Generally the Negro troops acquitted themselves most creditably as soldiers. Stanton, Secretary of War, said of them at Petersburg: “The hardest fighting was done by the black troops. The parts they stormed were the worst of all. After the affair was over, Gen. Smith went to thank them, and tell them he was proud of their courage and dash. He says they cannot be exceeded as soldiers.”
There were in all 178,975 Negro soldiers in the United States Volunteers, and of these 38,847 were killed, wounded and missing. They took part in 449 battles. Besides the large military force there were 150,000 Negro laborers in other departments. When Cincinnati was threatened with an invasion, 706 colored citizens volunteered to construct military roads and fortifications, and were known as “The Black Brigade of Cincinnati.” Many of the members afterwards entered military service. Had I space I might speak of the brilliant achievements of Robert Small and others on the sea. Of William Tillman the New York Tribune said: “To this colored man was the nation indebted for the first vindication of its honor on the sea.”
The Negro has two elements in his nature which render him specially susceptible to civilization and patriotism, namely, the religious sentiment and music. Without these there cannot be an exalted patriotism. During the Rebellion the colored people of the South had as by a sort of inspiration an impression that they were going to be freed. They sang and prayed with that idea before them. They believed that “Father Linkum” was to be their Moses, and they would soon be set at liberty. Under the influence of this they were patient and hopeful. They prayed for the success of the Northern army, and their songs were inspired by the love and hope of freedom.
I will conclude by mentioning an incident which occurred on old Fort Plantation, Port Royal. There was a grove there of live oaks, in one of which was a seat, on which a Boston minister had sat while writing a book on the beauties of slavery, called the “South-side View.” On the first day of January, 1863, the commanding officer of the Union forces appointed a meeting in that grove, at which the declaration of emancipation would be read. There was quite a program marked out, but which was somewhat interrupted by a remarkable incident. When the proclamation was read, the many Negroes present suddenly broke out singing the national hymn: “My country ’tis of thee; Sweet land of liberty.” That hymn they never could sing before, and now that they were free they sang it with swelling hearts; but how they learned it was unknown. Their hearts thrilled with joy at the thought of being free, and rose in gratitude to God.
Transcriber's Note:
Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible.
On page 7, in “the religious sentiment”, “religious” is a correction of “religous”.