army of Louisiana are protecting his wife and his home
against his negroes. Without that protection he would have
to come back to take care of his wife, his home and his
negroes. It is understood that Mrs. Bragg is one of the
terrified women of whom you speak in your report.

"This subject is not for the first time under the
consideration of the commanding general. When in command of
the Department of Annapolis, in May, 1861, he was asked to
protect a community against the consequences of a servile
insurrection. He replied, that when that community laid down
its arms, and called upon him for protection, he would give
it, because from that moment between them and him war would
cease. The same principle initiated there will govern his
and your actions now; and you will afford such protection as
soon as the community through its organized rulers shall ask
it.

" * * * * In the mean time, these colored regiments of free
men, raised by the authority of the president, and approved
by him as the commander-in-chief of the army, must be
commanded by the officers of the army of the United States,
like any other regiment."

General Butler continued General Weitzel in command but placed the
negroes under another officer. However, General Weitzel; like thousands
of others, changed his mind in regard to the colored troops. "If he was
not convinced by General Butler's reasoning," says Parton, "he must have
been convinced by what he saw of the conduct of those very colored
regiments at Port Hudson, where he himself gave such a glorious example
of prudence and gallantry."

Notwithstanding these troops did good service, it did not soften or
remove very much of the prejudice at the North against the negro
soldiers, nor in the ranks of the army. Many incidents might be cited to
show the feeling of bitterness against them.[22] However, General
Butler's example was followed very soon by every officer in command, and
by the time the President's Emancipation Proclamation was issued there
were not less than 10,000 negroes armed and equipped along the
Mississippi river. Of course the Government knew nothing of this.(?)
Not only armed, but some of them had been in skirmishes with the enemy.
That as a Phalanx they were invaluable in crushing the rebellion, let
their acts of heroism tell. In the light of history and of their own
deeds, it