COLORED SOLDIERS.
In this chapter we introduce to our readers Lieutenant Charles Young,
who is the second colored graduate from West Point. He was for some
four years Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Wilberforce,
Ohio. Mr. Young, as can be seen from his picture, is a man of splendid
military appearance, and is regarded by all who know him as a most
excellent young man. It is well known that in our Civil War the colored
soldiers made a reputation for themselves as brave men. It has not,
as yet, been much written about by those who have given a history of
that war. But merit will win and become known in time. I reproduce here
mention made of colored soldiers by General Guy V. Henry, U. S. A.,
himself a veteran soldier, who, in a recent report, speaking of colored
American troops, says: "In garrison they are clean, self-respecting,
and proud of their uniform; in the field, patient and cheerful under
hardships and privations, never growling or discontented, doing what is
required of them without a murmur."
[Illustration: LIEUTENANT CHARLES YOUNG.]
I also give an article that appeared in the Pittsburg _Times_ relating
to the colored troops in our late war with Spain:
"Amid all the praise that has been bestowed on our fighters on land
and sea since hostilities began but little has been said of the
colored troops, of whom there were several regiments in the thick of
the fighting around Santiago. When the Rough-Riders received their
baptism of fire the country rang with their praises, but few paused to
note that the colored troops fought side by side with them with equal
bravery, and, in fact, rescued them from their perilous position. In
the subsequent fighting at El Caney and at San Juan, before Santiago,
they were second to none in the bravery of their fighting and in the
intrepidity of their charges. They met the deadly rain of bullets as
unflinchingly as the best of their white comrades, and, in proportion
to their numbers, they furnished as numerous victims to the missiles
of the enemy as any of the other commands. Under their dark skins was
the same warlike and patriotic spirit that throbbed in the nerves of
their paler fellow-soldiers.
"On that field they once more vindicated the wisdom that has given
them citizenship, and showed that they are made of the stuff which
constitutes the modern American and causes him to be respected and
admired. No men ever fought for their country more bravely than did
all the men who were engaged at Santiago, and among them all none
exceeded the colored men in all the attributes of true soldiers and
patriots. They were there, Americans of the Americans, battling for
their country, and the difference in the color of their skin made no
difference in the quality of their courage or service. It is to be
hoped that when all come to thoroughly understand the quality of the
negro as a soldier a little more consideration may be paid to his
rights as a citizen."