beautifully attired in man-of-war costume, and the other was manned by
eight white seamen, who were considered the crack crew of these waters.
Distance was offered the contraband crew, who had only been seamen some
three months; but their captain refused to accept of any advantage
whatever, and insisted on giving the white seamen the advantage of
two men. Every thing being in readiness, the word was given, and off
went the boats, throwing the crowd, white and black, into the most
intense excitement. Judge of the astonishment of all, when the boat
containing the contrabands was seen to turn the mile post first; and
great was the excitement and deafening were the cheers as they came in
some three rods in advance of the white crew, who were dripping with
perspiration, and thoroughly mortified at the unexpected result. They
were inclined to think the contest an unfair one, until the captain of
the contrabands offered to renew the race by having the crews exchange
boats, which proposition was not accepted by the white seamen for fear
of a like result. The captain said his contrabands could not only pull
a small boat faster and with more steadiness than the same number of
white seamen, but that they, with others he had on board, could man his
big guns with more agility and skill in time of action than any white
seamen he had ever seen."
Mr. Lawson, at last accounts, was holding a prominent office in General
Foster's command.
CAPTAIN CALLIOUX.
"In war was never lion's rage so fierce;
In peace was never gentle lamb more mild."
SHAKSPEARE.
Revolutions are occasioned by the growth of society beyond the growth
of government, and they will be peaceful or violent just in proportion
as the people and government shall be wise and virtuous or vicious
and ignorant. Such revolutions or reforms are generally of a peaceful
nature in communities in which the government has made provision for
the gradual expansion of its institutions, to suit the onward march
of society. No government is wise in overlooking, whatever may be the
strength of its own traditions, or however glorious its history, that
human institutions will outlive their time; that those institutions
which have been adapted for a barbarous state of society, will cease
to be adapted for more civilized and intelligent times; and unless
government make a provision for the gradual expansion, nothing can
prevent a storm, either of an intellectual or a physical nature.
The great American rebellion, therefore, is a legitimate revolution
growing out of the incongruity of freedom and slavery; and the first
gun fired at Sumter was hailed by every true friend of freedom, and
especially the negro, as the dawn of a brighter day for the black
man. But it was evident, from the commencement of the clash of arms,
that the despised race was to take no part in their exercise, unless
the Federal authorities were forced into it by the magnitude of the
rebellion. His services refused by the Federal government, all classes
declaring that they would not "_fight by the side of a nigger_," the
black man had nothing to do but to fold his arms and bide his time.
Defeat after defeat appeared to make no change in the pro-slavery
public mind, for the nation seemed determined to perish rather than
receive help from a black hand. The rout at Bull Run, the sad affair
at Ball's Bluff, the unfortunate mistake at Big Bethel, the loss of
100,000 brave men during the first fifteen months of the rebellion, and
the display of Copperhead feeling in the Northern States, caused the
far-seeing ones to feel that the ship of state was fast drifting to sea
without a rudder. The announcement that a proclamation of emancipation
would be issued on the 1st of January, 1863, brought forth a howl of
denunciation from those who despised the negro more than they did the
rebels. Still the cry rose from the majority, "Let the republic perish
rather than see the nigger in uniform."
All this time, the black man was silently, yet steadily, creating an
under-current, which was, at a later day, to carry him to the battle
field. The heroic act of Tillman on the high seas, the "_strategy_"
of Captain Small in taking the Planter past the guns of Sumter, and
the reliable intelligence conveyed to the Union army by "intelligent
contrabands,"--all tended to soften the negro hate, and to pave the way
for justice. All honor to the "New York Tribune," for its noble defence
of my race, and its advocacy of the black man's right to bear arms.
The organization of negro regiments once begun by General Hunter, soon
found favor with the more liberal portion of the northern people.
By and by, that brave, generous, and highly cultivated scholar,
gentleman, and Christian, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, lent the
influence of his name, and accepted an office in the first South
Carolina regiment, made an excursion into the heart of slavery, met the
rebels and defeated them with his negro soldiers, and reported through
the public journals what he had witnessed of the black man's ability on
the field of battle. Then the tide begun to turn.
The announcement that a regiment of colored soldiers was to be raised
in Massachusetts, created another sensation among the Copperheads,
and no means were left unused to deter them from enlisting. An early
prejudice was brought against the movement, owing to the fact that
the commissioned officers were white, and no door was to be opened
to the black man's elevation. Would colored men enlist under such
restrictions? was a question asked in every circle. All admitted that
they had no inducement, save that of a wish to aid in freeing their
brethren of the south.
Disfranchised in a majority of the free states, laboring under an
inhuman and withering prejudice, shut out of the political, religious,
and social associations of the nation, the black man's case was a hard
one. In the past, every weapon that genius or ignorance could invent or
command had been turned against him. Missiles had been hurled at his
devoted head from every quarter.
The pulpit, the platform, and the press, had all united against him.
The statesman in the councils of the nation had lowered his standard
in his attempts to dehumanize the negro; the scholar had forgotten
his calling while turning aside to coin epithets against the race.
All of this he would have to forget before he could accept the musket
and the knapsack. Yet he did forget all, and in a few short days
the Massachusetts fifty-fourth regiment stood before the country as
another evidence of the black man's fidelity and patriotism. It is but
simple justice to say of this regiment, that the adjutant general,
on its departure for the seat of war, paid it the high compliment of
being the most sober and well behaved, and of having cost less for its
organization, than any regiment that had left the commonwealth, and
that it was better drilled than all, except the twelfth. While the
fifty-fourth, by its military skill and good order, was softening the
hard hearts of the people north, the negro regiments of Louisiana were
attracting attention by the boldness of their request to General Banks
to be sent to the field of active duty, and to be put in the front of
the fight.
When New Orleans was captured by General Butler, he found there a
regiment of colored men bearing the name of the "Native Guard." These
men had been compelled to serve under the rebels; but when the latter
left the city, the former refused to follow, and embraced the earliest
opportunity to offer their services to the Union cause. They were at
once accepted by General Butler, under the title of the first Louisiana
regiment.
The census of 1860 placed the number of the inhabitants of the city
of New Orleans at 175,000. Of these, 15,000 were free colored, 10,000
were slaves, and the remainder were whites. The free colored men were
taxed for an average of $1000 to each person, while the white were
taxed for only $732 to each person. The first Louisiana regiment was
composed principally of this class of the free black population. The
professions, the mercantile, and the trades were well represented,
while not a few were men of extreme wealth. Nearly all were liberally
educated; some were scholars of a high order. The brave, the
enthusiastic, and the patriotic found full scope for the development
of their powers in this regiment. One of the most efficient of the
officers was Captain Callioux, a man whose identity with his race
could never be mistaken, for he prided himself on being the blackest
individual in the Crescent City. Whether in the drawing-room or on the
parade, he was ever the centre of attraction. Finely educated, polished
in his manners, a splendid horseman, a good boxer, bold, athletic,
and daring, he never lacked admirers. His men were ready at any time
to follow him to the cannon's mouth; and he was as ready to lead them.
General Banks granted their request, and the regiment was brought
before the rifle pits and heavy guns of Port Hudson on the 26th of May,
1863. Night fell--the lovely southern night, with its silvery moonshine
on the gleaming waters of the Mississippi, that passed directly by the
intrenched town. The glistening stars appeared suspended in the upper
air as globes of liquid light, with its fresh, soft breeze, bearing
such sweet scents from the odoriferous trees and plants, that a poet
might have fancied angelic spirits were abroad, making the atmosphere
luminous with their pure presence, and every breeze fragrant with
their luscious breath. The deep-red sun that rose on the next morning
indicated that the day would be warm, and, as it advanced, the heat
became intense. The earth had been long parched, and the hitherto
green verdure had begun to turn yellow. Clouds of dust followed every
step and movement of the troops. The air was filled with dust; clouds
gathered, frowned upon the earth, and hastened away. The weatherwise
watched the red masses of the morning, and still hoped for a shower
to cool the air and lay the dust, before the work of death commenced;
but none came, and the very atmosphere seemed as if it was from an
overheated oven. The laying aside of all unnecessary accoutrements,
and the preparation that showed itself on every side, told all present
that the conflict was near at hand. General Dwight was the officer in
command over the colored brigade, and his antecedents with regard to
the rights and the ability of the negro were not of the most favorable
character, and busy rumor, that knows every thing, had whispered it
about, that the valor of the black man was to be put to the severest
test that day.
The black forces consisted of the first Louisiana, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Bassett, and the third Louisiana, under Colonel
Nelson. These officers were white, but the line officers of the first
Louisiana were colored. The number of the colored troops was 1080
strong, and formed into four lines, Lieutenant-Colonel Bassett, first
Louisiana, forming the first line, and the others forming the second
line. As the moment of attack drew near, the greatest suppressed
excitement existed, but all were eager for the fight. Captain Callioux
walked proudly up and down the line, and smilingly greeted the
familiar faces of his company. Colonel Nelson being called to act as
brigadier-general, Lieutenant-Colonel Finnegas took his place. The
third Louisiana was composed mostly of freed men, whose backs still
bore the marks of the lash, and whose brave, stout hearts beat high at
the thought that the hour had come when they were to meet their proud
and unfeeling oppressors. New England officers and privates looked on,
and asked each other what they thought would be the result. Would these
blacks stand fire? Was not the test by which they were to be tried too
severe?
The enemy, in his stronghold, felt his power, and bade defiance to
the expected attack. At last, the welcome word was given, and our men
started. The enemy opened a blistering fire of shell, canister, grape,
and musketry. The first shell thrown by the enemy killed and wounded a
number of the blacks; but on they went. "Charge" was the word--
"'Charge!' Trump and drum awoke;
Onward the bondmen broke;
Bayonet and sabre-stroke
Vainly opposed their rush."
At every pace the column was thinned by the falling dead and wounded.
The negroes closed up steadily as their comrades fell, and advanced
within fifty paces of where the rebels were working a masked battery,
situated on a bluff where the guns could sweep the whole field over
which the troops must charge. This battery was on the left of the
charging line. Another battery of three or four guns commanded the
front, and six heavy pieces raked the right of the line as it formed,
and enfiladed its flank and rear as it charged on the bluff. It was
ascertained that a bayou ran under the bluff where the guns lay--a
bayou deeper than a man could ford. This charge was repulsed with
severe loss.
Lieutenant-Colonel Finnegas was then ordered to charge, and in a
well-dressed, steady line his men went on the double quick down over
the field of death. No matter how gallantly the men behaved--no matter
how bravely they were led--it was not in the course of things that this
gallant brigade should take these works by charge. Yet charge after
charge was ordered, and carried out, under all these disasters, with
Spartan firmness. Six charges in all were made. Colonel Nelson reported
to General Dwight the fearful odds he had to contend with. Says General
Dwight, in reply, "Tell Colonel Nelson I shall consider that he has
accomplished nothing unless he takes those guns." Thus the last few
charges were made under the spur of desperation.
The ground was already strewn with the dead and wounded, and many of
the brave officers had fallen early in the engagement. Among them was
the gallant and highly-cultivated Anselms. He was a standard-bearer,
and hugged the Stars and Stripes to his heart as he fell forward upon
them, pierced by five balls. Two corporals near by struggled between
themselves as to who should have the honor of again raising those
blood-stained emblems to the breeze. Each was eager for the honor, and
during the struggle a missile from the enemy wounded one of them, and
the other corporal shouldered the dear old flag in triumph, and bore it
through the charge in the front of the advancing line.
Shells from the rebel guns cut down trees three feet in diameter, and
they fell at one time burying a whole company beneath their branches.
Thus they charged bravely on certain destruction, till the ground was
slippery with the gore of the slaughtered, and cumbered with the bodies
of the maimed. The last charge was made about one o'clock.
At this juncture, Captain Callioux was seen with his left arm dangling
by his side,--for a ball had broken it above the elbow,--while his
right hand held his unsheathed sword gleaming in the rays of the sun,
and his hoarse, faint voice was heard cheering on his men. A moment
more and the brave and generous Callioux was struck by a shell,
and fell far in advance of his company. The fall of this officer
so exasperated his men, that they appeared to be filled with new
enthusiasm, and they rushed forward with a recklessness that probably
never has been equalled. Seeing it to be a hopeless effort, the
taking of these batteries, order was given to change the programme,
and the troops were called off. But had they accomplished any thing
more than the loss of many of their brave men? Yes, they had. The
self-forgetfulness, the undaunted heroism, and the great endurance of
the negro, as exhibited that day, created a new chapter in American
history for the black man. No negro hater will ever again dare to urge
the withholding of our rights upon the plea that we will not fight.
The stale and stereotyped falsehood that the blacks are wanting in
patriotism, was nailed to the counter as base coin, on the banks of
the Mississippi. Many Persians were slain at the battle of Thermopylæ,
but history records only the fall of Leonidas and his four hundred
companions. So, in the future, when we shall have passed away from
the stage, and rising generations shall speak of the conflict at Port
Hudson, and the celebrated charge of the Negro Brigade, they will
forget all others, in their admiration for Captain Callioux and his
black associates. I should have said, the expedition against this
strongly fortified place was Major-General Banks's, under whom the
other officers acted. The commander, in his official report of the
engagement, bears the following testimony to the bravery of the colored
troops. He says,--
"On the extreme right of our lines I posted the first and third
regiments of negro troops. The first regiment of Louisiana engineers,
composed exclusively of colored men, excepting the officers, was also
engaged in the operations of the day. The position occupied by these
troops was one of importance, and called for the utmost steadiness and
bravery in those to whom it was confided.
"It gives me pleasure to report that they answered every expectation.
In many respects their conduct was heroic; no troops could be more
determined or more daring. They made, during the day, three charges
upon the batteries of the enemy, suffering very heavy losses, and
holding their position at nightfall with the other troops on the right
of our lines. The highest commendation is bestowed upon them by all the
officers in command on the right.
"Whatever doubt may have existed heretofore as to the efficiency
of organizations of this character, the history of this day proves
conclusively to those who were in condition to observe the conduct of
these regiments, that the government will find in this class of troops
effective supporters and defenders. The severe test to which they were
subjected, and the determined manner in which they encountered the
enemy, leaves upon my mind no doubt of their ultimate success."
The Hon. B. F. Flanders, writing from New Orleans, under date of June
2, 1863, pays the following tribute to the bravery of those invincible
men:--
"The unanimous report of all those who were in the recent severe
fight at Port Hudson, in regard to the negroes, is, that they fought
like devils. They have completely conquered the prejudice of the army
against them. Never was there before such an extraordinary revolution
of sentiment as that of this army in respect to the negroes as
soldiers."
CAPTAIN JOSEPH HOWARD.
"Freemen, now's your day for doing--
Great the issues in your hand;
Risk them not by faint pursuing,
Peal the watchword through the land:
On for Freedom,
God, our Country, and the Right!"
Among the colored troops which Major-General Butler found at New
Orleans, when that place was evacuated by the rebels, was the Second
Louisiana Native Guards. When General Banks superseded General Butler,
and took command, the Second Louisiana was stationed at Baton Rouge.
This was considered one of the finest regiments in that section. The
line officers were all colored, and the best discipline prevailed
throughout the ranks. Nevertheless, the white officers of the New
England troops, either through jealousy, or hatred to the colored men
on account of their complexion, demanded that the latter should be
turned out of office, and that their places be filled by whites, from
the ranks of the other regiments. And to the everlasting shame of
General Banks, and the disgrace of the Union cause, the gallant men who
had got up the Second Louisiana regiment were dismissed. The order for
this change had scarcely been promulgated ere the retiring officers
found themselves the object of so much obloquy and abuse that they
were forced to quit Baton Rouge and return to New Orleans. The colored
soldiers were deeply pained at seeing the officers of their choice
taken from them, for they were much attached to their commanders,
some of whom were special favorites with the whole regiment. Among
these were First Lieutenant Joseph Howard, of Company I, and Second
Lieutenant Joseph G. Parker, of Company C. These gentlemen were both
possessed of ample wealth, and had entered the army, not as a matter of
speculation, as too many have done, but from a love of military life.
Their hatred of oppression, and attachment to the Union cause, kept
them from following the rebels in their hasty flight.
Lieutenant Howard was a man of more than ordinary ability in military
tactics, and a braver or more daring officer could not be found in the
valley of the Mississippi. He was well educated, speaking the English,
French, and Spanish languages fluently, and was considered a scholar
of rare literary attainments. He, with his friend, felt sorely the
deep humiliation attending their dismissal, and they seldom showed
themselves on the streets of their native city.
When the news reached New Orleans of the heroic charge made by the
first Louisiana regiment, at Port Hudson, on the 27th of May, Howard
at once called on his friend Parker, and they were so fired with the
intelligence that they determined to proceed to Port Hudson, and to
join their old regiment as _privates_. That night they took passage,
and the next day found them with their former friends in arms. The
regiment was still in position, close to the enemy's works, and the
appearance of the two lieutenants was hailed with demonstrations of
joy. Instead of being placed as privates in the ranks, they were both
immediately assigned the command of a company each, not from any
compliment to them, but sheer necessity, because the _white officers_
of these companies, feeling that the colored soldiers were put in the
front of the battle owing to their complexion, were not willing to
risk their lives, and had thrown up their commissions. On the 20th
of June, these two officers were put to the test, and nobly did they
maintain their former reputation for bravery. Captain Howard leading
the way, they charged upon the enemy's rifle pits--drove them out
and took possession, and held them for three hours, in the face of a
raking fire of artillery. Several times the blacks were so completely
hidden from view by the smoke of their own guns and the enemy's heavy
cannon, that they could not be seen. It was at this time that Captain
Howard exhibited his splendid powers as a commander. The negroes never
hesitated, never flinched, but gallantly did their duty.
Amid the roar of artillery and the rattling of musketry, the groans
of the wounded and the ghastly appearance of the dead, the heroic and
the intrepid Howard was the same. He never said to his men, "Go," but
always, "Follow me." At last, when many of their men were killed, and
the severe fire of the enemy's artillery seemed to mow down every thing
before it, these brave men were compelled to fall back from the pits
which they had so triumphantly taken.
At nightfall, General Banks paid the negro officers a high compliment,
shaking the hand of Captain Howard, and congratulating him on his
return, and telling his aids that this man was worthy of a more
elevated place. Great amount of prejudice was conquered that day by the
intrepid Howard and his companions.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
From Frederick Douglass' Monthly.
"Though MR. BROWN'S book may stand alone upon its own merits, and stand
strong, yet while reading its interesting pages,--abounding in fact and
argument, replete with eloquence, logic, and learning,--clothed with
simple yet eloquent language, it is hard to repress the inquiry, Whence
has this man this knowledge? He seems to have read and remembered
nearly every thing which has been written or said respecting the
ability of the negro, and has condensed and arranged the whole into an
admirable argument, calculated both to interest and convince."
From the Liberator.