Union, and with it the Constitution, or of laying
strong hand upon the colored element. I chose the latter."

XXV

Negro Soldiers--Fort Pillow--Retaliation--Draft--Northern
Democrats--Governor Seymour's Attitude--Draft Riots in New
York--Vallandigham--Lincoln on his Authority to Suspend Writ of Habeas
Corpus--Knights of the Golden Circle--Jacob Thompson in Canada

On the subject of negro soldiers, as on many other topics, the period of
active rebellion and civil war had wrought a profound change in public
opinion. From the foundation of the government to the Rebellion, the
horrible nightmare of a possible slave insurrection had brooded over the
entire South. This feeling naturally had a sympathetic reflection in the
North, and at first produced an instinctive shrinking from any thought
of placing arms in the hands of the blacks whom the chances of war had
given practical or legal freedom. During the year 1862, a few sporadic
efforts were made by zealous individuals, under apparently favoring
conditions, to begin the formation of colored regiments. The eccentric
Senator Lane tried it in Kansas, or, rather, along the Missouri border
without success. General Hunter made an experiment in South Carolina,
but found the freedmen too unwilling to enlist, and the white officers
too prejudiced to instruct them. General Butler, at New Orleans, infused
his wonted energy into a similar attempt, with somewhat better results.
He found that before the capture of the city, Governor Moore of
Louisiana had begun the organization of a regiment of free colored men
for local defense. Butler resuscitated this organization for which he
thus had the advantage of Confederate example and precedent, and against
which the accusation of arming slaves could not be urged. Early in
September, Butler reported, with his usual biting sarcasm:

"I shall also have within ten days a regiment, one thousand strong, of
native guards (colored), the darkest of whom will be about the
complexion of the late Mr. Webster."

All these efforts were made under implied, rather than expressed
provisions of law, and encountered more or less embarrassment in
obtaining pay and supplies, because they were not distinctly recognized
in the army regulations. This could not well be done so long as the
President considered the policy premature. His spirit of caution in this
regard was set forth by the Secretary of War in a letter of instruction
dated July 3, 1862: