Source: Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: August 20, 1863
[Correspondence of the P.C. Advertiser]
MY DEAR ADVERTISER: -THURSDAY, May 28th,1863, was a great day for Massachusetts and for the United States, for it witnessed a great moral victory, -prejudice forgotten, hatred conquered, the brotherhood of man vindicated and Boston hurrahing for a Regiment of Negroes, as they marched along to take their places in the army of the United States. On that day the 54th Mass. Regiment, composed of Americans of African descent, was embarked for the seat of war.
Troops have been raised in the Carolinas by Gen. Hunter, in Louisiana by Gen. Banks, and at the West by Adj. Gen. Thomas, but this is the first black regiment raised in a loyal State, and Massachusetts has alone dared to recognize the manhood of the negro and show faith in his capacity. From 1620, when the negro slave was first planted in Virginia, to 1863, the claim of the African to humanity had not been recognized.
The Proclamation of January 1st spoke with liberty to three millions, but the great, practical question still existed -“What shall be done with the negro? Shall he be made a political serf? Shall he be allowed to come North and compete with white men? Some cursed him; others would colonize him to Liberia or Texas. But the question was still unsolved. Two years of war has made it a reality to the nation, and now they understand it. The negro is a man, not a chattel. We are in war, let him fight for us. The first regiment has gone; and as I watched them march through the streets of the modern Athens, the Star-Spangled Banner waved over them, stepping to the Old John Brown Hymn, I asked myself if this was the Boston that a few years ago sent Thomas Sims and Anthony Burns back to slavery!
The course of the black man was a perfect ovation. Beacon Street fluttered with banners, bouquets and handkerchiefs waived by fair hands, and the old Common was covered with an admiring, applauding multitude. It being “Anniversary week,” the crowd was much greater than it would have been at any ordinary time.
The regiment formed in line on the side of the Common nearest to the Public Garden, and went through with the manual before His Excellency Gov. Andrew and two Major Generals, each with a numerous and showing staff. The Governor then reviewed them, by marching completely around them, and the regiment in turn marched around the allotted parade ground by company, saluting His Excellency as they passed him- all the while Gilmore's Band playing its most inspiring strains. I’ll venture that a prouder man could not be found that day, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, than its Executive Head. In fact, the Governor’s lofty step and triumphant air, indicated his feelings. And well he might be proud. Here in the heart of Boston was a regiment of Negroes, acknowledged by all to be the best drilled regiment that has ever left the State, their blue uniforms contrasting finally with the rich hue of the complexions, handling their rifles as if they knew what they were, and impatient to strike for themselves, their race still in bondage, and for the government which sends them forth. The 54th Massachusetts has been recruited from all parts of the loyal States, a good proportion coming from Pennsylvania. They have been in camp only about two months, and yet in excellence of drill, general discipline, dignity and military bearing, it is unsurpassed by any regiment I have ever seen. While in camp at Readville it was remarkable for order, cleanliness and good behavior, as the residents in the neighborhood testify. On the day of their departure, every man was up at the roll-call, and during all the exciting and fatiguing parade and march through the streets, there was not one straggler or one drunk, a fact without parallel in the history of this or any war. Gov. Andrew has selected its officers with the utmost care, appointing only those who have seen active service. They are, moreover, all gentlemen and of the firmest anti-slavery convictions. The Colonel, Mr. Shaw, is a scion of Beacon Street, and the Lieut. Col. Mr. Hallowell, is from one of the best Philadelphia families, and but few regiments can show on the rosters so many from the noblest blood of America. The design of this is to ensure good treatment of the men, and to command respect and social position for the regiment in the army. It was hoped that the 54th would be allowed to march through Broadway, N. Y., Chestnut St., Philad., Pratt St., Baltimore to Washington. The friends of the race thought this would disarm the popular prejudice against it more speedily than anything else. But the government, and wisely no doubt, sent it by steamer direct to Newbern to Gen. Foster's Dept. Meanwhile the work of recruiting colored soldiers is proceeding with increased vigor, and the 55th Massachusetts has already 500 men in camp, under drill.
Many of the negroes are not satisfied because no commissions are given to black men; but the majority prefer to be officered by white men, and this is the wise policy of the government at present. When their courage and capacity to command is amply proved, promotions will, no doubt, be made and commissions given them, and the late reports of their valor at Port Hudson makes this not a far distant probability.
The cry is now “Let us use the negro; let him do something for himself; let him fight!” And in this all classes are joining, Abolitionists, Republicans, Democrats and even Copperheads so far as they approve of fighting at all.
The sight of the 54th Massachusetts will strike terror into Rebeldom. It is earnest of what is yet to come. The vital strength of the Rebellion, so long despised by us, is now turned against them, and with 200 such regiments, it would be ground to powder.
Among the crowd that day on the Boston Common I recognized two retired Lahaina merchants, one San Francisco-Honoluluan and a native of Maui and his sister, who were expecting to return tither in the fall. Nearby, in his carriage, was a merchant prince from Hilo. We all agree that our life the islands has rid us of our prejudice against color, and some of us could say that such a prejudice we never possessed, four we were brought up in the purifying of that doctrine which opens so eloquently the Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom- “God hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell in unity and blessedness.”
A few days since I was present at the U. S. Court in Boston, and witnessed the indictment of Capt. Cook, of the whaleship Tahmaroo, for engaging in the slave trade. He pleaded guilty as the evidence against him was irresistible. The principal witness was a kanaka from Maui, one of the boatsteerers, whose testimony was clear and explicit. The court, in which Justices Sprague and Clifford sit, is one of the ablest of the Federal Courts, and has a large part in the adjudicating upon the prices taken by the U. S. cruisers and Blockaders. The prosecution is conducted in a most able manner by the Hon. R. H. Dana, jr., the US District Attorney, who is well known at the islands.
I noticed that you expressing doubts in regard to the passage of the act reducing the rate of postage from the Eastern States to the Pacific Coast. from ten to three cents per half ounce. The act passed at the last session and goes into operation on the 1st of July, as you are doubtless by this time informed.
With aloha, yours truly,
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. NUUANU
JUNE 10TH, 1863.
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