ights, from the pollution of a
ruthless invader, and believing that the military organization which
existed prior to February 15, 1862, and elicited praise and respect
for the patriotic motives which prompted it, should exist for and
during the war, calls upon them to maintain their organization and
hold themselves prepared for such orders as may be transmitted to
them."[13]

These "Native Guards" joined the Confederate forces but they did not
leave the city with these troops, when they retreated before General
Butler, commanding the invading Union army. When General Butler
learned of this organization after his arrival in New Orleans, he sent
for several of the most prominent colored men of the city and asked
why they had accepted service "under the Confederate Government which
was set up for the purpose of holding their brethren and kindred in
eternal slavery." The reply was that they dared not to refuse; that
they had hoped, by serving the Confederates, to advance nearer to
equality with the whites; and concluded by stating that they had
longed to throw the weight of their class with the Union forces and
with the cause in which their own dearest hopes were identified[14].

An observer in Charleston at the outbreak of the war noted the
preparation for war, and called particular attention to "the thousand
Negroes who, so far from inclining to insurrections, were grinning
from ear to ear at the prospect of shooting the Yankees[15]." In the
same city, one of the daily papers stated that on January 2, 150 free
colored men had gratuitously offered their services to hasten the work
of throwing up redoubts along the coast[16]. At Nashville, Tennessee,
April, 1861, a company of free Negroes offered their services to the
Confederate Government and at Memphis a recruiting office was
opened[17]. The Legislature of Tennessee authorized Governor Harris,
on June 28, 1861, to receive into the State military service all male
persons of color between the ages of fifteen and fifty. These soldiers
would receive eight dollars a month with clothing and rations. The
sheriff of each county was required to report the names of these
persons and in case the number of persons tendering their services was
not sufficient to meet the needs of the county, the sheriff was
empowered to impress as many persons as were needed[18]. In the same
State, a procession of several hundred colored men marching through
the streets attracted attention. They mar