History of the American Negro in the Great World War / His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With Mexico

by William Allison Sweeney

FROM LEXINGTON TO CARRIZAL.

NEGRO IN WAR OF 1812—INCIDENT OF THE CHESAPEAKE—BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE—PERRY'S FIGHTERS 10 PERCENT NEGROES—INCIDENT OF THE "GOVERNOR TOMPKINS"—COLONISTS FORM NEGRO REGIMENTS—DEFENSE OF NEW ORLEANS—ANDREW JACKSON'S TRIBUTE—NEGROES IN MEXICAN AND CIVIL WARS—IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR—NEGROES IN THE PHILIPPINES—HEROES OF CARRIZAL—GENERAL BUTLER'S TRIBUTE TO NEGROES—WENDELL PHILLIPS ON TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE.

Prior to the actual war of 1812 and one of the most conspicuous causes leading to it, was the attack on the Chesapeake, an American war vessel. Here the Negro in the Navy figured in a most remarkable degree. The vessel was hailed, fired upon and forced to strike her colors by the British. She was boarded, searched and four persons taken from the crew charged with desertion from the English navy. Three of these were Negroes and one white. The charge against the Negroes could not have been very strong, for they were dismissed, while the white man was hanged.

The naval history of our second war with Great Britain is replete with incidents concerning the participation of the Negro. Mackenzie's history of the life of Commodore Perry states that at the famed battle of Lake Erie, fully ten percent of the American crews were blacks. Perry spoke highly of their bravery and good conduct. He said they seemed to be absolutely insensible to danger. His fighters were a motley collection of blacks, soldiers and boys. Nearly all had been afflicted with sickness. Mackenzie says that when the defeated British commander was brought aboard the "Niagara" and beheld the sickly and parti-colored beings around him, an expression of chagrin escaped him at having been conquered by such men.

The following extract is from a letter written by Commodore Nathaniel Shaler of the armed schooner "Governor Tompkins", dated January 1, 1813. Speaking of a fight with a British frigate, he said:

"The name of one of my poor fellows who was killed ought to be registered in the book of fame and remembered with reverence as long as bravery is considered a virtue. He was a black man by the name of John Johnson. A twenty-four-pound shot struck him in the hip and tore away all the lower part of his body. In this state the poor brave fellow lay on the deck and several times exclaimed to his shipmates: 'Fire away, boys; don't haul the colors down.' Another black man by the name of John Davis was struck in much the same way. He fell near me and several times requested to be thrown overboard, saying he was only in the way of the others. When America has such tars, she has little to fear from the tyrants of the ocean."

With the history fresh in mind of the successful Negro insurrection in St. Domingo, bringing out so conspicuous a military and administrative genius as Toussaint L'Ouverture, it is not surprising that the services of Negroes as soldiers were not only welcomed, but solicited by various states during the War of 1812. Excepting the battle of New Orleans, almost all the martial glory of the struggle was on the water. New York, however, passed a special act of the legislature and organized two regiments of Negro troops, while there was heavy recruiting in other states.

When in 1814 New Orleans was in danger, the free colored people of Louisiana were called into the field with the whites. General Andrew Jackson's commendatory address read to his colored troops December 18, 1814, is one of the highest compliments ever paid by a commander to his troops. He said:

"Soldiers!—when, on the banks of the Mobile, I called you to take up arms, inviting you to partake of the perils and glory of your white fellow-citizens, I expected much from you; for I was not ignorant that you possessed qualities most formidable to an invading enemy. I knew with what fortitude you could endure hunger and thirst, and all the fatigues of a campaign. I knew well how you loved your native country, and that you, as well as ourselves had to defend what man holds most dear—his parents, wife, children and property. You have done more than I expected. In addition to the previous qualities I before knew you to possess, I found among you a noble enthusiasm, which leads to the performance of great things.
"Soldiers! The President of the United States shall hear how praiseworthy was your conduct in the hour of danger, and the representatives of the American people will give you the praise your exploits entitle you to. Your General anticipates them in applauding your noble ardor."

Many incidents are on record of the gallantry of Negro soldiers and servants also serving as soldiers, in the war with Mexico. Colonel Clay, a son of Henry Clay, was accompanied into the thick of the battle of Buena Vista, by his Negro servant. He remained by his side in the fatal charge and saw Clay stricken from his horse. Although surrounded by the murderous Mexicans he succeeded in carrying the mangled body of his master from the field.