The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-05-14
A Veterans Letter.

Mr. EDIToR-A score and thirteen years
ago this month Robert f. Lee stood beneath
an apple tree at Appomattox and offered his
sword to General Grant, token of the I'M
conditional surrender of the Confederate
troops to the Union forces. This act closed
the war of the Rebellion, and following fast
upon it the soldiers of both sides we're sent
back to their homes, to the loved ones who
waited with fears and tears for their coming,
Muskets were carried away to cottages,
suspended above doors or stored in corners,
there to remain silent souvenirs of the great
strife when North contended against South,
and father struggled against son. The valiant
victors, gathering together the dread nstru-
ments OF war, placed upon every cannon a
wreath, upon every blade an olive leaf.
Washington, the headquarters of military
affairs, was soon stripped of its tents, its
hospitals and soldiers, and again settled
down 20 what all hoped would be an I'M
broken peace. Where tents were stretched
sod was spread, beds of roses were made,
and above flowers and grass there arose gran
lite and marble monuments to the men who
became heroes in the years from 81 to '65.
But now we have been awakened from a
'deep dream OF peace" The awful cries of
Cuban children and women starving mothers
dying with dead babes upon barren breasts,
ghastly forms of hopeless childhood and
helpless age piteousy pleading for bread
have at last aroused this nation.
Congress has ordered Spain to put an end
to all this suffering by removing from the
iula oil off al 10
leave the place to the Cubans, the people to
whom it belongs. Spain. with an obstinacy
equaled only by her cruelty, has refused to
obey. The President has ordered 125 600
men to arms, our fleet lies at the entrance to
Havana Harbor, the island is blockaded and
war is on.
In the city OF Washington and all other
cities of our great nation is the sound of
preparation. the music Of the boisterous
drum, the silver voices of heroic bugles.
There are thousands of soldiers and tramp.
ing of troops coming to the commanders
call.
And now we are wondering what part tn o
colored soldier will be permitted to perform
in this conflict at hand. We know what he
will do il the opportunity be given. We
know his courage and patriotism, and only
wish to know what chance will be accorded
him for the display Of those virtues In the
past wars he has enriched the battenelds of
this land with blood. The patriot negro,
Crispus Attacks, was felled by the first shot
fired in the Revolutionary war, and WASH
burn, in his "History of Leicester tells US
that one Of the most decisive events of the
battle of Bunker HILL June IT, 1776 was the
death of the British Major. Pitcairn, at the
hands of Private Peter Salem, negro SOL
der. G. W. Williams. in his history. relates
that fourteen American officers on Decem-
Der 5, 1875. commended to Congress the yalor
of Salem Poor. The memorial said in part:
| 'He behaved like an experienced officer as
well as an excellent soldier. We beg leave
to say in the person of this said negro
centres brave and gallant soldier. The
reward due to so great and distinguished
character we submit to the Congress-" This
same historian tells us that 5000 negro SOL
diers served in the American army in the
Revolutionary War.
In the War of 1912 they fought hercely and
faithfully. On December 49, 1914, General
Andrew Jackson, in his written address to
the colored troops. praised them for their
physical qualities and continuing said: ~
have found in you united to these qualities
that noble enthusiasm which impels to great
deeds"
In the Civil War 1895 negro soldiers
fought beneath the Union flag which chad
only been to them flag of stripes on which
no star OF glory had ever shone for them"
In that great contest the colored soldiers,
herosm was sublime. I care not what
laures may await the negro in the Academy
of arts and letters, what triumphs the future
shall unfold for him in discoveries and in
ventiOns, what honors he may win in any of
his walks or ways of life; he cannot eclipse
the brilliant record Of his military career on
batteneds whose names adorn song and
story. History tells of his valor. At Olustee
he mingled his blood with the bravest and
| best.
At NIiliken's Bend he stood the test "A
though his nerves we're threads OF steel. At
Petersburg he fell among the first, giving his
| life for the cause he had learned to love. At
Deep Bottom, with songs upon his lips he
marched into the enemys face and died with
ball or bayonet in his breast. At Fort Pilot
Fort Wagner, Fair Oaks, Nashville, Fort
Fisher and Hatch's Run he won place
among the warriors Of the world.
In this Spanish. American War | expect to
see him standing in the shadow of turret
and fort, proving himself a fearless fighter.
| expect again to see him out on the field in
the awful storm of battle, Drawing the shower
of shot and shell in his effort for Cuba's
| freedom. GEO. W. GREEN.
OF Company J., oh Md. L. s. G. T.
CEcMroN. May 8, 1893.