The National tribune., 1902-03-20

army defending it opened the way for tn
immediate consideration of number o
important questions.
While the Emancipation Proclamation
was strongly opposed by large eemen
Of citizens in the loyal States, it did no
challenge opposition in the Army of thr
Tennessee. Officers and soldiers alike
stood firmly by President Lincoln upoI
this important question, and when tht
War Department proposed to organize
regiments of cOlOred troops the action re
ceiyed the Endorsement of the rank ana
file of the army. To test the feelings OF
meeting was arranged in NicksburG
which was attended by a number of rcgi
mentS. Gen. John A. Logan delivered an
able and eloquent address, indorsing the
action of the Government on the negro
question and faYoring the immediate mus,
tering into the service of as many col
ored regiments as could be organized. He
encouraged officers and soldiers of the
Army Of the Tennessee to accept commits
siOns in colored regiments.
He declared that the negroes of the
South, having been emancipated rs a
great war measure, should now be given
an opportunity to assist in the struggle
for the Union, and thereby contribute to
establishing and maintaining their own
freedom.
The soldiers unanimously indorsed these
proDnSitions, and the work of organizing
colored regiments went rapidly forward.
On July II Gen. Grant wrote as fol-
lows to Gen. Lorenzo Thomas, AdJutant-
General of the Army: Il am anxious to
get as many of these negro regiments as
possible. and to have them full and com
pletely equipped. l am particularly de-
sfrous of organizing Il regiment OF heavy
artillerists from the negroes to garrison
this place, and shall do so as soon as pos
sibla.'
The enlistment of cOlored troops
aroused the Indignation of the Confeder-
ate Government and their commanding
officers in the field.
They refused at first TO recognize negro
troops as soldiers, and declared that these
people would be treated as runaway
slaves and their white officers as Grim
inals who had stolen slave property.
1t having been reported to Gen. Grant
that an officer and some negro soldiers
captured by the Confederates at Alilli-
ken's Bend had been hanged, he wrote
letter TO Gen. Richard Taylor, command
ing the Confederate forces in west Lou
isiana, of which the following is an ex-
tract:
II feel no inclination to retaliate for
the offenses of irresponsible persons, but
if it is the policy of any General intrusted
with the command of troops to show no
quarter. or to punish with death prison
ers taken in battle L will accept the is
sue. 1t may be you propose different
line of policy toward black troops and Of
ficers commanding them to that practiced
toward white troops. If so, | can assure
you that these colored troops are regular
ly mustered into the service of the United
States. The Government, and all officers
under the Government, are bound TO give
the same protection to these troops that
they do to any other troops"
The National Government having en-
listed these colOred men, mustered them
into the service, armed them. and placed
them on the fighting line. Gen. Grant was
determined that they should receive the
same treatment rs white soldiers if cap
tured by Confederate forces.
On Aug. 9. 1868, President Lincoln
wrote Gen. Grant as follows on this SUBJ
ject:
Gen. Thomas has gone again to the
Mississippi Valley, with the view of rails
ing cOlOred troops. l have no doubt that
you are doing what you reasonably can
upon the same subject. / believe it is a
resource which, if vigorously applied now,
VIII soon close this contest. IT works
doubiy, weakening the enemy. and
strengthening us. We were not fully ripe
for it until the river was opened Now.
L think 1OUOOO can, and ought to be- or
sanized along its shores. relieving all the
Whte troops TO serve elsewhere. Mr. Da-
Wis understands you as believing that the
Emancipation Proclamation has helped
some IN your military operations. | am
very glad if this is sO.''
ADJ t-Gen. Thomas devoted much time
10 the work Of organizing colOred regi-
mentS in Mississippi; he had special and
1uli authority from the President and
Secretary of War to select officers for
these regiments and have them mustered
into the service. The work of raising
large force of colOred troops so well be-
gun at Nicksburg went forward actively
in other States of the South until tbere
were mustered into the military service of
the United States some scores OF regi-
ments Of cOlored soldiers.
THE COTTON QUESTION.
Another important question which was
pressed upon the atteE:ion of Gen. Grant
was the earnest demand of many traders
Of the North, hacked by Hon. Salmon p.
Chase. Secretary Of the Treasury, to open
up trade relations in the Southern States.
making the garrisOned cities and towns
held by the Union forces as their base.
The cotton manufacturers of the North
were anxious to secure shipments of cot
ton from every available point: there was
great dearth of cotton throughout the
world as result of the civil war and the
blockade of Southern ports by the Ma
The Treasury Department exercised
control over the trade relations between
the Northern States and the States in re-
belion.
Many enterprising men were anxious
10 engage actively in trade at all the i'm
portant military stations in Gen Grants
department. and arrange to have citizens
living beyond the military lines of the
Union army bring in cotton for sale TO
Memphis, Tenn, and NickSburg and Nat
chez. Miss
The Secretary OF the Treasury eyer-
Glsed The authority Of granting Trade
i'erniits. and persons armed with these
important papers were often visitors 10
the various military headauarterS.
Gen Grant was not favorable 10 es-
tabishing trade relations with the peonia
Of the Confederate States beyond his mil
ltary Zines. His fixed opinion was that II
would he the means Of SuDplviug the
South with articles required in military
service and would necessarily prolong the
war; lilt fla" pressure on Secretary Chase
was 50 great that he favored n plan for
operating trade with non-cOmbafanis In
the South who might bring cotton and
other articles into the Union lines
On July 4. 1863. Secretary Chase wrote
ten Grant, at Nicksburg, as follows: Il
hno That u rigorous line within districts
occupied by our military forces. from he
Yond 'ghich no cotton or other produce
can be brought. and within which no
trade can be carried on, gives rise TO Sc
NfN Il