Part 18 (1/2)
”The account of General Phelps is the negro side of the story; that above given is the story of Mr. La Blanche's neighbors, some of whom I know to be loyal men.
”An order against negroes being allowed in camp is the reason they are outside.
”Mr. La Blanche is represented to be a humane man, and did not consent to the 'exodus' of his negroes.
”General Phelps, I believe, intends making this a test case for the policy of the government. I wish it might be so, for the difference of our action upon this subject is a source of trouble. I respect his honest sincerity of opinion, but I am a soldier, bound to carry out the wishes of my government so long as I hold its commission, and I understand that policy to be the one I am pursuing. I do not feel at liberty to pursue any other. If the policy of the government is nearly that I sketched in my report upon the subject and that which I have ordered in this department, then the services of General Phelps are worse than useless here. If the views set forth in his report are to obtain, then he is invaluable, for his whole soul is in it, and he is a good soldier of large experience, and no braver man lives. I beg to leave the whole question with the president, with perhaps the needless a.s.surance that his wishes shall be loyalty followed, were 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 well of the North, that the African should be permitted to offer his block for the temple of freedom. Sentiments unworthy of the man of the present day--worthy only of another Cain--could alone prevent such an offer from being accepted.
I would recommend that the cadet graduates of the present year should be sent to South Carolina and this point to organize and discipline our African levies, and that the more promising non-commissioned officers and privates of the army be appointed as company officers to command them.
Prompt and energetic efforts in this direction would probably accomplish more toward a speedy termination of the war, and an early restoration of peace and unity, than any other course which could be adopted.
”I have the honor to remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. W. PHELPS, _Brigadier-General._”
This reply was received:
NEW ORLEANS, July 31, 1862.
”GENERAL:--The general commanding wishes you to employ the contrabands in and about your camp in cutting down all the trees, &c., between your lines and the lake, and in forming abatis, according to the plan agreed upon between you and Lieutenant Weitzel when he visited you some time since. What wood is not needed by you is much needed in this city. For this purpose I have ordered the quartermaster to furnish you with axes, and tents for the contrabands to be quartered in.
”I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
”By order of Major-General BUTLER.
”R. S. DAVIS, Capt. and A. A. A. G.
”To Brigadier-General J. W. PHELPS, Camp Parapet.”
General Butler's effort to turn the attention of Gen. Phelps to the law of Congress recently pa.s.sed was of no avail, that officer was determined in his policy of warring on the enemy; but finding General Butler as firm in his policy of leniency, and knowing of his strong pro-slavery sentiments prior to the war,--notwithstanding his ”contraband” order at Fortress Monroe,--General Phelps felt as though he would be humiliated if he departed from his own policy and became what he regarded as a slave-driver, therefore he determined to resign. He replied to General Butler as follows:
”CAMP PARAPET, LA., July 31, 1862.