The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-10
The FIRST NEGRO REGIMENT.
1T WAS RAISED ~ NEW ORLEANS
RON TIE FONFEDERACI.
Free Wen Of Color Ready in YsOl TO t1sht
for the SOuth--StOry Recalled bS
necent DlscOvcry- Never In Active
Seryice--Why II Was Mustered Out.

NEW ORLE ANS, May 0.-Soms War de-
uart men, officials were considerably sur
prlsed. "a few days ago, while compiling
tho List of soldiers who served during the
~yil war, to discover that regiment OF
negroes had been mustered into the Con-
secierate service from New Orleans.
This discovery has been described as
bringing to light forgotten incident OF
civil war history. There has been especial
comment on the fact that the Con-
federate States should have enlisted negro
eolders first and nearly year ahead OF
the United States.
1t Ii, of course, well known that the
Confederate Cabinet during the last years
Of the war seriously discussed the ADVISE
bility Or arming the negro slaves and en-
listing them to drive back the Northern
invaders, the slaves to be rewarded with
freedom for their services. Mr., Davis Is
saicf1tcshayt favored this plan. which was
propoAed only when the outlook for the
Confedefacy was desperate, and to have
abaptiotSed' II, not because he distrusted
the negroes, hut because 1t was pointed
out that to take them from the farms would
deprive the South Of its food supply.
But although the War Department has
dug Ut this interesting and forgotten fact
of the organization of negro Confederate
regiment, it has succeeded in collecting
very little information on the subject.
Il has found, Tor instance, the roll OF but
sjnpl8G eofbpany, commanded by Louis
I.ainsfI and it has been unable to get any
definite Information even as to that
company! pa.
It's not pbssible to give all the story
OF tklsTegtnhentS for much Of 1t has been
lost iftenae: but, DIS far asit goes, 1t is inter-
estinR, and especially interesting just now
in view of the attention being given through
out the country to thu relations OF the
whites, and negroes. 1t will throw some
liRht on these relations during the period
Of slaHegY.. e..
As is well known, battalion Of negroes
seryed under Cen jackson at the battle
of Eer. Orleans. They were mainly
mulattoes, a large proportion OF them men
driven from Hayti by the negroes and they
were commanded by mulatto, named
savsyT NGen. Jackson had sent from
Mobile proclamation calling upon the
fred men Of color Of New Orleans (emanci-
pated slaves or their descendents) to join
the whites in repulsing the British. After
the battle he corhpiimented the free men
of color--the word negro was offensive
to them-on their courage and discipline
Tnemiktary service, and the compliments
were treasured by the negroes for years
afteryfard, and gave them standing and
prestige Thereafter, on the anniversary
OF the battle Of New Orleans, the colored
battalion turned out on parade with the
Louisiana Legion.
The free men Of color had number
of privileges. They constituted con-
siderable portion Of the police force OF the
city as we'll as of the fire department.
Indeed, it was not until 1875 that the negro
fire companies were abolished by the city
government that. most unwillingly--
on the revolt Of the white companies, and
their refusal to divide the fire engines with
the -colored men.
At the time the civil war broke out New
ORGANS had a negro population Of $4,000.
Of waom nearly half, or I? 900, we're free. and
II 900 slaves. The free negro population
had been as high as $4,000 at one time but
the growing excitement over the negro
question had driven many Of them to France.
for they we're mainly mulattoes or quad
rooms, speaking French and with consid-
cradle proportion Of French blood. Those
whs remained in New Orleans were gen
Some OF them had received a good education
abroad; 4 number Of them owned slaves Of
their own.
Their position was curious when the Civil
War cana oh, with slavery playing SO large
Q strong military sentiment in New Orleans
and Louisiana, and in March and April,
military companies sprang up by the Dozen
Among those who caught the fever were
the free people of color Of New Orleans.
A number of them were SONS and grand.
sons Of the negroes who distinguished
themselves at the battle of New Orleans
and won the praise Of jackson voluntarily.
The most prominent OF them issued call
for meetingtto express Their views on the
protection of the South, and New Orleans
In paf1iCular, against the enemy.
The meeting was held April 81. 1851.
There were $500 free negroes present,
two-thirds Of the free men of color in New
Orleans. This resolution was passed:
belong. as soon as n call is made on them by
the Governor OF the State. will be ready to
take up arms and form themsse a, into com
Rethcr with the other inhabtants Of the city.
si ,s s1ssd ahhllsH W '' 70 ''''
The necessary call. was made by, Gov.
MOORE snd ths free men n OF color 3esaa
OF Highf companies, under the name of the
Naf1ve Guards Of Louisiana. They were
unAkr negro officers who were commissioned
blythe Governor. .Jordan Noble, the negro
drummer hoy of Choimette, who died here
only the other day. undertook to raise
nekro company In jefferson parish.
There Is no reason to doubt that the men
who organized the Native Guards were in
eatnest 10 their offers: Of service to the
State 81 Louisiana and the Confederacy.
All their interests lay in the South, Many
of.heta were slave owners. The defeat
of IN south could only injure them; and as
they were already free, no emancipation
could De az any benefit to them. while the
ballot for negroes was not dreamed OF by
Ms. Lincoln AT that time.
II the Native Guards did not figure con-
spsaiously In tho Confederate service, as
tho Choctaw Indians did, 1t was due to con-
ditious that arose soon after they we're
orgNnfZud 4 number Of free negroes were
, 70 ed ,nlasQlerading as slaves and travelling
on slave passes As these negroes were
md nly from the West, the conclusion was
rel ehed-and in all probability, correctly
TIL they we're being employed to learn the
mi 6tary preparation Of the South. Some
ofthese free negroes were arrested; and
wi lie the, threat of selling them into sav-
err Wa hot Carried out. az nothing could be
prItved against them, it produced sus-
pi& ION and distrust Of all free negroes,
frdm which the Native Guards suffered.
bhe Native Guards we're sworn In as a
fsnteers, They turned out in the big
.neItary review of Nov. %, 1851, and It was
thHn that ron was mace OF Capt Lanez's