150 Yrs. Ago: Black Soldiers Prove Their Mettle; Lincoln for Temperance?

The Negro Troops in Florida.

L. D. Stickney, United States Tax Collector of Florida and South Carolina, reported to the Government the absolute success of the experiment of arming and organizing the slaves. He says that the late expedition, which took and held Jacksonville, Fla., was composed entirely of black troops. They held the post two weeks, were engaged almost every day with superior numbers of the rebels, and in every instance drove them. Afterward, these black troops were reinforced by a white regiment—the Sixth Connecticut Volunteers—by no means favorable to negro soldiers. In an engagement with the rebel cavalry and artillery, the Sixth Connecticut supported the First and Second South Carolina (colored.) After a severe engagement, in which the blacks were victorious, this white regiment declared it had no further prejudices against negroes who showed such pluck.

While our troops occupied Jacksonville, the rebel camp was eight miles distant. The commander of the United States forces, before making an attack, wished to destroy a railroad bridge three miles in the rear of the enemy. A negro volunteered to perform this perilous feat. Taking three days’ rations in his knapsack, a bottle of turpentine, a box of matches and a pair of Colt’s revolvers, he disappeared at night. The third day after he returned, having burned the bridge and reconnoitered the enemy’s camp, so as to furnish much valuable information.

A former expedition up St. Mary’s River by five companies of the first regiment South Carolina Volunteers, furnished equally conclusive evidence of the bravery of the negro troops. Marching at night through a thick wood, they were attacked by rebel cavalry. At the first discharge one man was killed and four wounded ; but instead of a panic, the blacks promptly returned the fire, emptying twelve rebel saddles at the first discharge. The uniform testimony of all the officers is that the colored troops, when brought under fire, need check more than spur.

Black Soldiers.

Opportunities are now offered for black soldiers to show whether they have any fighting qualities or not. The popular opinion has been that they have not, and that they never could be made good soldiers. If received into the army at all, the impression was that they should be armed with nothing more formidable than shovels and spades, and should be employed in digging trenches. But men like Generals Hunter and Butler proposed that black men should fight as well as dig. They succeeded in having arms put into their hands, and having them drilled in to a knowledge of all the duties of a soldier. Popular sentiment was against it, and the Administration doubted the expediency of the plan. But the movement was under the direction of men who were not easily turned aside. The negroes were enrolled and put through the manual precisely as if their cuticle had been of a different color. They became United States soldiers, and were instructed in the use of the weapons of a soldier. Would they fight and could they be relied on? A class of our politicians said they would run at the first sight of their old masters. Conservative men shook their heads. But the question has been answered, and in a manner to satisfy the most obstinate doubters. They can fight, and have shown the characteristics of good soldiers. On more than one occasion they have been in action, and their officers testify without hesitation to their good fighting qualities.

This result is particularly gratifying at this time, for it assures the Government of a plenty of material at hand for fighting purposes. It will probably obviate the necessity of making much of a draft upon white men, and relieve our people of all fears of a forced service in the army.

FROM THE 14TH REGIMENT. Camp of the 14th C. V., near Falmouth, Va. April 9th, 1863.

To the Editor of the Constitution : Dear Sir—I cannot describe to you the thrill of delight experienced by the loyal men of this regiment when intelligence of the result of the recent election in Connecticut reached us. None at home had watched more anxiously for the hour when the result should be known than had we here.

Now we are ready for the campaign which we presume is only just before us. We will meet and endure all the toils and dangers of the fierce and bloody campaign for the sake of our beloved country, feeling confident that God’s favor is with us, and remembering that loyalists are in power at home.

The 14th is in good condition now. Although much reduced in number from our original status, the men who remain are generally in excellent condition of health and spirits.

We do not know Gen. Hooker’s plans, (who does?) but we have always believed he would move us whenever the weather and the roads would permit. Hitherto during the spring the weather and the condition of the roads have made it impossible for the army of the Potomac to move for any important undertaking. Only last Sabbath, the 5th, we were favored with a snow storm, the snow making nearly a foot in depth. The weather was so chilly that for two or three days subsequently the snow did not melt. To day the weather has been of the April cast, more mild and pleasant than it has been this month. The roads are rapidly drying, and if this weather continues will, in a few days, afford no obstacle to a “move.” Yesterday our regiment participated in the “grand review.” Several corps of infantry were arrayed on a large field about four miles from this camp. President Lincoln, accompanied by Gen. Hooker and a large and brilliant staff, rode through all the corps to review us, himself the object of the interested gaze of tens of thousands—by none was he looked upon with more intense interest than by your correspondent. When the whole force marched “in review” past the President and Staff, the spectacle was splendid. Nearly all in the vast assemblage were armed and uniformed men. A very few ladies, richly dressed and finely mounted, graced the scene. A few men dressed in citizens garb were present. At such a place one realizes that he is in a community of soldiers, away from dear home and home society.

Enough for the present. I thought it possible you and your readers would like to hear from the 14th, which is my excuse for intruding.   H. S. S.
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The Sentinel intimates that it was a part of Miss Anna E. Dickinson’s mission to this city to inaugurate a Woman’s Loyal League. Her visit here had no reference whatever to the formation of such a society. The Sentinel calls these organizations “disgraceful and contemptible organizations.” After the course taken by that paper in its opposition to the government, we submit that it is not in a position to decide what is “disgraceful and contemptible.” The loyal women of Middletown have done much in support of the government in this war, and by their noble and patriotic conduct have put to shame the “disgraceful and contemptible” course of disloyal men. All honor to the true hearted women who have stood by their country in the hour of need, and shame upon the men who will libel them for their self devotion !

The River.

The freshet has declined very gradually for the last few days and the lower wharves are not yet out of water. Water street is in a very moist condition, but is generally navigable for wheels. Travel has been re-established over the causeway to the Farms and over the turnpike to Cromwell. The highest rise of the water this spring has been about eighteen feet.

The Weather.

Average temperature for the week at 6 o’clock A. M. has been 38 degrees. The air has been chilly, and we have had what is called “freshet weather.” On Friday and Saturday there was a cold northeast rain storm.

Dark.

It is generally admitted to be unnecessary to light the street lamps whenever the sun or the moon shines. This rule holds good always without exception in the case of the sun. It shines if it is cloudy, and the aid of street lamps is never wanted. But last Friday night anybody who was so unfortunate as to be out of doors could see that it was a capital mistake to suppose that because there was a moon there must be light on the sidewalks. Lunar rays did not penetrate those clouds, and navigation through the city was about as difficult as on Long Island sound in a snow storm. Would it not be well to make some exceptions in cases where there is no moonlight although there is a moon?
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For occasional sallies of genuine original wit, give us a country grocery, winter evenings and rainy days, and the bar-rooms of country hotels. As an instance, take the following, which occurred in a bar-room not long since. There was quite a collection, and our friend, A., who is a democrat, and friend M., who is a republican, had been earnestly but pleasantly discussing politics, and as a lull took place in conversation, A. spoke as follows :

‘M., how many public men are there who are really temperance men?’

‘O, I don’t know,’ replied M.

‘Well,’ said A., ‘I don’t know but one that I can speak positively of on our side, and that is Gen. Cass.’

‘Well,’ said M., promptly, ‘there is President Lincoln, on our side, certain.’

‘Guess not,’ said A., incredulously.

‘Guess yes,’ replied M., warmly.

‘But you don’t pretend to say that President Lincoln is a temperance man, do you?’ asked A.

‘Yes, I do,’ answered M., ‘and can maintain the statement.’

‘Well, now, I tell you that Abraham Lincoln is as fond of his tod as any man living,’ replied A., earnestly, ‘and I can prove it to you.’

‘Well, I tell you that he isn’t,’ replied M., who began to get excited ; ‘he is as pure and strict a temperance man as there is in the country.’

‘I contend,’ replied A., with provoking coolness, ‘that Abraham Lincoln is so fond of his tod that it is the last thing he thinks of when he goes to bed, and the first when he awakes in the morning.’

‘It’s a confounded locofoco lie !’ exclaimed M., springing to his feet.

‘Hold on, friend M.,’ said A., ‘what was Lincoln’s wife’s name before she married?’

‘Todd by Thunder!’ exclaimed M., jump[ing] more than a foot from the floor ; ‘boys let’s adjourn to the other room.’