The Contrabands: 1863

Source: Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: July 23, 1863. 

The telegram tells that in addition to the colored troops already organized on the banks of the Mississippi, there are 20,000 in camp awaiting organization! Upon this subject W.S. Post, Chaplain of the Eighty-first Illinois, writes from Memphis April 28th, to the Missouri Democrat, saying:

"I am just up from Gen. Grant's army, near Vicksburg. Our loyal men may want to know from me, as well as from other soldiers, how the men in the army are pleased with the new policy of the Administration on the vexed 'contraband' question. I can only say the policy as announced by Maj. Gen. Thomas at lake providence and elsewhere among the troops, meets with a hearty response from our noble soldiers. Entire unanimity of the sentiment and harmony of feeling seem to prevail. I have never known the army in such excellent condition, physically and morally, as at the present time. I have been appointed agent in the sanitary business for the Third Division-Maj. Gen. John A. Logan's- and have thus occasion to travel much among our soldiers. From extensive observation as well as inquiry among them, I am fully satisfied that disaffection and discord are banished from their ranks, and that lofty patriotism and sublime endurance characterize our men. Unlimited confidence is expressed in our leaders, Gens. Grant, McPherson, Logan and others, and unbounded respect cherished for them.

Since our great and wondrous revival under the preaching of such true and high toned men as Adjutant Gen. Thomas, Gen. McPherson and Gen. Logan, a great and astonishing change has come over the spirit of our dreams. The army is a unit in favor of the policy of  our Administration-ready to die for the grand and glorious cause in which we are engaged. The second running of the blockade at Vicksburg, and the activity and energy now displayed in Gen. Grant's department are cheering and hopeful signs on the final success of our arms." 

The Hilton Head, South Carolina, correspondent of the New York Times, says:

"Drafting all the able bodied negroes into the army is being prosecuted vigorously. On Friday last a meeting was held at Hilton Head, to which the blacks were invited. A crowd came and listened to the addresses from several gentlemen explanatory of the object of the Government in ordering a drait. The enthusiasm of the negroes was excited, upon a call for volunteers every able-bodied man in the audience stepped forward and asked to have his named enrolled. By this means one hundred recruits for Col. Bennett's Third Regiment of South Carolina volunteers were obtained. On Hilton Head Island there are 600 blacks capable of bearing arms, and they are at once to be organized into companies-passing half their time in drilling, and half at work in the Quartermaster's Department. The First black regiment (Col. Higginson's) is doing good service on outpost duty at Port Ferry. The men are in plain sight of the rebels, who express great disgust at having to contend against their late servants. The Second regiment (Col. Montgomery's) is encamped near Beaufort. It numbers 600 men, who evince aptness in acquiring military knowledge."