
inChief as 10 the project OF forming separate depart
ments for the Grand Army OF the Republic in some OF
the Southern states deserve great credit for making the
report they did. 1t can be summed up in a few words
II man good enough to fill the bill as Union
soldier in time of need and did his duty he Is fit 70 be
G.. A. r. man now. That report was adopted, thanks
10 the committee. This put the writer In mind Of on
incident that happened while his regiment was in
Florida It was shortly after General seymours forces
were badly used at the Ousta aeht. our brigade
General Ames commander, was sent down from Folly
Island ;. c.. posthaste to reinforce Seymour, whose
troops had fallen back from Olusta to Jacksonville and
had fortified the place Among other duties required OF
the regiment 10 relay railroad tracks out to Baldwin
station. which had been torn up Some other regiments
or rather squads from regiments, were required TO
get timber for rebuilding bridges and all such work
AS were off duty and we understood that there
plenty OF fox squirrels in the liveoak timber de
C1ded 70 try my hand some with cOmrade whom !
will introduce Jimmy young from the
Emerald Isle who had not long been in this country
and had enlisted in Company d. He good soldier
but Gov1f the colored our hunt for squirrels
took the camp Of the woodchoppors, and naturally
enough sat down on log and began to chat with
our comrades All OF a sudden shot fell thick and
fast all around from the underbr7Ish. The attack
was unexpected that every was taken by sur
prise and naturally every tried 10 cover himself
BY tree or some kind OF protection. Jimmy" made
good Of his legs, and he could run like deer I
close behind him Our direction took up
little hill and Just as reached the top OF IL
eyes met a welcome sight. Coming up the other side
of the hill was battalion Of colored troops, sent out
By the commanding officer who must have had through
the information Of scouts. knowledge Of the bush
whackers intentions gap made in the line 10
let the fugitves escape. ard had chance to form
in the rear Of detachment which made short work
Of the bushwhackers In front. The "Johnnies" were
more surprised than the choppers for the yell and the
volley that poured forth from that colOred battalion
was one never to be forgotten II is needless 70 say
that the JOhnnes7 left in possession Of the field,
and Jimmy" reganed his rife and cap which he had
lost in the flight After got all quieted down and
Strengthened out I asked:
What do you think Of the 'nagur' nowl'
well said Jimmy they have as good right
70 get killed as meself7
That was all could ever get out Of our young
Irshman. The lesson complete. well remem-
her when at one time we were drawn up 10 lire TO do
work that made each think Of those at home, by
slight manoeuvre and few words of command.
colOred regiment moved directly in front as we
faced and when the word given 10 march our line
"a, ordered 10 stand still. Every old soldier Knew
what that meant. II meant death 70 many In our
front. while We held the provo line. DID any
one say, Hold on there, I will not have a colored
man take my place. Not one call was mades while
their white comrades. who stood fast. breathed
prayer u hope for them that they might come back
unharmed Not one man objected account Of color.
They forward and did their duty calamity Many
a. 10 color then. There question as 10 com
radsship then. Why should there be now That com
mttee Detroit deserves the thanks Of every Amer'
Net-YOrk, Aug H. l1Ol.