The National tribune., 1903-06-11

'The Governor and Commander-in-C Chief
relying implicitly upon the loyalty of the
free colored people of the city and State,
for the protection of their horaes, and be
lieving that the military organizations
which existed prior to Feb. 10, 1861.
should exist for and during the war. calls
upon them to maintain their organization
and be prepared for such orders as may
be transmitted to them"
They did maintain their organization,
but that is all. In another month New
Orleans had fallen into the hands of the
Union army. During the short interreg-
mum which prevailed between the evacu-
alton of the city and the occupation by
the Union forces, the Foreign Legion.
consisting of the French, Spanish and
British subjects, in New Orleans, was
called out by Mayor Monroe to preserve
order, but the Native Guards were is-
nored. They did not leave New Orleans
with the new Confederate troops. but re-
mained behind. practically disbanded.
There is little reason to doubt that the
colored men who organized this regiment
intended to fight for the Confederate
cause. Had they done so. had they been
allowed to do so. it would not only have
been a curious incident, but it might have
had important effects. Thus Jefferson
Davis might have conceived the idea of
arming the negroes at the beginning of
the civil war instead of near the end of
the struggle. when it was too late.
The Native Guards, however. were
treated with n scant courtesy that killed
any enthusiasm they might have felt for
the Confederate cause. They were sworn
in and mustered out of the service and
called back again only in the last few
desperate days before the capture of the
city by Farraguts fleet.
-Four months after his occupation OF
the city Gen. Butler took up the work
where the Confederates dropped it. He
saw the possibility of utilizing the free
men of color who had had some military
education and discipline, and on Aug. %
1862, he issued an order calling upon all
members of the Native Guards to enlist
in the service of the United States.
None of the men who had taken promi
nent part in the organization of this regi
ment for the Confederate service re-enlist
ed on the other side. but some of the
rank and file did. The First Louisiana
Native Guards was organized. with Lieut..
Col Bassett in command and with all the
other officers colOred. The regiment fough
with courage and distinction at Port Hud
son. where one of the Captains, Andre
Caillioux. lost his life and became the here
| of the negro troops.
The military spirit of the negroes dice
out with the civil war. Even during Re
publican days no success was met with il
organizing negro militia. Under Demo
cratic regime several negro militia com
panies were organized, the last surviva
being Il company named in honor of Gen
Beauregard's son-in-law.
A few years ago the militia act passed
by the Louisiana Legislature suppressed
the Independent companies and got rid O
the negro militia. Thus it is that whil
Louisiana had negro militia companie
during all the days of slavery, when on,
of its negro regiments fought brave,y il
the war of 1872, and another offered it
service in the Southern cause in the civi
war, to-day, with all the negroes free
there is no negro military organization o
any kind.