St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1953-10-30

were large numbers Of colored
Americans in uniform. But from
that date on the increasing total
ity OF war, with the marked social
progress Of the Negro, combined
10 focus more and more atten-
ton upon the Negroes status in
our Armed Forces. Nevertheless,
segregation in the Army didn't
cease until combat experience
proved the right OF the Negro
race as a whole TO full-fledged
membership in the team. That
proof goes back long way.
crispus Attucks. colored, was
one OF the first Americans TO fall
In the Boston Massacre, One
Salem Poor OF Captain Adams
company in Colonel Frye's regi-
ment" was cited for extreme
bravery at the Battle OF Bunker
Hin A single regiment from
Rhode Island. which won mention
in half q dozen battles. organized
by the famous Nathaniel Greene.
appears 10 have been the only
ail-Negro unit. Yet individual per-
Torrance by coiored patriots was
recognized. most signally in Vir-
ginia, where the legislature en-
acted a law 10 free all former
slaves who had served honorably
In the army.
In the War Of 1912, colored
troops helped "old Hickory" An
drew jackson defend New Orleans
against the British. When Jack
son found himself with only 1000
defenders To meet an invading
army of 10000, his call for volun-
tcers was answered by many
Louisiana Negroes who materially
aided IN the British repulsc. Me-
groes also served In the Navy.
Those In the victorious squadron
ON Lake Erie were singled out for
their valor by Commodore Perry
The civil War was the first con-
fiict In which Negro soldiers were
deliberately segregated into speei.
fled organizations, Results were
not generally encouraging. as
might have been expected from
the nature Of that struggle, Con-
federates opposed by Negro units
were reused 10 extra effort, Ne
gro education and participation In
American life was then extremely
meagrc. poorly fitting them to
oppose on the battlefield men
most OF them had been accustom-
ed TO call master" 80 short a
time previously
Yet exceptions there were. The
27th y. 8. Colored troops com
manded by Brgadicr General
Blackman. employed In the assault
on Fort Fisher. North Carolina,
in January. 1855, fought wen and
actually accepted the surrender
from the wounded Confederate
commander
There is no record OF a Negro
serving rs a commissioned officer
until the civil War. in which,
oddly enough, the first was APP
pointed by the Confederaey, ON.
GERS OF the Native Guard OF
New Orleans. enrolled In April.
1861 from the free colored popula-
ton OF that city. were commits
stoned by the Governor OF Louis
lana Later, after the fan OF New
Orleans, the Federal government
formed General Benjamin Buffers
Corps D'Atrique; three regiments
OF eolored infantry, serving under
white field officers, but with Ne
gro company commanders Major
Francis IL Dumas was the only
Negro 10 hold field rank. Only
after the active fighting was over
did the northern state, Massa.
chusetts foremost. begin TO com
mission Negro officers, other than
ehaplains and surgeons
Negro Regiments
The Act which reorganized the
Federal Army In 1866 stipulated
that "the enlisted men OF four
regiments OF infantry and two OF
cavalry shall be oolored men Re.
A