General Washington and General Jackson, on Negro soldiers

GENERAL WASHINGTON

AND

GENERAL JACKSON,

ON ,^

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NEGEO SOLDIERS.

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PHILADELPHIA:

HENEY CAREY B A I R D,

1863.

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WASHINGTON AND JACKSON

ON

NEGRO SOLDIERS.

We are in the midst of a great war for the existence of free institu-
tions.

No one can be so blind as not to see that the triumph of the Con-
federacy would insure the overthrow of rational liberty.

In the heart of the Rebel States there exist four millions of an op-
pressed race, who would gladly aid us in the war we are carrying on,
but from regard to the feelings and interests of our enemies we have
hitherto refused their assistance.

That we should have hesitated so long to accept and secure the co-
operation of these people, shows a degree of forbearance unequalled in
history.

There certainly does exist at this time a strong prejudice in the minds
of many against employing Negroes as soldiers, but the following ex-
tracts from authentic documents will show that this prejudice is un-
founded, and that our wisest and best men, our bravest and most patriotic
generals, our Washington, and our Jackson, did not hesitate to solicit, to
employ, and to reward the military services of Negroes in the War of
the Revolution, and again, within the memory of many of us, in our
last war with England.

If our fathers in 1812, and our grandfathers in ltt6, did not hesitate
to put muskets into the hands of Negroes, why should we ? If Wash-
ington and Jackson thought it no disgrace to lead Negroes to battle,
why should any officer now hesitate to follow their example ?

George Lirermore, Esq., has lately published "An Historical Re
search respecting the Opinions of the Founders of the Republic on
Negroes as Slaves, as Citizens, and as Soldiers." As its size and

(3)

scarcity prevents its general circulation, the following extracts have
been taken from his work to bring the views of our ancestors relative to
the policy of Negro enlistments before the public.

Bancroft in his History of the United States, vol. vii., p. 421, speaking
of the Battle of Bunker Hill, says :

" Nor should history forget to record, that as in the army at Cam-
bridge, so also in this gallant band, the free Negroes of the colony had
their representatives. For the right of free Negroes to bear arms in the
public defence was at that day as little disputed in New England as
their other rights. They took their places, not in a separate corps, but
in the ranks with the white men ; and their names may be read on the
pension-rolls of the country, side by side with those of other soldiers of
the Revolution."

Major Samuel Lawrence served through the war of the Revolution.

"At one time he commanded a company whose rank and file were all
Negroes, of whose courage, military discipline and fidelity he always
spoke with respect. On one occasion, being out reconuoitering with
this company, he got so far in advance of his command that he was sur-
rounded, and on the point of being made prisoner by the enemy. The
men, soon discovering his peril, rushed to his rescue, and fought with the
most determined bravery till that rescue was effectually secured." —
Memoir of William Lawrence, by Rev. S. K. Lothrop, D.D., pp. 8, 9.

On the 23d of October a Committee of Conference, "to consider the
condition of the army, and to devise means for its improvement," agreed
that Negro soldiers be rejected altogether. But notwithstanding this
action of the Committee of Conference, Washington, on the 31st of
December, 1775, wrote from Cambridge to the President of Congress as
follows : — " It has been represented to me that the free Negroes who
have served in this army are very much dissatisfied at being discarded.
As it is to be apprehended that they may seek employ in the ministerial
army, I have presumed to depart from the resolution respecting them,
and have given license for their being enlisted. If this is disapproved
of by Congress, I will put a stop to it." — Sparks^ Washington, vol. iii.,
pp. 218, 219.

On the 16th of January, 1776, Congress decided "That the free
Negroes, who have served faithfully in the army at Cambridge, may be
re-enlisted therein, but no others." — Journals of Congress, vol. ii., p. 26.

General Thomas, in a letter to John Adams, says :

"lam sorry to hear that any prejudices should take place in any
southern colony with respect to the troops raised in this. I am certain
the insinuations you mention are injurious, if we consider with what
precipitation we were obliged to collect an army. In the regiments at
Roxbury, the privates are equal to any that I served with in the last

war; very few old men and in the ranks very few boys. Our fifers are
many of them boys.

"We have some Negroes; but I look on them, in general, equally
serviceable with other men for fatigue ; and in action many of them have
proved themselves brave.

"I would avoid all reflection, or anything that may tend to give
umbrage ; but there is in this army from the southward a number called
riflemen, who are as indifferent men as I ever served with. These
privates are mutinous, and often deserting to the enemy ; unwilling for
duty of any kind ; exceedingly vicious ; and I think the army here would
be as well without as with them. But to do justice to their officers,
they are, some of them, likely men." — M. S. Letter, dated 2ith October,

ms.

The following is an extract from the journal of a Hessian ofiQcer, dated
October 23d, 1111:

" From here to Springfield, there are few habitations which have not
a Negro family dwelling in a small house near by. The Negroes are
here as fruitful as other cattle. The young ones are well foddered,
especially while they are still calves.

" Slavery is moreover very gainful. The Negro is to be considered just
as the bond servant of a peasant. The Negress does all the coarse
work of the house, and the little black young ones wait on the little
white young ones. The Negro can take the field instead of his master ;
and, therefore, no regiment is to be seen in which there are not Negroes
in abundance ; and among them are able-bodied, strong and brave
fellows.^'' — Schloezer^s Brief wechsel, vol. iv., p. 365.

We next give an extract from an act of the " State of Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations, in General Assembly. February Session,
HIS. "Whereas, for the preservation of the rights and liberties of the
United States, it is necessary; that the whole powers of Government
should be exerted in recruiting the Continental battalions ; and whereas
His Excellency, Gen. Washington, hath inclosed to this State a proposal
made to him by Brigadier- Greneral Varnum, to enlist into the two bat-
talions, raising by this State, such slaves as should be willing to enter
into the service ; and whereas history affords us frequent precedents of
the wisest, the freest, and bravest nations having liberated their slaves
and enlisted them as soldiers to fight in defence of their country ; and
also whereas, the enemy, with a great force, have taken possesi^ion of
the Capital and a great part of this State ; and this State is obliged to
raise a very considerable number of troops for its own immediate defence,
whereby it is, in a manner, rendered impossible for this State to furnish
recruits for the said two battalions without adopting the said measure so
recommended :

" It is Voted and Resolved, That every able-bodied Negro, Mulatto, or

Indian man slave in this State, may enlist into either of the said two
battalions, to serve during the continuance of the present war with
Great Britain ; that every slave so enlisting shall be entitled to and
receive all the bounties, wages, and encouragements allowed by the Con-
tinental Congress to any soldier enlisting into their service."

^' It is further Voted and Besolved, That every slave so enlisting,
shall, upon his passing muster before Col. Christopher Green, be imme-
diately discharged from the service of his master or mistress, and be
absolutely FREE, as though he had never been incumbered with any
kind of servitude or slavery."

The Negroes enlisted under this act were the men who immortalized
themseWes at Ked Bank.

Arnold, in his " History of Rhode Island," vol. ii., pp. 42*7, 428,
describing the "Battle of Rhode Island," fought August 29th, 1178,
says: "A third time the enemy, with desperate courage and increased
strength, attempted to assail the redoubt, and would have carried it, but
for the timely aid of two Continental battalions despatched, by Sullivan
to support his almost exhausted troops. It was in repelling these
furious onsets, that the newly raised black regiment, under Col. Green,
distinguished itself by deeds of desperate valor. Posted behind a thicket
in the valley, they three times drove back the Hessians, who charged
repeatedly down the hill to dislodge them."

On March 29th, 1119, we find in the Secret Journals of Congress,
vol. i., pp. lOt-110:

" Resolved, That it be recommended to the States of South Carolina
and Georgia, if they shall think the same expedient, to take measures
immediately for raising three thousand able-bodied Negroes.

'' That the said Negroes be formed into separate corps, as battalions,
according to the arrangements adopted for the main army, to be com-
manded by white commissioned and non-commissioned officers."

After other provisions for their organization the last section provides,

" That every Negro who shall well and faithfully serve as a soldier to
the end of the present war, and shall then return his arms, he emanci-
pated, and receive the sum of fifty dollars."

Washington, Hamilton, General Greene, General Lincoln, and Colonel
John Laurens were warm friends of this measure.

That the " Mother of Statesmen" also enlisted Negroes during the
War of the Revolution, and emancipated them for their services, is
shown by the heading of a law passed by the General Assembly of
Virginia, in 1Y83, entitled ^^ An Act directing the Emancipation of
certain Slaves who have served as soldiers in this State, and for the
emancipation of the slave Aberdeen. ^^ — Hening^s Statutes at Large of
Virginia, vol. xi., pp. 308, 309.

In the navy, Negroes have always been entered on the ship's books

without any distinction. The following extract from a letter of Com-
modore Chauucey gives his views on this subject. " I regret that you
are not pleased with the men sent you by Messrs. Champlin and Forrest ;
for to my knowledge a part of them are not surpassed by any seamen we
have in the fleet ; and I have yet to learn that the color of the skin, or
the cut and trimmings of the coat, can affect a man's qualifications or
usefulness. I have nearly fifty blacks on board of this ship, and many
of them are among my best men."

In 1814 the State of New York passed

"An Act to authorize the raising of two regiments of men of color ;
passed October 24, 1814."

In conclusion we offer the proclamation and address of General
Andrew Jackson to the Negroes.

'' Headquarters Wi Military District.

Mobile, September 21, 1814.
" To THE Free Colored Inhabitants of Louisiana :

" Through a mistaken policy you have heretofore been deprived of a
participation in the glorious struggle for national rights in which our
country is engaged. This no longer shall exist.

" As sons of freedom, you are now called upon to defend our most
inestimable blessing. As Americans, your country looks with confidence
to her adopted children for a valorous support, as a faithful return for
the advantages enjoyed, under her mild and equitable government. As
fathers, husbands, and brothers, you are summoned to rally around the
standard of the Eagle, to defend all which is dear in existence.

" Your country, although calling for your exertions, does not wish you
to engage in her cause without amply remunerating you for the services
rendered. Your intelligent minds are not to be led away by false repre-
sentations. Your love of honor would cause you to despise the man
who should attempt to deceive you. In the sincerity of a soldier and
the language of truth I address you.

" To every noble-hearted, generous freeman of color, volunteering to
serve during the present contest with Great Britain, and no longer, there
will be paid the same bounty in money and lands, now received by the
white soldiers of the United States, viz. : one hundred and twenty-four
dollars in money, and one hundred and sixty acres of land. The non-
commissioned officers and privates will also be entitled to the same
monthly pay and daily rations, and clothes, furnished to any American
soldier.

" On enrolling yourselves in companies, the major-general commanding
will select officers for your government from your white fellow-citizens.
Your non-commissioned officers will be appointed from among yourselves.

" Due regard will be paid to the feelings of freemen and soldiers. You

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will not, by being associated with white men in the same corps, be ex-
posed to improper com|arisons 6r unjust sarcasm. As a distinct, inde-
pendent battalion or rigiraent, pursuing the path of glory, you will,
undivided, receive the- applause and gratitude of your countrymen.

" To assure you of the sincerity of my intentions, and my anxiety to
engage your invaluable services to our country, I have communicated
my wishes to the Governor of Louisiana, who is fully informed as to the
manner of enrolment, and will give you every necessary information on
the subject of this address.

"ANDREW JACKSON, 3Iajor- General Commanding.''
Niles's Register, vol. vii., p. 205.

At the close of a review of the white and colored troops in New
Orleans, on Sunday, December 18th, 1814, General Jackson's address to
the troops was read by Edward Livingston, one of his aids, and the
following is the portion addressed :

''To THE MEN OF Color: — Soldiers! From the shores of Mobile I
collected you to arms, — Ijinvited you to share in the perils and to divide
the glory of your white countrymen. I expected much from you ; for I
was not uninformed of those qualities which must render you so formida-
ble to an invading foe. I knew that you could endure hunger and thirst
and all the hardships of war. I knew that you loved the land of your
nativity, and that, like ourselves, you had to defend all that is most dear
to man. But you surpass ihy hopes. I have found in you, united to
these qualities, that noble enthusiasm which impels to great deeds.

" Soldiers ! The President of the United States shall be informed of
your conduct on the present occasion ; and the voice of the Representa-
tives of the American Nation shall applaud your valor, as your general
now praises your ardor. The enemy is near. His sails cover the lakes.
But the brave are united ; and if he finds us contending among ourselves,
it will be for the prize of valor, and fame, its noblest reward." — Niles's
Register, vol. vii., pp. 345, 346.

Such are some of the vie^s of our ancestors in regard to the employ-
meat of Negro soldiers. Is it not the duty of every loyal man to give
a careful consideration to these facts ?

By utilizing this element the Government can secure the services of
•too, 000 able-bodied men, aOi)limated to and familiar with the seat of
war, and at the same time -strike the Rebels a vital blow. Will not
posterity hold to a severe account the statesman who would neglect to
ase so powerful a force for the suppression of the Rebellion ?

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