e they not in accordance with my own, as I have
now no right to have any upon the subject.

"I write in haste, as the steamer 'Mississippi' is awaiting
this dispatch.

"Awaiting the earliest possible instructions, I have the
honor to be,

"Your most obedient servant,

"B. F. BUTLER, _Major General Commanding._"

Gen. Phelps waited about six weeks for a reply, but none came. Meanwhile
the negroes continued to gather at his camp. He said, in regard to not
receiving an answer, "I was left to the inference that silence gives
consent, and proceeded therefore to take such decided measures as
appeared best calculated, to me, to dispose of the difficulty."
Accordingly he made the following requisition upon headquarters:

"CAMP PARAPET, LA., July 30, 1862.

"Captain R. S. DAVIS, A. A. A. General, New Orleans, La.:

"SIR:--I enclose herewith requisitions for arms,
accouterments, clothing, camp and garrison equipage, &c.,
for three regiments of Africans, which I propose to raise
for the defense of this point. The location is swampy and
unhealthy, and our men are dying at the rate of two or three
a day.

"The southern loyalists are willing, as I understand, to
furnish their share of the tax for the support of the war;
but they should also furnish their quota of men, which they
have not thus far done. An opportunity now offers of
supplying the deficiency; and it is not safe to neglect
opportunities in war. I think that, with the proper
facilities, I could raise the three regiments proposed in a
short time. Without holding out any inducements, or offering
any reward, I have now upward of three hundred Africans
organized into five companies, who are all willing and ready
to show their devotion to our cause in any way that it may
be put to the test. They are willing to submit to anything
rather than to slavery.

Society in the South seems to be on the point of
dissolution; and the best way of preventing the African from
becoming instrumental in a general state of anarchy, is to
enlist him in the cause of the Republic. If we reject his
services, any petty military chieftain, by offering him
freedom, can have them for the purpose of robbery and
plunder. It is for the interests of the South, as