indeed, in these piping
times of peace, but in the time of war, when quite a boy, I
have seen black soldiers enlisted, who did faithful and
excellent service. But, however it may have been in the
Northern States, I can tell the Senator what happened in the
Southern States at this period. I believe that I shall be
borne out in saying, that no regiments did better service,
at New Orleans, than did the black regiments, which were
organized under the direction of General Jackson himself,
after a most glorious appeal to the patriotism and honor of
the people of color of that region; and which, after they
came out of the war, received the thanks of General Jackson,
in a proclamation which has been thought worthy of being
inscribed on the pages of history."

Perhaps the most glowing account of the services of these black American
soldiers, appeared in an article in the New Orleans _Picayune_:

"Not the least interesting, although the most novel feature
of the procession yesterday, was the presence of ninety of
the colored veterans who bore a conspicuous part in the
dangers of the day they were now for the first time called
to assist in celebrating, and who, by their good conduct in
presence of the enemy, deserved and received the approbation
of their illustrious commander-in-chief. During the
thirty-six years that have passed away since they assisted
to repel the invaders from our shores, these faithful men
have never before participated in the annual rejoicings for
the victory which their valor contributed to gain. Their
good deeds have been consecrated only in their memories, or
lived but to claim a passing notice on the page of the
historian. Yet, who more than they deserve the thanks of the
country, and the gratitude of succeeding generations? Who
rallied with more alacrity in response to the summons of
danger? Who endured more cheerfully the hardships of the
camp, or faced with greater courage the perils of the fight?
If, in that hazardous hour, when our homes were menaced with
the horrors of war, we did not disdain to call upon the
colored population to assist in repelling the invading
horde, we should not, when the danger is passed, refuse to
permit them to unite with us in celebrating the glorious
event, which they helped to make so