Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. THE NEGRO VOLUNTEER.--MILITARY EMPLOYMENT OF NEGROES. The South took the initiative in employing Negroes as soldiers; but they were free Negroes, and many of them owned large interests in Louisiana and South Carolina. During the latter part of April, 1861, a Negro company at Nashville, Tennessee, offered its services to the Confederate Government., A recruiting - office was opened for free Negroes at Memphis, and the following notice was issued: "ATTENTION, VOLUNTEERS! "Resolved by the Committee of Safety, That C. Deloach, D. R. Cook, and William B. Greenlaw, be authorized to organize a volunteer company, composed of our patriotic free men of color, of the city of Memphis, for the service of our common defence. All who have not enrolled their names will call at the office of W. B. Greenlaw & Co. "F. W. Forsythe, Secretary. F. Titus, President." Louisiana had the largest population of free Negroes in the South; many of them were men of large means, and some of them actually owned slaves. The first law enacted by any State, whether in or out of the Union, and before the United States Congress or the Confederate Congress had entertained any proposition contemplating the military employment of Negroes, con 1 Charleston Mercury, April 80,1861. 9 Memphis Avalanche and Memphis Appeal, May 9,10, and 11,1861. ferring upon the black man military privileges and duties, was the following: "An Act for the Belief of Volunteers. "section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That from and after the passage of this act, the Governor shall be, and he is hereby authorized, at his discretion, to receive into the military service of the State all male free persons of color between the ages of fifteen (15) and fifty...
