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T. G. Steward - The Colored Regulars in the United States Army

T >> T. G. Steward >> The Colored Regulars in the United States Army




The way in which modern armies are organized and perfected leaves
little necessity for an equipment of exceptional personal gifts in
order to exercise ordinary military command. The whole thing is
subordinate, and the field for personal initiative is contracted to
the minimum. In our own army the President is Commander-in-Chief, and
the command descends through a multitude of subordinate grades down to
the lowest commissioned officer in the service. We have "Articles of
War" and "Regulations," and the entire discipline and government of
the army is committed to writing. There is no chance to enshroud in
mystery the ability to command. For ordinary military command, with
intelligence the chief requisite, little is required beyond courage,
firmness and good judgment. These qualities are in no respect natural
barriers for colored men.

This last story of the Negro soldier's efficiency and gallantry, told
in the pages of this book, teaches its own very simple conclusion. The
Cuban campaign has forced the nation to recognize the completion of
the Negro's evolution as a soldier in the Army of the United States.
The colored American soldier, by his own prowess, has won an
acknowledged place by the side of the best trained fighters with arms.
In the fullness of his manhood he has no rejoicing in the patronizing
paean, "the colored troops fought nobly," nor does he glow at all
when told of his "faithfulness" and "devotion" to his white officers,
qualities accentuated to the point where they might well fit an
affectionate dog. He lays claim to no prerogative other than that of a
plain citizen of the Republic, trained to the profession of arms. The
measure of his demand--and it is the demand of ten millions of his
fellow-citizens allied to him by race--is that the full manhood
privileges of a soldier be accorded him. On his record in arms, not
excluding his manifest capacity to command, the colored soldier,
speaking for the entire body of colored citizens in this country, only
demands that the door of the nation's military training school be
freely open to the capable of his race, and the avenue of promotion
from the ranks be accessible to his tried efficiency; that no
hindrance prevent competent colored men from taking their places as
officers as well as soldiers in the nation's permanent military
establishment.


FOOTNOTES:

[26] Headquarters Department of the Gulf,
New Orleans, August 22, 1862.
General Orders No. 63.

"Whereas, on the 23d day of April, in the year eighteen
hundred and sixty-one, at a public meeting of the free
colored population of the city of New Orleans, a military
organization, known as the 'Native Guards' (colored), had
its existence, which military organization was duly and
legally enrolled as a part of the militia of the State, its
officers being commissioned by Thomas O. Moore, Governor and
Commander-in-Chief of the militia of the State of Louisiana,
in the form following, that is to say:

The State of Louisiana.
(Seal of the State.)

By Thomas Overton Moore, Governor of the State of Louisiana,
and commander-in-chief of the militia thereof.

"'In the name and by the authority of the State of
Louisiana: Know ye that ---- ----, having been duly and
legally elected captain of the "Native Guards" (colored),
first division of the Militia of Louisiana, to serve for the
term of the war,

"'I do hereby appoint and commission him captain as
aforesaid, to take rank as such, from the 2d day of May,
eighteen hundred and sixty-one.

"'He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge
the duties of his office by doing and performing all manner
of things thereto belonging. And I do strictly charge and
require all officers, non-commissioned officers and privates
under his command to be obedient to his orders as captain;
and he is to observe and follow such orders and directions,
from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the
future Governor of the State of Louisiana, or other superior
officers, according to the Rules and Articles of War, and in
conformity to law.

"'In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be
made patent, and the seal of the State to be hereunto
annexed.

"'Given under my hand, at the city of Baton Rouge, on the
second day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-one.

(L.S.) (Signed) THOS. O. MOORE.
"'By the Governor:
(Signed) P.D. HARDY,
Secretary of State.

(Wilson: Black Phalanx, p. 194.)

[27] De Tocqueville: L'Ancien Regime et La Revolution, p. 125-6.

[28] Thomas Westworth Higginson: Army Life in a Black Regiment, pp.
57-8.

[29] Thomas Wentworth Higginson: Army Life in a Black Regiment, p.
261.

[30] Williams's Negro Troops in the Rebellion, pp. 339-40, quoting the
order.

[31] Williams's Negro Troops in the Rebellion, pp. 334-6, original
order quoted.

[32] See pp. 351-6 MS.

[33] Wilson: Black Phalanx, p. 211, original order quoted.

[34] Campaigns of the Civil War. F.V. Greene. The Mississippi, p. 226
et seq.

[35] Williams's Negro Troops in the Rebellion, p. 221, original order
quoted.

[36] MS. Archives of Massachusetts, Vol. 180, p. 241, quoted in
Williams's Negro Troops in the Rebellion, p. 13.




APPENDIX.


The correspondence following shows the progress of the negotiations
for the surrender of the city of Santiago and the Spanish Army, from
the morning of July 3d until the final convention was signed on the
sixteenth of the same month. This surrender virtually closed the war,
but did not restore the contending nations to a status of peace.
Twenty-three thousand Spanish soldiers had laid down their arms and
had been transformed from enemies to friends. On the tenth of August
following, a protocol was submitted by the President of the United
States, which was accepted by the Spanish cabinet on the eleventh, and
on the twelfth the President announced the cessation of hostilities,
thus closing a war which had lasted one hundred and ten days. On the
tenth of December a Treaty of Peace between the United States and
Spain was signed at Paris, which was subsequently ratified by both
nations, and diplomatic relations fully restored. The war, though
short, had been costly. One hundred and fifty million dollars had been
spent in its prosecution, and there were left on our hands the
unsolved problem of Cuba and the Philippines, which promised much
future trouble.

Within a month from the signing of the convention, the Army of
Invasion, known as the Fifth Army Corps, was on its homeward voyage,
and by the latter part of August the whole command was well out of
Cuba. Well did the soldiers themselves, as well as their friends,
realize, as the former returned from that campaign of a hundred days,
that war in the tropics was neither a pastime nor a practice march.
The campaign had tested the powers of endurance of the men to its
utmost limit. The horrors of war were brought directly to the face of
the people, as the ten thousand invalids dragged their debilitated
forms from the transports to their detention camps, or to the
hospitals, some too helpless to walk, and many to die soon after
greeting their native shores. Those who had been so enthusiastic for
the war were now quiet, and were eagerly laying the blame for the
sorrow and suffering before them upon the shoulders of those who had
conducted the war. Few stopped to think that a good part of this woe
might be justly charged to those who had constantly resisted the
establishment of an adequate standing army, and who, with inconsistent
vehemence, had urged the nation into a war, regardless of its military
equipment. The emaciated veterans arriving at Montauk were spoken of
as the evidences of "military incompetency;" they were also evidence
of that narrow statesmanship which ignores the constant suggestions of
military experience.

* * * * *

Headquarters United States Forces,
Near San Juan River, July 3, 1898--8.30 A.M.

To the Commanding General of the Spanish Forces, Santiago de Cuba.

Sir:--I shall be obliged, unless you surrender, to shell
Santiago de Cuba. Please inform the citizens of foreign
countries, and all the women and children, that they should
leave the city before 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM R. SHAFTER,
Major-General U.S.V.

Reply.

Santiago de Cuba, July 3, 1898.

His Excellency the General Commanding Forces of United States,
near San Juan River.

Sir:--I have the honor to reply to your communication of
to-day, written at 8.30 A.M., and received at 1 P.M.,
demanding the surrender of this city, or, in contrary case,
announcing to me that you will bombard this city, and that I
advise the foreigners, women and children that they must
leave the city before 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. It is my
duty to say to you that this city will not surrender, and
that I will inform the foreign consuls and inhabitants of
the contents of your message.

Very respectfully,

JOSE TORAL,
Commander-in-Chief, Fourth Corps,


Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 4, 1898.

The Commanding General, Spanish Forces, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

Sir:--I was officially informed last night that Admiral
Cervera is now a captive on board the U.S.S. Gloucester, and
is unharmed. He was then in the harbor of Siboney. I regret
also to have to announce to you the death of General Vara
del Rey at El Caney, who, with two of his sons, was killed
in the battle of July 1st. His body will be buried this
morning with military honors. His brother,
Lieutenant-Colonel Vara del Rey, is wounded and a prisoner
in my hands, together with the following officers: Captain
Don Antonio Vara del Rey, Captain Isidor Arias, Captain
Antonio Mansas, and Captain Manuel Romero, who, though
severely wounded, will all probably survive.

I also have to announce to you that the Spanish fleet, with
the exception of one vessel, was destroyed, and this one is
being so vigorously pursued that it will be impossible for
it to escape. General Pando is opposed by forces sufficient
to hold him in check.

In view of the above, I would suggest that, to save needless
effusion of blood and the distress of many people, you may
reconsider your determination of yesterday. Your men have
certainly shown the gallantry which was expected of them.

I am, sir, with great respect,

Your obedient servant,

WILLIAM R. SHAFTER,
Major-General, Commanding United States Forces.


Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 4, 1898.

To the Commanding General, Spanish Forces, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

Sir:--The fortune of war has thrown into my hands quite a
number of officers and private soldiers, whom I am now
holding as prisoners of war, and I have the honor to propose
to you that a cartel of exchange be arranged to-day, by
which the prisoners taken by the forces of Spain from on
board the Merrimac, and any officers and men of the army who
may have fallen into our hands within the past few days, may
be returned to their respective governments on the terms
usual in such cases, of rank for rank. Trusting that this
will meet with your favorable consideration, I remain,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM R. SHAFTER,
Major-General, Commanding United States Forces.


Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 4, 1898.

To the Commanding Officer, Spanish Forces, Santiago.

Sir:--It will give me great pleasure to return to the city
of Santiago at an early hour to-morrow morning all the
wounded Spanish officers now at El Caney who are able to be
carried and who will give their parole not to serve against
the United States until regularly exchanged. I make this
proposition, as I am not so situated as to give these
officers the care and attention that they can receive at the
hands of their military associates and from their own
surgeons; though I shall, of course, give them every kind
treatment that it is possible to do under such adverse
circumstances. Trusting that this will meet with your
approbation, and that you will permit me to return to you
these persons, I am,

Your very obedient servant,

WILLIAM R. SHAFTER,
Major-General, Commanding United States Forces.


Army of the Island of Cuba,
Fifth Corps, General Staff.

To His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief of the American Forces.

Excellency:--I have the honor to reply to the three
communications of your Excellency, dated to-day, and I am
very grateful for the news you give in regard to the
generals, chiefs, officers and troops that are your
prisoners, and of the good care that you give to the wounded
in your possession. With respect to the wounded, I have no
objection to receiving in this place those that your
Excellency may willingly deliver me, but I am not authorized
by the General-in-Chief to make any exchange, as he has
reserved to himself that authority. Yet I have given him
notice of the proposition of your Excellency.

It is useless for me to tell you how grateful I am for the
interest that your Excellency has shown for the prisoners
and corpse of General Vara del Rey, giving you many thanks
for the chivalrous treatment.

The same reasons that I explained to you yesterday, I have
to give again to-day--that this place will not be
surrendered.

I am, yours with great respect and consideration,

(Signed) JOSE TORAL.

In Santiago de Cuba, July 4, 1898.


Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 6, 1898.

To the Commander-in-Chief, Spanish Forces, Santiago de Cuba.

Sir:--In view of the events of the 3d instant, I have the
honor to lay before your Excellency certain propositions to
which, I trust, your Excellency, will give the consideration
which, in my judgment, they deserve.

I inclose a bulletin of the engagement of Sunday morning
which resulted in the complete destruction of Admiral
Cervera's fleet, the loss of six hundred of his officers and
men, and the capture of the remainder. The Admiral, General
Paredes and all others who escaped alive are now prisoners
on board the Harvard and St. Louis, and the latter ship, in
which are the Admiral, General Paredes and the surviving
captains (all except the captain of the Almirante Oquendo,
who was slain) has already sailed for the United States. If
desired by you, this may be confirmed by your Excellency
sending an officer under a flag of truce to Admiral Sampson,
and he can arrange to visit the Harvard, which will not sail
until to-morrow, and obtain the details from Spanish
officers and men on board that ship.

Our fleet is now perfectly free to act, and I have the honor
to state that unless a surrender be arranged by noon of the
9th instant, a bombardment will be begun and continued by
the heavy guns of our ships. The city is within easy range
of these guns, the eight-inch being capable of firing 9,500
yards, the thirteen-inch, of course, much farther. The ships
can so lie that with a range of 8,000 yards they can reach
the centre of the city.

I make this suggestion of a surrender purely in a
humanitarian spirit. I do not wish to cause the slaughter of
any more men, either of your Excellency's forces or my own,
the final result, under circumstances so disadvantageous to
your Excellency being a foregone conclusion.

As your Excellency may wish to make reference of so
momentous a question to your Excellency's home government,
it is for this purpose that I have placed the time of the
resumption of hostilities sufficiently far in the future to
allow a reply being received.

I beg an early answer from your Excellency.

I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. R. SHAFTER,
Major-General, Commanding.


Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
Camp near Santiago, July 9, 1898.

Hon. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

I forwarded General Toral's proposition to evacuate the town
this morning without consulting any one. Since then I have
seen the general officers commanding divisions, who agree
with me in that it should be accepted.

1st. It releases at once the harbor.

2d. It permits the return of thousands of women, children
and old men, who have left the town, fearing bombardment,
and are now suffering fearfully where they are, though I am
doing my best to supply them with food.

3d. It saves the great destruction of property which a
bombardment would entail, most of which belongs to Cubans
and foreign residents.

4th. It at once releases this command while it is in good
health for operations elsewhere. There are now three cases
of yellow fever at Siboney in a Michigan regiment, and if it
gets started, no one knows where it will stop.

We lose by this, simply some prisoners we do not want and
the arms they carry. I believe many of them will desert and
return to our lines. I was told by a sentinel who deserted
last night that two hundred men wanted to come, but were
afraid our men would fire upon them.

W.R. SHAFTER,
Major-General, United States Volunteers.

Reply.

Washington, D.C., July 9, 1898.

Major-General Shafter, Playa, Cuba.

In reply to your telegram recommending terms of evacuation
as proposed by the Spanish commander, after careful
consideration by the President and Secretary of War, I am
directed to say that you have repeatedly been advised that
you would not be expected to make an assault upon the enemy
at Santiago until you were prepared to do the work
thoroughly. When you are ready this will be done. Your
telegram of this morning said your position was impregnable
and that you believed the enemy would yet surrender
unconditionally. You have also assured us that you could
force their surrender by cutting off their supplies. Under
these circumstances, your message recommending that Spanish
troops be permitted to evacuate and proceed without
molestation to Holguin is a great surprise and is not
approved. The responsibility for the destruction and
distress to the inhabitants rests entirely with the Spanish
commander. The Secretary of War orders that when you are
strong enough to destroy the enemy and take Santiago, you do
it. If you have not force enough, it will be despatched to
you at the earliest moment possible. Reinforcements are on
the way of which you have already been apprised. In the
meantime, nothing is lost by holding the position you now
have, and which you regard as impregnable.

Acknowledge receipt. By order of the Secretary of War.
(Signed) H.C. CORBIN, Adjutant-General.


Headquarters United States Forces,
Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 11, 1898.

To His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief of the Spanish Forces,
Santiago de Cuba.

Sir:--With the largely increased forces which have come to
me, and the fact that I have your line of retreat securely
within my hands, the time seems fitting that I should again
demand of your Excellency the surrender of Santiago and your
Excellency's army. I am authorized to state that should your
Excellency so desire, the Government of the United States
will transport your entire command to Spain. I have the
honor to be,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM R. SHAFTER,
Major-General, Commanding.

Reply.

Army of the Island of Cuba, Fourth Corps,
July 11, 1898.

To His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces of
the United States, in the Camp of the San Juan.

Esteemed Sir:--I have the honor to advise your Eminence that
your communication of this date is received, and in reply
desire to confirm that which I said in my former
communication, and also to advise you that I have
communicated your proposition to the General-in-Chief.
Reiterating my sentiments, I am,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed) JOSE TORAL,
Commander-in-Chief of the Fourth Corps and Military Governor
of Santiago.


Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
Camp near Santiago de Cuba, July 12, 1898.

To His Excellency, Commander-in-Chief of Spanish Forces,
Santiago de Cuba.

Sir:--I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I have
already ordered a suspension of hostilities, and I will
repeat that order, granting in this manner a reasonable
time within which you may receive an answer to the message
sent to the Government of Spain, which time will end
to-morrow at 12 o'clock noon.

I think it my duty to inform your Excellency that during
this armistice I will not move any of my troops that occupy
the advanced line, but the forces that arrived to-day and
which are debarking at Siboney require moving to this camp.

I wish that your Excellency would honor me with a personal
interview to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. I will come
accompanied by the Commanding General of the American army,
and by an interpreter, which will permit you to be
accompanied by two or three persons of your staff who speak
English. Hoping for a favorable answer, I have the honor to
be,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM R. SHAFTER,
Major-General, Commanding.


Army of the Island of Cuba, Fourth Corps,
Santiago de cuba, July 12, 1898--9 P. M.

To His Excellency, the General of the American Troops.

Esteemed Sir:--I have the honor to answer your favor of this
date, inform your Excellency that in deference to your
desires I will be much honored by a conference with his
Excellency, the Commanding General of your army, and your
Excellency, to-morrow morning at the hour you have seen fit
to appoint.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed) JOSE TORAL,
Commander-in-Chief of the Fourth Army Corps.

Preliminary agreement for the capitulation of the Spanish
forces which constitute the division of Santiago de Cuba,
occupying the territory herein set forth, said capitulation
authorized by the Commander-in-Chief of the Island of Cuba,
agreed to by General Toral and awaiting the approbation of
the Government at Madrid, and subject to the following
conditions:

Submitted by the undersigned Commissioners--

Brigadier-General Don Frederick Escario, Lieutenant-Colonel
of Staff Don Ventura Fontan and Mr. Robert Mason, of the
city of Santiago de Cuba, representing General Toral,
commanding Spanish forces, to Major-General Joseph Wheeler,
U.S.V., Major-General H.W. Lawton, U.S.V., and First
Lieutenant J.D. Miley, Second Artillery, A.D.C, representing
General Shafter, commanding American forces, for the
capitulation of the Spanish forces comprised in that portion
of the Island of Cuba east of a line passing through
Aserradero, Dos Palmas, Palma Soriano, Cauto Abajo,
Escondida, Tanamo and Aguilera, said territory being known
as the Eastern District of Santiago, commanded by General
Jose Toral.

1. That pending arrangements for capitulation all
hostilities between American and Spanish forces in this
district shall absolutely and unequivocally cease.

2. That this capitulation includes all the forces and war
material in said territory.

3. That after the signing of the final capitulation the
United States agrees, with as little delay as possible, to
transport all the Spanish troops in said district to the
Kingdom of Spain, the troops, as near as possible, to embark
at the port nearest the garrison they now occupy.

4. That the officers of the Spanish Army be permitted to
retain their side arms, and both officers and enlisted men
their personal property.

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